The weekly times-record. (Valley City, N.D.) 1912-1922, 1921-11-10
INDIAN LEGENDS
READ IN CHAPEL


Thursday the faculty and the stu
dents of the State Teachers College
enioyed a series of readings given by
Miss Signe Bekkerus: about the le-
gends and myths Of some North Da-
kota Indians.
As an introduction to her readings
she stated that it is thirtytwo years
ago since Benjamin Harrison signed
the proclamation which admitted
North Dakota into the Union, and that
the history of North Dakota was not
complete without mention of the In
dians.
The titles of the Indian myths were
"The Hermit" and "The Medicine
Woman" taken from the Sioux In
dians. The other story was the lie
gend of Devils Lake." We give an
outline of two which were read.
Minnewaukan is the Indian name tor
Devils Lake, and means mysterious
water or spirit water. 1t gets the
name of Minnewaukan as a result OF
the old warfare between the Sioux ana
the Chippewas. The Sioux were camp
ed along the eastern and sou5 G1;n
shores Of Devils Lake and the emp
pewas made their camp near the lur-
tie mountains. 4+,o
The Sioux were eager for battle
against their old enemy, so they cross
ed the lake to fight the ChlppeWas
who had invaded what they called
their territory. All day the ola men
and women watched for the return OIL
the Indians. The most faithful watcn-
er was the daughter of the chief,
whose lover was with the war party.
All at once she gave cry. lney
could see the returning canoes, WIN
scalps waving from their bows, whlch
showed they had won in the battle
Everything was made ready for their
welcome, but storm arose WHICH
lasted all night. ., ,o+s
The next morning they found lots
If shattered boats, but the mysterious
Water had carried away the war party.
The chieftan's daughter grievlng Tor
her lover, Watha, leaped into the lake.
For DAYS the mournful death song
Noated on the lake broken now and
then by the despairing. wall MINNIE
waukan! Minnewaukan.
"The Hermit" is a myth about a
hermit who lived in forest. During
tho dav he would wander thru the for
est studying different plants and roots
which he used for medicine. once ~
awhile a warrior would come 10 tne
tent of this hermit and get medicine
for his tribe. o,,,
late and being very tired at once Jay
down on his bed and was just DOING
off to sleep when he was awakened
bv something rubbing against ms
He looked around and thought ne
saw a dark object Just then a voice
said "Hermit, / have come to lnVlce
Won to nv home" The Hermit sa1u
he would come, SO he arose ana lo'-
lowed. ho1o in
tho tent large enough to stick an ar
row through and stood by the door
Watching. Soon the dark object ap
neared and Just as it spoke, the hermit
lot on If the arrow The next morn
no he went out and there on the
ground lay heap OF corn ana iroll1
the heap a line of corn lay scattered
aIonu path. He followed the pain
which ended in circle. -.
1,he hermit thought that this was
Tho home of whoever it was that m
yited him. He commenced 70 u!g "a
the center Of the circle ana ioul ia
several sacks of vegetables ana ID az Il
empty sack except for Jew * kel snnS
of corn in one end and that the sa a.n
had a hole in the other corner pr, wne a;t
his arrow had pierced it. Inc hermit
TAUGHT the tribes how to keep proHrs =,
ions by digging a pit and covering n
them with earth.