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The Secrets of Topa: Grandmother’S Story
The Secrets of Topa: Grandmother’S Story
The Secrets of Topa: Grandmother’S Story
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The Secrets of Topa: Grandmother’S Story

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Topa is a village where the game is good, the river flows clean and plentiful, and life is pleasant for all its people. As the sun rises one day, Topas medicine man, Seebona, makes his prayers. Suddenly, the bliss is shattered by the frightened screams of children playing at the river. Moments later, the smallest child, Kanobee, is carried by a black bear into the woods. The horrified villagers fear she is lost forever. Only Seebona thinks it is meant to be.

Many years later during the Warm Seasons Celebration, two large shadows appear in front of the ceremonial fire. As the growls of black bears permeate throughout the moonlit setting, only Seebona smiles as the rest of the villagers tremble in fear. But soon a young girl is revealed just as Seebona and the two bears disappear. Kanobee, now called Nollkata, takes the elderly medicine mans place, determined to not only save her nation but also protect its way of life. Now only time will tell if she will be able to achieve all she desires.

The Secrets of Topa traces the present and past lives of a villages people as a powerful medicine woman attempts to honor the Mother Earth, impart the wisdom of the Great Spirit, and carry on a legacy.

LanguageEnglish
PublisherAbbott Press
Release dateMar 14, 2014
ISBN9781458213945
The Secrets of Topa: Grandmother’S Story
Author

Morning Sun

Morning Sun is a storyteller who sees events in her mind’s eye and is often astounded by outcomes. The former registered nurse and current business owner lives in a small town in West Texas where she serves as matriarch of her family and provides spiritual readings.

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    Book preview

    The Secrets of Topa - Morning Sun

    The

    SECRETS

    of

    TOPA

    GRANDMOTHER’S STORY

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    By Morning Sun

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    Copyright © 2014 Pamela Robinson, Morning Sun.

    All rights reserved. No part of this book may be used or reproduced by any means, graphic, electronic, or mechanical, including photocopying, recording, taping or by any information storage retrieval system without the written permission of the publisher except in the case of brief quotations embodied in critical articles and reviews.

    Abbott Press books may be ordered through booksellers or by contacting:

    Abbott Press

    1663 Liberty Drive

    Bloomington, IN 47403

    www.abbottpress.com

    Phone: 1-866-697-5310

    Because of the dynamic nature of the Internet, any web addresses or links contained in this book may have changed since publication and may no longer be valid. The views expressed in this work are solely those of the author and do not necessarily reflect the views of the publisher, and the publisher hereby disclaims any responsibility for them.

    Any people depicted in stock imagery provided by Thinkstock are models, and such images are being used for illustrative purposes only.

    Certain stock imagery © Thinkstock.

    ISBN: 978-1-4582-1396-9 (sc)

    ISBN: 978-1-4582-1395-2 (hc)

    ISBN: 978-1-4582-1394-5 (e)

    Library of Congress Control Number: 2014901474

    Abbott Press rev. date: 03/07/2014

    This book is dedicated to my husband and family,

    children, grandchildren and generations to come. I will

    be forever grateful for their support and wisdom as they

    have been and will be my most powerful teachers.

    SPECIAL ACKNOWLEDGMENT

    Cover: Photographer – Anthony Thosh Collins

    Picture: Jeri Brunoe, (Wasco)

    Secrets are truths waiting to be shared and once they are spoken, the Universe is once more in balance.

    Grandmother

    CONTENTS

    Preface

    SEEBONA

    Chapter 1   The Black Bears Awaken Early

    Chapter 2   The Black Bears Dance

    Chapter 3   Mountain of Dreams

    Chapter 4   Journeys of Life

    Chapter 5   They Bring Sickness

    NOLLKATA’S MEDICINE

    Chapter 6   Nollkata, The Healer

    Chapter 7   The Great Elk

    Chapter 8   Michaecaule Lopesay

    NEW BEGINNINGS

    Chapter 9   John’s Journey Back to Topa

    Chapter 10   Rainbow Warrior Visits the Mountain of Dreams

    Chapter 11   The Spirit Fan

    Chapter 12   Polay, Mother of Nollkata

    Chapter 13   The Pain of Wanting

    Chapter 14   The Cycle of Life, Koona

    Chapter 15   Blue Lake Man

    THE CHANGES BEGIN

    Chapter 16   The Last Great Gathering of Nations

    Chapter 17   Nollkata Gives Birth

    Chapter 18   The Great Sacrifice

    Chapter 19   Topa, the Safe Haven for All Nations

    Chapter 20   Peace over War

    Chapter 21   Fish Woman

    Chapter 22   Kaya’s Special Gifts

    Chapter 23   The Fort

    Chapter 24   A Good Deed Changes Everything

    Chapter 25   The Blanket

    Chapter 26   Rainbow Children

    Epilogue

    About the Author

    PREFACE

    I WAS ONCE TOLD BY a very wise woman that if you had one drop of Native American blood in your heritage that you should be treated as a full blood, as Native American blood is so powerful. I would have to agree as my family lines have Choctaw and Kiowa blood, and the Red Road has called to me as the drum sings to my heart and soul. Participation in Native rituals opened my eyes to see how traditions, rituals and stories hold together families and whole nations… So many of the Native American traditions were forever lost and whole tribes vanished from Mother Earth from the struggle for the control of this land and its r iches.

    The village of Topa holds the secrets, traditions and dreams of all those lost traditions and tribes. While a work of fiction, I could but hope that the village of Topa really does still exist, somewhere, being protected and nourished by those beings that understand the dark side and the Light of the human Spirit, waiting for the time to reveal its location when the Light outshines the dark.

    More than 20 years ago, I began to tell a story to entertain and delight. It was as if I was being shown a movie and the characters and places were as real to me as the people listening. One story became two and then many, about this mystical village, Topa, as the characters and events progressed and revealed themselves to me.

    All my elders have entered the other side, leaving me the Matriarch of my family. I realized that I had been entrusted with the traditions and stories of my ancestors and that I must share these with the generations to come. This gave me a real appreciation for the stories of my Grandmother and Mother as they were always sharing with me interesting stories about our family. At the time, I certainly didn’t understand the importance of their sharing and even today wish I could ask them so many questions and once again listen to their voices. I carry on that same tradition with my family of sharing the family history and stories.

    Although my background is not in writing, but in nursing and business, I felt compelled to write down these stories. As a USO Volunteer in the amputee and burn wards of an Army hospital, I have been privileged to witness the courage of wounded young soldiers straight from the battlefields of Viet Nam. I would also specialize in newborns and witness births of human beings and the strength of the human Spirit in a newborn intensive care unit. Being present to observe human beings at their best and worst of times gave me a unique insight and understanding of Spirit. Later in my life, my father became ill, and I took over the family business, which today with my children, we continue to operate as the small business my parents began years ago.

    I would like to thank Mary Grace Rodriguez whose talents and editing helped put Topa on the printed page. Her encouragement and support was and shall remain invaluable to me. Mary Grace lives, edits and writes in Texas. Her poems have appeared in various literary formats including a chapbook entitled Long Story Short, which was published in 1999 by Wings Press. She earned her MA in English from Texas A & M University, and has taught at colleges in San Antonio and University of Houston.

    To my best friend Jeri Brunoe, whose picture graces the front cover, I am forever grateful for her Spirit, as she opened my eyes to see and showed me what true friendship really looks like. It is because of her influence and love that the story began and continues. It is Jeri’s sweet and powerful presence that graces the cover of this book. To my Spirit Sister, Paulette Glenn, I thank you for being my anchor in many a storm. To my other Spirit Sisters, Robbie Dean, Latane, Blue Skies, Ama, Angela, Frances, Jacqui, Nona, Melinda, Lynn, Pattie Paulette S., Dr. Jane, Eagle Woman, Pam, Karen, Betty, Grace, Pearl, Jakata, One Who Cries For Joy, Morning Star, Reda, Sandy, Mary Ellen and all the human beings that have touched my life, I am forever grateful.

    Grandmother was a wise and gentle soul with the Spirit of a Bear and the stubbornness of a Snapping Turtle. We would walk and talk about the world around us when I visited her, and each night she would tell me wonderful stories about my ancestors. She swore me to secrecy, however, and made me promise never to share any of the stories she imparted to me until…

    She told me on many occasions that I would know when to share these secrets of our ancestors. The time has finally arrived to put them into the written word. She warned me that most would only see them as stories, but those who could commune with Spirit would know their Truths.

    Now I share some of Grandmother’s secrets of Topa with you.

    Seebona

    True power comes from deep inside the soul that is connected to Mother Earth and the Great Spirit.

    Grandmother

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    Chapter One

    THE BLACK BEARS AWAKEN EARLY

    M ANY FAMILIES LIVED IN THE village Topa. Their lodges could be seen for many miles in this beautiful valley. The people had lived there for many sunrises and sunsets. The game was good, and the river flowed clean and plentiful. Life was good fo r all.

    One morning, as Father Sun rose and women rustled around to stir the night fires and prepare for their day’s work, many skins were being prepared for the Growing and Warm Time Celebration. This celebration was in response to the snows melting and the animals stirring in plenty again and emerging from their winter hiding places. The Standing People would once again provide shade from the warmth of Father Sun, and there were smiles on the women’s faces as they greeted Him. The men stretched from a good night’s sleep and began their morning routines by also greeting Father Sun. Children wiped the sleep from their eyes and followed their parents around, trying their best to be grown-up and responsible human beings.

    The medicine man, Seebona, of the Topa village made his prayers for the birth of the new day and the coming of the Taloka Celebration. All was well and beautiful.

    But the bliss of this new day was shattered by the frightened screams of children. As was usual, they had gone to draw water from the river. Now the entire village froze. Never had they heard their children scream like this. Everyone ran to the river, hearts pounding with fear for their children.

    They were greeted with a horrifying scene—two black bears on hind legs, extended to their full lengths. The bears stood between the children and safety. Although the children could have jumped into the river, their survival in the swift, cold water was as improbable as passing the two huge bears unscathed.

    The black bears were growling and gnashing their teeth. The men had brought their weapons, because everyone was afraid as well as amazed. Never had black bears come from their winter sleeping grounds so early. Everyone in the village stood as frozen as the ground under their feet. No one seemed to know what to do. This was most unusual and strange.

    Seebona stepped forward. He brought forth his powerful medicine with confidence and knowing, and everyone relaxed. He began rattling a slow, rhythmic beat like that of a heartbeat.

    Everyone gasped as the bears stepped toward him.

    He continued rattling the hypnotic beat and then began singing. The song was much like a lullaby but was full of power like none other they had ever heard him sing before. Soon Seebona was dancing a joyful dance.

    One of the black bears dropped to the ground and ran toward the children. The men drew their weapons, but Seebona signaled for them to stop. The men obeyed their medicine man, respecting his wisdom. One black bear then ran toward the children and seized the smallest child, Kanobee, by the dress and ran off into the woods. The second bear was gone just as quickly.

    Polay, Kanobee’s mother, ran to Seebona, crying and screaming her heartache. Only a heartbroken mother could make such a sound. It pulled at the heart of even the strongest man. But Seebona held his ground and showed no emotion.

    Polay fell upon the ground and begged him to explain why the black bears had taken her only daughter. He replied, It was meant to be, so give thanks and prayers.

    No one understood. They had all greatly respected Seebona for many years, but now it seemed he had lost his mind.

    It was late that afternoon before the village resumed its routine. No one could shut out the mother cries of Polay. Kanobee was her first and only child. Her husband, Tapakopa, the village chief, had died last warm season when the men were hunting. He had saved a young boy from being killed by a black bear. The black bear had then killed Tapakopa and now had taken his only child, whom he had never seen. Polay could not find comfort anywhere. Her life was at an end, it seemed.

    The village slept again, an uneasy sleep. All was quiet. Polay wept quietly and rocked as if she were holding the small Kanobee. She looked up to the sky, and Seebona stood before her as if in a dream. He began speaking to her. She didn’t hear him at first, but soon her crying stopped, and she listened.

    The next morning, Polay went about her routine as if nothing had happened. Everyone was truly amazed. Polay seemed to be joyful and happy, but no sound came from her lips. When Seebona was consulted, he simply said, It was meant to be, so give thanks and prayers.

    Life went on in the village of Topa. Polay never spoke another word. Kahe, a strong hunter and brother of Tapakopa, took her as his wife, and they lived happily.

    Many seasons passed. Each Warm Season Celebration, the story of Kanobee and her father, Tapakopa, was told very quietly around each home fire.

    The Warm Season Celebration had begun. Polay sat with her three children, Tona, Suelkola, and Pohe. They watched the men dance and listened to the women sing the beautiful song of Father Sun and the Walking Children of Mother Earth.

    In the dimness of the moonlight appeared two shadows so big that the large ceremonial fire was diminished in comparison. All dancing and singing stopped.

    Seebona smiled. He had grown very old and sat wrapped in his finest blanket. With great effort, he got up and faced the tremendous shadows that had silenced the village.

    Everyone trembled with fear. Growls of black bears were starkly heard.

    Then, into the light of the fire appeared two black bears. Again, everyone froze. The men didn’t have weapons, and you could almost hear the silent screams of the mothers.

    Seebona began singing and rattling. The black bears seemed to answer his singing with their growling.

    The black bears stood taller than any man in the village. They stepped toward Seebona. A collective and audible gasp arose from the whole village as memories of stories told of Tapakopa and little Kanobee flooded their minds.

    What happened next is told in many different ways. Everyone saw what happened, but no one believed what they saw. When one of the black bears dropped to all fours, it was seen that a young girl rode on its back. Polay ran, threw her arms around the young girl, and sang a song of Nepo, the ancient song expressing joy. The other black bear and Seebona seemed to dance with each other until Seebona disappeared into the bear.

    Then, as quickly as they had come, the black bears were gone, and Seebona was gone as well. All that was left was his finest blanket and the young girl. She kneeled, placed the blanket around her shoulders, and began singing a song that caused even the strongest man to cry, for it was a song of love and power and good medicine.

    The young girl’s name was Nollkata, Woman Who Walks In Balance.

    The Topa village still exists today only no one has ever been able to find it. It is said a powerful medicine woman named Nollkata guards it alongside the black bears. It is also said that few have been invited there for the Warm Season Celebration and the Dance of the Black Bears. My grandmother would tell me of these celebrations, as her great-grandfather’s name was Tapakopa.

    Chapter Two

    THE BLACK BEARS DANCE

    T HE WOMAN WALKED IN BALANCE. She seemed to know the essence of each person. There was love there, for each human possessed that love, the love given at birth—that complete, trusting, dependent love that a newborn gives to anyone who holds him or her dear.

    Nollkata, Woman Who Walks In Balance, sat upon the ground, feeling Mother Earth stir and grow. She wondered at the beauty before her and listened as the Standing People talked about the Two-Legged human beings. The Sky People agreed with everything that was said while the Feather People spoke of stories old and how they had helped an old Medicine Man named Seebona of the village Topa.

    Potalo was a young warrior. He seemed to do everything wrong, so no one paid much attention to him. He just lived each day and always seemed to be noticed for the wrong reasons. He often fell off his pony, and his arrow never seemed to hit its mark. His father, Toomolo, would just shake his head and keep trying to teach his male child how to become a man. There was much work to be done before his son could go before the Elders and begin his Vision Quest. He had hoped for a male child strong and brave. This child seemed brave to the point of foolishness, but he had a good heart and never hurt anyone unless he fell on him or her by accident.

    The time was drawing near. The warm season would bring with it the Celebration of Manhood. Seven young men of the Topa village would be ready for this Vision Quest and would talk to the Elders. The Medicine Man of the village, Kabona, had said, From these young men, an apprentice will be selected. Kabona was Toomolo’s uncle, and Toomolo had hoped with all his heart that Potalo would be the one selected for such an honor. However, this just did not seem to be the way Spirit would go.

    Toomolo watched as his son attempted to jump over a log by the evening fire. He not only fell, but he also tumbled head over heels into the lodge of Keeko, the basket weaver, and baskets went flying everywhere. There was laughter from Potalo’s young friends as they rolled upon the ground in their glee at his latest misfortune. Potalo was just all legs and little focus. Toomolo just shook his fatherly head and smiled as Potalo humbly restacked Keeko’s baskets.

    At night, as the village of Topa slept, Potalo would stand in the moonlight and pray to Grandmother Moon. He would ask her to guide his steps and help him make his father proud of him. He did so much want to please his father. He knew his father’s secret desire that he be named the Apprentice of the Medicine Man, his uncle. This would bring great honor for his family, but how could Spirit ever select such a person as he? There was not one thing he did correctly.

    Only today as he fished in the river, he not only caught fish, but he almost caught a black bear that chased him for almost a mile until he finally gave up his catch. Everyone laughed and laughed as he told the story of running like the wind from the bear. He didn’t think they really believed him. If they had a black bear chasing them, he knew they would have run as fast as he. They didn’t even believe he really caught the fish. He did not know what to do. It seemed the more he tried, the more he did things wrong, but Grandmother Moon always listened to all his stories and smiled sweetly on him each night.

    The entire village of Topa stood at the edge of the forest. Everyone was quiet and hearts beat fast with anticipation. The first of the young men should be returning soon. Before speaking to the Elders, each young man had to run for three days and three nights, never stopping to rest or drinking of cool spring waters. Each young man also must return with the skin of an animal which had given its life willingly. The spirit of this animal would carry the young man throughout his life and lend him its Good Medicine and eyes with which to see into the Spirit World. The mothers and fathers of the young men stood before the entire village. Each of the parents were holding skin bags full of cool water and baskets full of sweet berries to offer their sons upon their return from this Rite of Manhood. All the fathers stood tall and proud. The mothers sang prayers loud enough for everyone to hear in hopes of easing the difficulty of their young sons’ impending quest.

    The first to emerge from the forest was Tolaylo, the son of Naan and Keepo. He carried in his hand the skin of a wolf. A cry was heard as a wave of joy broke from all the People in collective relief that one of the young men had returned. After the fifth young man reached the village, Toomolo stretched his neck to see as if just out of sight might be his son. The sixth young man returned from his journey and embraced his parents. He proudly held up the skin of a rabbit for all to see.

    The village waited patiently for Potalo. There were whispers among the people. Would he return? Kakopi, Potalo’s mother sang her prayers a little louder. It was almost dark. Toomolo would not be permitted to look for his son until morning if he did not return before nightfall.

    Father Sun peeked over the tops of the tall dark forest, and still no Potalo.

    At the first hint of daylight, Toomolo had gathered all that was needed to look for his son. The other young men’s fathers would join him in the search. Just as they started to leave the village, Kakopi could be heard singing the Nepo song, the song of joy, for her son had returned. To everyone’s amazement, Potalo was running into the village as if he were fresh and rested. Around his shoulders he wore the skin of a black bear. His mother and father gave him the cool water to drink, and he ate the sweet berries so fast that his face soon turned bright red. Now, everyone laughed. Not only was he a funny sight with berries all over his face, but all were relieved that he had returned safely.

    Toomolo was afraid to ask what had happened. He felt it better if he didn’t know. Potalo seemed amazed that all had returned. He said he thought he had only been gone for one day, was returning too soon and that his father would be angry with him. Toomolo shook his fatherly head in his own amazement.

    The ceremonial fire was lit by Kabona as Father Sun began to hide behind the Standing People of the forest. There was a great feast that night in honor of the young men. All would speak with the Elders and tell of the Medicine Animal that had lent its skin and Medicine for their journeys into manhood. Each came before the Elders in the order in which he had returned. Each

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