Document Type

Document

Publication Date

10-31-2025

Abstract

Oral history given to the Winnebago from the Algonquian Recounted by Tyler “Hųųcpįga” LaMere

The legend tells of how the song of Wasjįk (Rabbit) could not be silenced. One day, all the animal chiefs gathered to decide how to live and work together. As the council tried to start their meeting, they were interrupted by Wasjįk’s singing and dancing outside the lodge. Each time a chief went out to quiet Wasjik by force, they were unsuccessful. Kereju (Hawk) took his arm so he could not drum, but Wasjįk sang again and used his foot to drum. Hųc (Bear) took Wasjįk’s leg so he could not dance, but Wasjįk continued to sing. Finally, Šųkjąk (Wolf) took Wasjįk’s head, so he could not sing. But even this did not silence Wasjįk. When Caxšep (Eagle) went outside to fly Wasjik’s body far away, he noticed where the drumbeat came from. On that day, the animals across creation learned a valuable lesson: if there is a song in your heart, no one can take it away from you.

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