The History and Culture of the Spirit Lake Dakota
By Louis Garcia © 8/28/2006
Unktomni is a trickster: he creates bad situations similar to the Wolf in Euromerican tales such as “Little Red Riding Hood” and the “Three Little Pigs.” The Water Spirit (Unktehi) resides in our own Spirit Lake, misnamed Devils Lake. The Water Spirit is continually at odds with the Spirit of the Air (Wakinyan) dubbed the Thunderbird. This battle is the Dakota way of explaining the Hydrological Cycle: Fire verses water, create evaporation, to cycle back as rain. When an individual (male or female) joined the Sacred Dance (Wakan Wacipi) known in English as The Grand Medicine Society, they learned the art of medicine and the secrets of the society. As this society / religion is defunct among the Dakota / Lakota many of their secrets have been lost.
The Story: Unktomni the Spider was traveling along looking for something to cause trouble. He came to the edge of Miniwakan (Devils Lake) and wanted to cross the water to get to the other side. It is a large lake; he could see the distance to walk around the lake was too far to go. The lake was choppy, full of waves, he might drown if he tried to swim across. As he was contemplating his situation, he noticed something hidden in the reeds as they were bent in the wind. Hau! (Yes) He was right, it has two upright horns – it was an Unktehi that was hiding among the reeds. He now had a plan, he would flatter the Water Spirit to achieve his goal.
“Oh great One, is that you resting there?” Unktomni called out.” Inina WO! (Keep quiet) Whispered the Water Spirit. ”A Wakinyan might hear you” replied the Water Spirit. Oh Great one, master of the underworld, you are not afraid of the Thunders. They fly high up and are so small, you are so powerful, with your horns and tail can easily defeat the Thunderbirds. Unktomni continues to flatter the Water Spirit, continuing the theme of how great the Water Spirit is. Finally, The Water Spirit asks; “What is it you want?” Unktomni replies, “I want to go across the lake. I want you to give a ride on your back”. It is a clear sunny day, if I give you a ride the Thunders will surly see me. I will have to make a fog to hide under so they will not see me. Unktomni answers; “as you say the day is sunny, not a cloud in sight. Do you see any Thunders? You can quickly swim across this little lake and rest in the reeds on the other side.” The Unktehi finally gives in, “I guess the only way to stop you from bothering me is to grant your request. Jump on my back and grab my two horns to steady yourself, let’s go.”
As the Water Spirit swims along on top of the water, he repeatedly asks Inktomni if he sees any Thunderbirds flying above them. No, No is always the reply, Keep swimming. As they arrive near the opposite shore of Devils Lake, Unktomni spots a single fluffy cloud flying above them, and quickly jumps off the back of the Unktehi swims as fast as he can in the shallow water splashing in the sand, mud and reeds and pointing up to the cloud. The water is too shallow to dive deep enough to escape. There was a Thunderbird hiding in the cloud and shoots out a bolt of lightning (Wakanhdi), Wham! Killing the Water Spirit. With his last breath Unktehi he gives a faint whistle and flops down dead. Unktomni has reached the other shore and quickly runs away laughing and thinking of other mischief events to perform.
For those of you who are unfortunate enough to be caught in a summer thunder storm, will see and hear the lighting from the Thunderbirds and the whistling of the Water Spirits as they battle each other. It is a freighting time when death is all around you. Although this is a fairy tale, it is told to set an example of how to behave towards others. If a request is not good, walk away.
