"Back for a little to Moosonee and its inhabitants. The Cree Indians always have been and still are a rugged people. This true story represents some of that ruggedness. George something or other is the hero. He amputated his own leg after his eighty-two year old father found him pinned beneath a tree he (George) had felled on himself quite accidentally two days before. Eight days after he was found, he knew his infected leg would have to go ad he also knew he could not reach a hospital from his trapping camp. It took him two hours to amputate his leg with an eight-inch hunting knife, including the times he lost consciousness. Eighteen days after the accident, the wound sealed with salt and spruce gum, his aged mother managed to walk fifteen miles to another trapper's camp. A priest and four men finally reached George and two months after the accident the amputation was extended int he hospital at Moose Factory. George still lives.
They have many legends which vary according to the story teller. This one I thought quite interesting so am passing it on to you. It is "How The Year Got Twelve Months". After the great flood the animals decided to hold a meeting to discuss how many months there should be in a year. First, the caribou suggested that the hair between his toes be counted and that was how many months there would be in a year. The loon said that all the white spots on his back be counted and this was how many months he wanted. All through the meeting the frog kept interrupting, wanting to have her say. After the loon had spoken she said it was too many months and she would never have a chance to get warm. They laughed at her and slapped her, which knocked her finger and toes which knocked her down. One of them said. "Let's have pity on our sister." They then counted her finger and toes which added up to twelve and they and they all agreed there should be twelve months in a year.
Before we leave this beautiful northland I want to tell you one more story of a small town, three miles from Kirkland Lake. If you should go in on the train you would have to get off here and be met.
Swastika !! Not a German town or name as many seem to think and believe, but Indian. Two brothers Bill ad Jim Dusty were prospecting for gold back in 1920. While working on their find one day some visitors came up to inspect the work. A young lady amongst them asked what name they would be giving the mine. Bill, the forward one looked up and noticed the Indian Charm necklace she was wearing. He said "We'll call it the Swastika Mine after that charm on your necklace." The name was given the mine and the settlement. The name derived from an Indian charm "Lucky Cross" came to have quite the opposite implication years later when a certain one-armed paper hanger, who had risen tot he leadership of the Third Reich, adapted the "Lucky Cross" as his party's symbol."
They have many legends which vary according to the story teller. This one I thought quite interesting so am passing it on to you. It is "How The Year Got Twelve Months". After the great flood the animals decided to hold a meeting to discuss how many months there should be in a year. First, the caribou suggested that the hair between his toes be counted and that was how many months there would be in a year. The loon said that all the white spots on his back be counted and this was how many months he wanted. All through the meeting the frog kept interrupting, wanting to have her say. After the loon had spoken she said it was too many months and she would never have a chance to get warm. They laughed at her and slapped her, which knocked her finger and toes which knocked her down. One of them said. "Let's have pity on our sister." They then counted her finger and toes which added up to twelve and they and they all agreed there should be twelve months in a year.
Before we leave this beautiful northland I want to tell you one more story of a small town, three miles from Kirkland Lake. If you should go in on the train you would have to get off here and be met.
Swastika !! Not a German town or name as many seem to think and believe, but Indian. Two brothers Bill ad Jim Dusty were prospecting for gold back in 1920. While working on their find one day some visitors came up to inspect the work. A young lady amongst them asked what name they would be giving the mine. Bill, the forward one looked up and noticed the Indian Charm necklace she was wearing. He said "We'll call it the Swastika Mine after that charm on your necklace." The name was given the mine and the settlement. The name derived from an Indian charm "Lucky Cross" came to have quite the opposite implication years later when a certain one-armed paper hanger, who had risen tot he leadership of the Third Reich, adapted the "Lucky Cross" as his party's symbol."
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