BEAR TRACKS

15" x 40"  double matted and framed in gunmetal
a papercast edition of 100

A long time ago, a Cherokee boy, we can’t remember his name, had begun to spend more and more time in the woods. His father called him aside one day and asked, "why do you spend so much time in the forest, and no longer eat you meals with the clan?"

"Father" the boy answered " life is much simpler in the forest, everything is provided there, and I’m going there soon to live. You should come and see for yourself."

So the boy and his father went into the woods. Upon their return the father spoke to the clan, enjoining them to leave their home and live in the forest. The clan fasted for seven days, in preparation for the move. During this time the people took on animal characteristics, hair began to grow on their bodies.

The council came together and concluded they must persuade the clan to stay with people, and not move into the forest. When the council reached the clan house it was empty, the people were already walking in among the trees. They called out the last man’s name. He stopped and turned around, but he had already changed into the bear.

He told the people, "The bear will always be the friend of the Cherokee. If you ever need food, we will give you this flesh and we will be reborn from the blood. If you need clothing, we will give you this fine robe."

Now we have no clan to honor the bear. Everyone knows the bear are Cherokee.

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