The Legend of the Birch Tree – told by Anishinaabemowin teacher Kenny Pheasant.
TRANSCRIPT:
This is a story of a little boy, Gwiizenhs that was born many winters ago in these great lakes area. When he got a little older, he was given a spirit name Wiigwas.
Wiigwas had many gifts from the creator. He always helped others. He helped with gathering firewood, picking berries for food, hunting, and fishing.
He helped the elders and medicine people to gather roots and herbs for medicine. Mshkiki Giipikibidoon.
Then at one time a warring tribe invaded the area where they lived. Wiigwas went into battle and was killed when trying to help a wounded warrior. He was brought home and buried in white leather buckskins. He was buried as you entered the village.
As time went on and the moons passed the people noticed a tree grew where he was buried, it was covered in white bark and the people realized that they could tap the tree to make syrup, and the bark could be made to make plates and bowls and the wood itself was used to make Toboggans and firewood to cook food and to keep warm.
They called the tree Wiigwas. So Wiigwas even in his death was still helping the people.