Bear Clan, Origin of the Bear Clan Medicine Bear Clan people are often healers and are taught to practice the traits of reverence and quiet. Bear teaches us strength and gentleness. It reminds us not to use our strength towards another, unless there is no other choice. It is far easier to strike out, than to control ones temper. A strong person does not use their strength to intimidate others. Bear Clan members are generally leaders within their community and fight for their families best interests. A Bear has two sides to his personality. On one hand he is curious, cheerful, good-natured, and deliberate. On the other hand, they can be quick to anger, because they are sure of their own power, and will defend their family to the death. Bears only enemies are man and forest fires. The Bear is a desirable ally and powerful spirit. Bears, like men, can walk on their back legs, and they tend to eat the same things as humans. Bears use many sounds to communicate: whoofs, sniffs, roars, growls, moans, and meows. All these sounds are Bear Talk. Below is one version the Six Nations story of the origin of the Bear Clan medicine:spring time black bears Once upon a time, a sickly old man, covered with sores, entered an Indian village where over each wigwam was placed the sign of their particular clan. For example, the Beaver Clan member had a beaver skin, and the Deer Clan had a deer skin hanging near the doorway. The old man went to each door asking for food and lodging. However, everyone was repulsed by this old mans appearance and were afraid to let him near. The Wolf, Turtle, and Heron Clan members all told him to go away. The deer, the snipe, and the others did the same. Just about the time this man was to give up, he came to the home of an old woman of the Bear Clan. She was a kindly old woman who asked him to come into her longhouse and she made him a bed of skins to lie upon. The woman asked the man about his health, and he told her to go to the forest and gather certain herbs, barks, and berries. The woman went to the forest and collected all that she was told. She prepared a potion according to the Old Mans instructions and he miraculously healed. However, the man suddenly had another ailment. She again went to the woods and fields and brought back all the herbs, and continued in this manner until the man had shown her the cures to all the ailments of mankind. This went on for days until the Woman of the Bear Clan had learned all the cures and portions. His last instruction were for her to grow a Hemlock Tree in front of her longhouse. The Woman was amazed at how tall this tree grew in a short time. It stood well above all the other trees in the village. The Hemlock could be seen and identified her home as a place of healing. The Old Man suddenly changed into a much younger, strong man. He then revealed to the Old Woman that he was the Creator. He had come to find a worthy receiver of the powers of Medicine. Since the Bear Clan Woman was the only one who would offer him food and shelter, she was given the gift of healing, and Bear Clan is still The Keepers of Medicine today.
Posted on: Sat, 25 Oct 2014 13:25:56 +0000