Bear Leads a Boy Astray

A young boy who often went hunting was once captured by Bear, known as Xa’xats. Bear took him to her den, where he stayed for a long time. Eventually, Bear told him, “You will return home to visit your parents briefly, then come back.” She prepared a meal for him with camas roots, as it was the season for digging them. Bear instructed him to sing upon returning home. His parents had believed he was lost forever, but when they heard his song, “Sa’ ya, the widow, led me astray; sa’ ya, the mouth, led me astray,” they rejoiced, realizing he was alive. After spending a few days with them, the boy announced he must return. The villagers, in the midst of a bountiful salmon catch, gave him a large supply to take back.

When he returned to Bear’s den, she was out gathering roots. To surprise her, he broiled some salmon. Upon her return, Bear exclaimed, “Oh, salmon! How wonderful!” But she complained it was overcooked. The boy offered to eat it himself, allowing her to cook it as she liked. Bear then prepared it by sprinkling dust for seasoning, expressing her delight, “This is how it should be done. Oh, such good salmon.” The young man mentioned the villagers invited them because of the plentiful salmon, but Bear hesitated, fearing embarrassment. He insisted, and Bear agreed to visit. She dug up camas roots to take along, and they journeyed to the village, where they found many people enjoying social activities. Bear’s husband joined the festivities, but Bear noticed his attention to other maidens and became jealous.

Fueled by jealousy, Bear decided to confront the maidens. She followed them into the bushes, where she heard one maiden boast about Bear’s husband’s attention during the dance. Enraged, Bear attacked and killed five maidens, burying them in a pit. Despite washing away the blood, the scent lingered. Pretending to be ill, Bear returned to her den. Her husband noticed the smell and asked about it, to which she claimed a nosebleed and a headache. Meanwhile, the villagers discovered the maidens’ grave and suspected Bear. Coyote declared Bear must be punished for the murders.

The villagers approached Bear’s husband, suggesting that Bear, being a powerful shaman, could make the salmon run again through a sweat bath. Though embarrassed, Bear agreed to help. She entered the sweathouse fully clothed, while the villagers heated stones and poured water, creating intense steam. Realizing their intent to kill her, Bear struggled but eventually succumbed to the suffocating heat. After she passed, the villagers removed her from the sweathouse, ending her life. The community remained, forever marked by the tale of Bear and her tragic fate.

This is a retelling of a cultural tradition, which belongs to its people.