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Stoney Discoveries : Stoney Stories : The Little People Macoyah Debe

Our summary of The Little People..Macoyah Debe
told by Kevin, Katelyn, Dylan

Waka Taga, the Great Mystery, sets out Two Keepers of the West Wind, Great Bear and The Little People. They are no bigger than a badger and live deep in the earth. Iktomni brings the Little People many gifts and teaches them. Iktomni brings them the gift of song and dance. Some songs are for fun and some are very sacred. When ever people gather songs are sung. Iktomni brings special dance robes for the Sun Dance, The Deer Dance, the Round Dance and the Buffalo Dance. He also brings The Little People many games. He brings the gift of fire and taught them how to make meat hot over cooking stones. Iktomni brings all of these gifts to The Little People and they bring the gifts to the Stonies

What did we hear in this story that we have heard in other stories?

  • There is a moon in this story as well as a lot of other stories. Perhaps the moon helps us to tell what month it is.
  • There are songs in this story and they are very important in this story and also in others.
  • Bear is in this story and is important and is also in other stories. He is almost like a spirit.
  • The eagle is also important and he is a messenger between Iktomni and the Spirits.
  • The trickster Iktomni is always up to something. He is the same way in lots of other Ancient stories. He is not always good.
  • The journeys are long but they are safe.
  • There are sacred gifts that are given away.

Why was this story told? We think...

  • It was told so that you could have things explained that you did not understand.
  • It was told to entertain the children. We listen to bedtime stories today before we go to sleep. They are just like the Ancient stories of the Stoney People.

Copyright for student work remains with the authors.
All else copyright © 2002 Pam Irving, Lorraine Flavelle and Galileo Educational Network Association