ORIGIN OF OUR TRIBAL FLOWER -- THE TRAILING ARBUTUS 

Ottawa Native American Indian Lore

Many, many moons ago, there lived an old man alone in his lodge beside a stream in the thick woods. He was
heavily clad in furs; for it was winter, and all the world was covered with snow and ice.

The winds swept through the woods; searching every bush and tree for birds to chill, and chasing evil spirits over
high hills, through tangled swamps, and valleys deep. The old man went about, and peered vainly in the deep snow
for pieces of wood to sustain the fire in his lodge.

Sitting down by the last dying embers, he cried to Kigi Manito Waw-kwi (the God of Heaven) that he might not
perish. The winds howled, and blew aside the door of his lodge, when in came a most beautiful maiden. Her cheeks
were like red roses; her eyes were large, and glowed like the fawn's in the moonlight; her hair was long and black as
the raven's plumes, and touched the ground as she walked; her hands were covered with willow-buds; on her head
were wreaths of wild flowers; her clothing was sweet grass and ferns; her moccasons were fair white lilies; and, when
she breathed, the air of the lodge became warm and fragrant. 

The old man said, "My daughter, I am indeed glad to see you. My lodge is cold and cheerless; yet it will shield you
from the tempest. But tell me who you are, that you should come to my lodge in such strange clothing. Come, sit
down here, and tell me of your country and your victories, and I will tell you of my exploits. For I am Manito." 

He then filled two pipes with tobacco, that they might smoke together as they talked. When the smoke had warmed
the old man's tongue, again he said, "I am Manito. I blow my breath, and the lakes and streams become flint." The
maiden answered, "I breathe, and flowers spring up on all the plains."

The old man replied, "I breathe, and the snow covers all the earth." "I shake my tresses," returned the maiden, "and
warm rains fall from the clouds." 

"When I walk about," answered the old man, "leaves wither and fall from the trees. At my command the animals
hide themselves in the ground, and the fowls forsake the waters and fly away. Again I say, 'I am Manito.'"

The maiden made answer: "When I walk about, the plants lift up their heads, and the naked trees robe themselves in
living green; the birds come back; and all who see me sing for joy. Music is everywhere." 

As they talked the air became warmer and more fragrant in the lodge; and the old man's head drooped upon his
breast, and he slept. Then the sun came back, and the bluebirds came to the top of the lodge and sang, "We are
thirsty. We are thirsty." 

And Sebin (the river) replied, "I am free. Come, come and drink." And while the old man was sleeping, the maiden
passed her hand over his head; and he began to grow small. Streams of water poured out of his mouth; very soon he
became a small mass upon the ground; and his clothing turned to withered leaves. 

Then the maiden kneeled upon the ground, took from her bosom the most precious pink and white flowers, and,
hiding them under the faded leaves, and breathing upon them, said: "I give you all my virtues, and all the sweetness
of my breath; and all who would pick thee shall do so on bended knees." 

Then the maiden moved away through the woods and over the plains; all the birds sang to her; and wherever she
stepped, and nowhere else, grows our tribal flower -- the trailing arbutus.