AKA: Msi-kinepikwa, Pita-skog, Sinti lapitta, Olobit, Antlered Serpent, Oniare, Misiginebig

Tribal Affiliations: Cherokee, Dakota, Ojibwe, Cree, Shawnee, Chero, Muscogee, Yuchi, Natchez, Tewa, Algonquin, Ottawa, Menominee, Iroquois

Once there was a girl who refused to be satisfied by simple things－trinkets, food, even people. Her parents grew weary of her incessant complaints, but, most of all, they feared she would die alone. Playing matchmaker, they set up meetings with optimistic suitors; each was met with a rude remark: “He’s too fat”, “Did you see how shabby his clothing was”, “I didn’t like how he spoke”, or , “No, that one won’t do.”

One night, while the family was home sitting beside a low-flickering fire, a strangely dressed, young warrior came to their door. “Dahjoh,” the mother called to her daughter. “Come inside,” she motioned to the warrior to sit as they waited for her to enter the room, but he remained inside, just out of the light.

“I have come to ask you to be my wife,” he said, pointing at Dahjoh. Looking at…