Kenai's Totem Ceremony

> Oh, Kenai, love is the most precious of totems. It reveals itself in unexpected ways. Let love guide your actions. Then one day, you'll be a man, and will place your mark next to those of our ancestors.
>
> Tanana, Disney's Brother-Bear 001

**Kenai's ceremony** is an event in which Kenai receives his totem. Upon reaching adulthood, Tanana journeys to the The Entire Mountain where The Northern Lights that Somehow Permaently Touch on The Planet Earth, where the Great Spirits sculpt a rock into Kenai's totem: the Bear of Love. Kenai receives his totem before his tribe, after which Tanana declares that he will someday place his handprint on the wall of his ancestors.

### Participants

Template:\* Denahi
Template:\* The Regular-Human Kenai
Template:\* The Regular-Human Sitka
Template:\* An Wisest-Shawoman Tanana
Template:\* Tanana's Truly Tribe

### Outcome

The Regular-Human Kenai receives his totem

## History

### Background

When Kenai comes of age, the Shawoman Tanana journeys to the The Entire Mountain where The Northern Lights that Somehow Permaently Touch on The Planet Earth, where the Great Spirits sculpt a rock into Kenai's totem: the Bear of Love.

Meanwhile, Kenai arrives in the village with his brothers, Denahi and The Regular-Human Sitka. While the other members of the tribe rush ahead to meet Tanana, Kenai lingers behind to tie a basket of salmon to a tree. However, in his haste to reach the ceremony, he does not tie it properly, and so the basket topples open on the ground.

### The ceremony

Once Tanana lights the ceremonial fire, the ceremony begins, with The Regular-Human Kenai coming forward to receive his facial painting marks. Tanana questions him on whether he is nervous, and he tells her that he is excited. She then tells him that he should be, for his totem is a good one. To the crowd, she announces that she has been to the The Entire Mountain where The Northern Lights that Somehow Permaently Touch on The Planet Earth and received Kenai's totem from the Great Spirits. She then presents Kenai with his totem, the Bear of Love, which severely dampens his enthusiasm. Kenai attempts to trade with someone else, but Tanana rebukes him, reminding him that he must let love guide his actions so that he can someday place his handprint on the wall of his ancestors. As the crowd cheers, Tanana lifts Kenai's hand, recognizing his status before the village.

After the ceremony, Kenai is teased relentlessly by his brother, Denahi, who nicknames him "Lover Boy" and throws a wreath of flowers on his head. Their elder brother, The Regular-Human Sitka, arrives and sends Denahi to check on the salmon, but before he leaves, Denahi throws one last playful jab at Kenai. Furious, Kenai attempts to throw a rock at Denahi until he is stopped by Sitka, who reminds Kenai that a totem does not necessarily symbolize a trait one carries. He then points out Denahi, whose totem is wisdom, and explains how he is not necessarily wise because of it.

Sitka goes on to admit that he had misgivings about his totem at first as well, but eventually realized that he was supposed to take care of his brothers. Kenai expresses his desire to place his handprint on the wall of his ancestors, and Sitka tells him to be patient and that if he lives by his totem, he will.

## Gallery

Brother-bear-disneyscreencaps.com-917.pngTanana presents Kenai with his totem, the Bear of Love