Long Arrow and the Elk Dogs
A young deaf boy's journey to retrieve sacred elk dogs from a mystical underwater realm transforms him into a great chief and brings prosperity to his people.
Chapter 13
Long Arrow and the Elk Dogs
Sacred Wisdom of the Ancient Grandmothers
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Placing the setting of some of the Napi stories as being told at the Kainai Sun Dance caused Chief Shot Both Sides to recall one of his old favorites that had been related to him in the same setting, with Standing White Bear as one of the characters, even as he himself was listening to the tale. Imparting a story within a story was part of the intricate skill the elders had learned as narrators. The story was not related to Napi, but was one of essential importance to the Winter (Ermine) Weasel People. It was the tale of the coming of the horse to their people.
The sacred one’s tipi, where Standing White Bear resided with his honored great-grandparents, was vacant one fine morning at the Belly Buttes, where they had all gathered for the summer celebration. The air was still cool, and a gentle breeze swayed the amber prairie grasses to and fro, as if they were executing a graceful dance—the same movements later incorporated into the grass dancers’ performances. Long Staff Woman was overseeing the preparations for the first of the great feasts with the other women who had already arrived. Chief Strikes At Dawn was visiting with other men from the Horn Society as they moved about their own special area of lodges. Standing White Bear had long since met with the other children his age, and they had created their own mock village at the far reaches of the camp.
“Why do you always get to be the chief?” young Stands Alone questioned Standing White Bear. Standing proudly and erect, with his arms crossed over his chest, the boy bellowed out as if in command, “Because I am of the same bloodline as many great chiefs in our family. Besides, I am an apprentice to our Head Chief.”
An observer sat inconspicuously between formations of medium to large reddish-colored boulders and thoroughly enjoyed the scene. As a small group of warriors and their women moved the products of their hunt toward their camp on travois, they came upon the gentleman and stopped abruptly.
The adult smiled, stood, and lifted his hand in greeting, saying, “Ho, I come in peace. I am of your people, yet I have wandered far from home these many years. I seek only a warm place to sleep and a meal. I seek counsel with your great chief, for I have much to tell him about the neighboring tribes and their plans.”
Standing White Bear laughed with great vigor and ran to the gentleman, taking his hand in greeting and almost shouting with excitement, “Uncle, I am glad you have arrived!” He turned to his people and announced, “My people, this is my father’s brother, Uncle Many Plumes. We will make him welcome in our village!”
Uncle Many Plumes found himself recalling when he and his brother—almost identical in appearance to Standing White Bear—had played similar games in their boyhood days. He was swept up in the moment and was no longer a grown man, but a child again, playing with his brother and their friends. How proud the little Head Chief was to have his beloved uncle join in their game. Uncle rode his “pony” in a place of honor beside the young chief, and they dismounted at the main camp they had created from felled cottonwood branches.
The little chief named Uncle the most honored guest at the hunting celebration, and they all settled beneath the shade of the old cottonwood tree in a circle, waiting for Uncle Many Plumes to speak.
“Clan members, you are all aware of how brave and smart children can be, yes?” he asked. They all nodded in the most mature fashion they could muster. “Well,” he continued, “I will tell you now about a special boy this fine day in your camp, at your most wonderful hunting celebration.”
Murmurs of affirmation followed.
“Long ago, before the oldest elders of our tribe were born, there was a boy who lost the ability to hear as a toddler,” Many Plumes began. “His parents loved him greatly and named him Long Arrow.” He stretched his hands wide, gesturing the length of a long arrow. “He had a beautiful older sister named Pretty River Woman, who cared for him with great affection. But great misfortune befell the children when their parents perished. The boy was just four summers old at the time, and his sister had already seen eight summers pass. Pleased by her obedience and skill, a family from another camp adopted Pretty River Woman, but no one wanted Long Arrow, whom they considered unable to communicate.”
The little tribe looked at one another with sadness.
“Pretty River Woman was told another family would adopt her little brother, but this was not so. They treated him like a cur dog and only let him follow the camp dogs, competing for scraps of food thrown out. He slept with the dog people, who cared for him, but he feared humans, as they would kick him or throw stones if he came too near their camp. His clothes were discarded remnants of others. In winter, he and the dogs found warmth in caves and rock crevices.
One hot summer day, while running far behind the travois, Long Arrow suddenly felt a sharp impact in his head. A strange substance flowed from his ears. He wiped it away with the edge of his shirt—and then something miraculous happened: he could hear.”
Many Plumes paused, cupping his ear for emphasis before continuing.
“He had not heard sound since he was a small child. His dog companions sensed his excitement and barked joyfully. He laughed and then heard a rushing, gurgling sound—beautiful and alive. He followed it and found a spring-fed stream singing over rocks and reeds. He and the dogs played in the water, rejoicing.
The next day, Long Arrow ventured onto the prairie and encountered a kindly old warrior chief, Good Running. Good Running had never approved of the boy’s treatment and decided this was a chance to make amends. He offered Long Arrow a piece of buffalo meat.”
The audience followed intently.
“Good Running spoke to Long Arrow, but the boy, having not heard human speech in so long, did not understand. Yet he responded to the tone of the man’s voice. Good Running gave him liver, kidney, and tongue. The boy laughed and gestured in gratitude. Moved by compassion, Good Running said, ‘Child, I will adopt you as my grandson.’”
Long Arrow followed him cautiously.
When they reached camp, the boy hesitated to enter. Good Running took his hand and led him inside. His wife, Makes Night Song, was initially concerned, but the boy’s gentle nature softened her heart. She fed him, and he embraced her in gratitude. That night, he fell asleep hearing the comfort of their voices.
They taught him language and care. Yet some in the tribe still rejected him. One evening, he asked what he might do to earn their respect.
Good Running told him of a mystical spirit people beneath a faraway lake, who kept powerful creatures called pono-ka-mi-tai—“elk dogs,” larger than elk yet gentle and strong. Many warriors had tried to find them, but none had returned.
Long Arrow accepted the quest.
For a year, he prepared—purifying himself, learning prayers, healing knowledge, and sacred songs. A medicine man gifted him a shield, a medicine bag, and painted him with sacred designs. His grandparents supported him, and his grandfather received a dream from the spirit ancestors, giving him a buffalo stone to guide the boy.
At dawn, Long Arrow departed with supplies, prayers, and blessings.
After many days of travel, he met a water spirit who guided him toward the great lake. There, he was led beneath the water into a hidden world where he met the spirit chief, who confirmed the prophecy: only one without fear and with a pure heart would succeed.
The chief gave him gifts: a herd of elk dogs, sacred weapons, a white buffalo robe, and a bone whistle of great spiritual power.
After many moons, Long Arrow returned home riding the elk dogs. The people were initially afraid, but soon accepted the miracle. He brought blessings, healing, and transformation to his people.
That night, the chief declared him leader, passing down the headdress and war staff. The people celebrated as the white buffalo robe shimmered and sang with unseen medicine.
Many Plumes finished the story.
The children sat in silence, reflecting deeply. Standing White Bear no longer desired to be chief in play; the weight of responsibility now felt real. Leadership, he understood, meant duty, not simply status.
They rose quietly and thanked Uncle Many Plumes. As they walked away, the children carried with them thoughts of courage, responsibility, spirit, and the meaning of belonging to a strong and sacred people.
