The Roar of the Falls: My Journey with Kaya

We stop riding when we see a small herd of horses clustered together with a few riders circling them. Toe-ta dismounts and ties up his stallion a short distance away. Kaya and I slide off the chestnut. My legs tremble from the exertion of staying on the horse. Kaya points out one of her uncles, Jumps Back, and two other boys our age, Raven and Squirrel. One of the boys rides towards us, making fun of me for not riding my own horse. I quake a little inside. Can he tell I am not Nimíipuu? But before any of us respond, he trots away again. Kaya says Squirrel likes to tease.

Toe-ta comes to us and says the horses need to get used to people. They need to learn to carry riders and be led. It’s our choice what to work on first. We can either ride or stay on the ground. Before I can make my decision, Squirrel breaks in again, making fun of the fact I can’t ride a horse on my own. I shrink back, wishing I could think of a witty retort. But my mind goes blank.

Kaya scolds Squirrel for being unkind, telling him I was injured earlier that day. I must work at my own pace. I am grateful to Kaya for defending me, and it’s clear she doesn’t let Squirrel bother her. I try to do the same, but he’s gotten under my skin.