Notes on the Introduction of the Horse to the Ojibwe People

Context and Background

• The Ojibwe were initially not a horse-riding people; their environment consisted of untamed landscapes such as lakes, rivers, bogs, and marshes.
• They were a people connected with the beings like Lynx, Wolf, Bear, and Eagle.
• The horse was a new and unfamiliar creature, described as a "spirit dog," with no existing word for it in the Ojibwe language.
• The narrative is passed down through generations, becoming a shared story among the people.

Introduction of the Horse

• The first horse was brought by the narrator's great-grandfather, Shabagisik (Slanting Sky), from Manitoba.
• Shabagisik was a shaman and a trapper known for spending extensive time in the wilderness.
• He possessed a powerful medicine known as "sending thought," enabling communication over great distances.

Arrival of the Horse

• Shabagisik returned to the camp leading a massive black animal, described as large as a moose but without antlers.
• The horse was initially feared due to its unfamiliarity and imposing presence.
• It was a Percheron, a draft horse, used for traveling long distances and bearing heavy loads.

Cultural Impact

• The presence of the horse brought new capabilities: hauling carcasses, aiding in tree cutting, and facilitating travel through deep snow.
• The horse was lovingly named "Kichi Animush," meaning Great Dog.

Shabagisik's Teachings

• Shabagisik called a gathering at the sacred teaching rocks, a place now lost.
• He shared the teachings and messages he received from the horse during a fasting and prayer period.
• The horse symbolized impending change, warning of transformations as swift as lightning and as impactful as thunder.
• It was seen as a spirit teaching for the people to adapt to future changes.

The Change

• The arrival of European settlers (referred to as "genregush") integrated the horse into their lives.
• Riding horses became a sign of honor but also led to being labeled "horse thieves" by settlers.
• Shabagisik emphasized the necessity to adapt to change symbolized by "riding the horses of change."

Legacy

• Despite initial fear, the horse became a beloved part of the community.
• When treaty men discovered the camp, they named the people after the horse, resulting in the family name "Indian Horse."