In the world before this world, before there were people, and before things were like they are now, everyone was alive and walking around like we do.
All Creation talked about the coming changes to their world.
They had been told that soon a new kind of people would be living on this earth. Even they, the Animal and Plant people would be changed.
Now they had to decide how the People-To-Be would live and what they would eat.
The Four Food Chief of all Creations are Black Bear, Chief for all the creatures on the land, Spring Salmon, Chief for all creatures in the water, Bitterroot, Chief for things under the ground, Saskatoon Berry, Chief for things growing on the land.
They held many meetings and talked for a long time about what the People-To-Be would need to live. All of the Chief thought and thought.
“What can we give to the People-To-Be to eat that is already here on earth?”
“There seems to be no answer.”
Finally, the three other Chiefs said to Bear, “You are the oldest and wisest among us. You tell us what you are going to do.”
Bear said, “Since you have placed your trust in me, I will have to do the best I can.”
He thought for a long time and finally asked, “I will give myself, and all the animals that I am Chief over, to be food for the People-To-Be.”
Then he said to Salmon, “What will you do?”
Salmon answered, “You are indeed the wisest among us. I will also give myself and all the things that live in the water for food for the People-To-Be.”
Bitterroot, who was the Chief of all the roots under the ground, said, “I will do the same.”
Saskatoon Berry was last. She said, “I will do the same.” All the good things growing above the ground will be food for the People-to-be.
Chief Bear was happy because there would be enough food for the People-To-Be. Bear said, “Now I will lay my life down to make these things happen.”
Because the great Chief Bear had given his life, all of creation gathered and sang songs to bring him back to life. That was how they helped heal each other in that world. They all took turns singing, but Bear did not come back to life.
Finally, it came to Fly. He sang, “You laid your body down. You laid your life down.” His song was powerful. Bear came back to life.
Then Bear spoke for all the Chiefs, “From now on when the People-To-Be come, everything will have its own song. The People-To-Be will use these songs to help each other as you have helped me.”
That is how food was given to our people. This is how songs were given to our people.
That is how giving and helping one another was and is still taught to our people.
This is why we must respect even the smallest, weakest person for what they can contribute.
This is why we give thanks and honour to what is given to us.
- Okanagan Indian Band
