The Roar of the Falls: My Journey with Kaya

I tell Kaya I wish to play shinny. We run to a flat, sunbaked spot a short distance away. The grass there has been worn down to bare dirt by other games. Kaya hands me a curved stick, worn smooth from years of use. It fits into my palm like it was made for me. I’m worried I’ll embarrass myself. I’m not great at sports. Kaya tells me not to worry. I’ll remember how to play soon enough.

Kaya gently reminds me of the rules. There are two teams. Each team has a goal and has to get the ball through the other team’s goal to win. She taps the leather ball with her curved stick. I’ll want to pass it to my teammates. I give the ball a gentle passing tap. Kaya steps a few steps away. I pass it to her again, watching the ball skim smoothly over the dirt. She backs even farther away and I pass it to her again. To score, I’ll need to smack it strongly.

I tell Kaya she’s a good teacher. She’s patient, helping me so I can learn when she could run off and play the game instead. Kaya exclaims she’s having fun, too. She runs to set up a little goal, and I practice shooting the ball past her while she tries to block me. Over and over, her stick stops my ball. When Kaya tells me to rest, I tell her no; I’m going to do this! I smack the ball with a satisfying whack, and it shoots right past Kaya and her stick into the goal box.

I did it! And I didn’t give up! A grin spreads across my face, wide and unstoppable, and my chest swells with pride. I explain to Kaya that I don’t always work as hard as I should. I think of the garden group back home. Kaya sighs. Kautsa says nobody can do anything perfectly the first time. It takes practice.

Yes! I exclaim that Mom always says if I want to get better at something, I need to practice, too. I pick up my stick and walk to the goal. It’s my turn to block. Kaya’s ball shoots past me and disappears between some nearby tepees. I go after it and am about to whack it back when I see something that stops me short. I call Kaya over. There’s something she needs to see.