It is not hard to believe that stories associated with the prominent Big Dipper asterism can be found all across the Northern Hemisphere. What is incredible, however, is that the asterism’s connection to the hunt of a great beast can be found spanning Eurasian and Indigenous American starlore. There is evidence that this particular motif, known as the Cosmic Hunt, dates back to human mythology from the Paleolithic Period, predating the crossing of the Bering Strait some 15,000 years ago (1). The creature, hunters, and overall message have taken on localized variations across the world, but the theme has remained largely the same. I spoke yesterday of the hunt of Callisto by her son Arcas from the Ancient Greek canon. Today, I will focus on the story of another great bear from Ininewuk, or Cree, First Nation canon as told in Atchakosuk: Ininewuk Stories of the Stars by Wilfred Buck of the Opaskwayak Cree Nation.
Long ago, a gigantic bear named Mista Muskwa, perhaps a now-extinct short-faced bear, roamed the land. Mista Muskwa was a force of destruction, and everywhere he went he razed homes and plant life and killed anyone who dared get in his way. The other animals, tired of the situation, called a meeting to discuss what should be done about Mista Muskwa. There was hardly an animal not in attendance as they all feared they would be next in the bear’s wave of terror. Many testified about the horrors committed at the bear’s hands, or claws. Some said they had attempted to reason with the bear, but he would not listen to reason. The solution was clear: the bear had to be driven from the land.
The greatest hunters and trackers were chosen for the task. They were known as Tehpakoop Pinesisuk, the Seven Birds. Pihpihciw, the Robin, was the greatest hunter among them and the leader. The other members of the group were Picikîskosîs, Wîskicâk, Omîmîw, Kwîhkwîsiw, Ohtawkêhow, and Cîpâhyâs, the Chickadee, Grey Jay, Pigeon, Blue Jay, Horned Owl, and Saw-whet Owl, respectively (2, 3). The hunters made ready to fly out, but not all the animals agreed with the plan. Kâhkâkiwak, the Ravens, led comfortable lives by following Mista Muskwa and feeding on his leftovers, and so they found the bear first and warned him. Outraged, Mista Muskwa set off the find the hunters himself.
The confrontation began as the two parties met. Despite his ferocious nature, however, Mista Muskwa failed to scare his hunters away. He soon realized this, and before any blood was drawn he fled, “as all bullies do when confronted with determination and resolve,” according to Wilfred Buck (4). Tehpakoop Pinesisuk pursued, and as the chase quickened the hunters and the bear began to rise into the night sky. As they rose, Pihpihciw landed a mortal blow on Mista Muskwa. The blood from the wound fell to the land and stained the broad leaves of the deciduous plants. For this reason, these plants turn all shades of red in Autumn. Hunters and hunt continued upwards until they were placed in the night sky.
Mista Muskwa became the Big Dipper asterism, while Tehpakoop Pinesisuk became the seven bright stars of Corona Borealis. Pihpihciw received the highest honors in becoming the brightest star in the constellation. The star is also known as Alphecca, from the Arabic “Al-Fakkah” for “the broken” (5). Pihpihciw’s descendants carry permanent reminders of the bravery they displayed against Mista Muskwa. One drop of the bear’s blood landed on the breast of his attacker, giving robins their distinctive red markings. Furthermore, they were granted a very special egg, one that was the color of the sky and bore star-like speckles. To this day, as the night sky rotates far above the Earth, Pihpihciw and the other companions continue to chase down the great bear, an eternal warning to those who would cause wanton destruction. (4)
References
d'Huy, Julien. (2013). A Cosmic Hunt in the Berber sky: A phylogenetic reconstruction of Palaeolithic mythology. Les Cahiers de l'AARS. 16. 93-106.
Buck, W. (2009). Atchakosuk: Ininewuk Stories of the Stars. First Nations Perspective Journal, Volume 2, 71-83. https://www.mfnerc.org/wp-content/uploads/2012/11/008_Buck.pdf
Figures
Buck, W. (2009). Atchakosuk: Ininewuk Stories of the Stars. First Nations Perspective Journal, Volume 2, 71-83. https://www.mfnerc.org/wp-content/uploads/2012/11/008_Buck.pdf
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