The Roar of the Falls: My Journey with Kaya

I announce I’d like to stay in camp. Kaya breaks into a smile and says we can keep working with Speaking Rain. Toe-ta nods and leaves with Eetsa. Brown Deer takes Wing Feather and Sparrow to get water at the stream. Kautsa settles on one side of the tepee, braiding hemp from a basket into rope. Speaking Rain continues weaving the grasses together to make a flat, flexible bag. Kaya says Speaking Rain’s weaving is fine and tight. The green strands seem to leap and twist themselves into place under Speaking Rain’s nimble fingers. Speaking Rain describes what she’s doing to me, and I’m amazed she can do this by touch alone.

Kaya says she’s not as good at weaving. Her work always has holes and lumps. Speaking Rain assures her that her weaving will improve. I am impressed at how much Kaya and her sisters care for each other. I can’t imagine the girls in my gardening group at home thinking of each other or caring what the others are doing. I notice Kaya looking at me. She points out that I don’t have a necklace. Kaya herself wears one with blue, red, and green porcupine quills and white beads. Kaya asks if I want to make one. I agree, and Kaya brings out bone beads and fine cord. I weave them together, just the way I do at home. Kaya watches me make a series of knots in the cord to hold the beads of the necklace. She says she’s never seen a pattern like that before. And it’s clear I have lots of practice to have mastered a pattern like that. Kautsa smiles and says she’s noticed that I have a quiet body and mind to make such beautiful objects.

I blush, overcome with the unexpected praise.

When Eetsa comes back to camp, she asks Kaya and me to go fetch the salmon eggs from the drying spot on the hillside. Kaya puts down her work quickly and leads me out of camp. In about five minutes, we’re climbing the hillside that rises from the riverbank. I see the patchwork of straw mats covered with tiny pink balls. Kaya tells me to only gather the ones that are dry. I kneel down and help her pick the eggs that are ready. Kaya says salmon eggs are valuable. Sometimes, she may be able to get an unusual bead or pretty shell from the people who come from the place where the big river flows into the sea. For a good trade, you must be willing to offer something of value in return.

Kaya’s people may not have money or stores, but it seems like trading is as common as shopping. What would I trade if there was something I really wanted in Kaya’s world?