The Roar of the Falls: My Journey with Kaya

I tell Kaya the race does look interesting. We follow the crowd that’s forming to watch the race, weaving between groups of people already jostling for a good spot. We almost bump into two boys about our age. One of them, Fox Tail, tries to talk to us. I stay silent, hoping they’ll let us pass. But he inquires why I’m not speaking. Finally, Kaya flusters that we’ll miss the race and the other boy, Raven, pushes Fox Tail out of the way. As we walk past, Kaya warns me that Fox Tail is as bothersome as a fly.

As we push to the front of the crowd, Kaya says that Toe-ta is riding. Kaya says we’re racing against the Salish, but they cannot beat our horses and riders! Our horses are so fast and our riders are skilled, she declares proudly.

The starter raises his arm, and brings it down. The horses leap forward, kicking up a cloud of dust behind them. Immediately a gray horse from the Salish group takes the lead. Hooves pound the earth and the riders yell encouragement, their voices nearly lost in the thunder of the crowd around us. Then, Toe-ta’s horse pulls out ahead of the pack. Kaya and I yell along with the crowd, our voices hoarse with excitement. The Salish’s gray and Toe-ta’s stallion are even now, neck and neck down the stretch. Toe-ta lets out an encouraging whoop and his horse responds with more speed.

The horses flash over the finishing line, Toe-ta’s horse first, and then the gray, dust billowing up behind them. Kaya and I sing and jump up and down together. My heart is pounding as if I’ve just run the race myself.

Someone calls out riders for a second race. Kaya turns to me, eyes bright. She exclaims we should race! We should ride double.

I stop jumping. Is Kaya serious? I can’t possibly ride in a race. But Kaya looks ready to burst with excitement. She says it’ll be more fun if we can do it together. I stammer. I don’t even know how to get on a horse, let alone ride it.

I hear a sound of laughter nearby and turn to see two lines of men sitting on the ground facing each other playing some kind of game. How about we go watch that instead? Kaya says it’s the Stick Game. But racing will be more fun.