Manataka American Indian Council
A Winnebago Prophecy
Nothing is said of the provenience of this prophecy. It refers to a war
against the Long Knives (white Americans) to take place a year later. Since
defeat will presage enslavement, it is probably not an early war with the United
States government, but something closer to the time when the Hotcâgara were
expelled from their lands. This makes it likely that the prophet is the famous
White Cloud, the Winnebago Prophet of the Black Hawk War.
A
year from this time, here when we attack the people who wear hats, shouting the
war cry, as many as they are above shall become full; again the days as many as
they are; again those who walk upon the light (birds), those possibly likewise;
and again the things that move upon the earth as many as there are, and all four
winds; again the white faced people whom we have seen above (stars?); all will
help me. When this is done, the earth will shake. When this happens, even if the
Long Knives aim their guns, they would not be able to fire them, no matter what,
the guns will be just as they were (unfired). They will not be able to move.
When this happens we need only knock them out. When this happens we need only
make an end of them. When we ourselves alone move on the earth, we shall get
along with our lives very well. For this purpose did I come here.
If it happens that we fail, in time the whole earth will be fully occupied by
the people who wear hats. If it is filled, in time we will fail even to have a
place to live. If we should camp someplace we would have to ask permission, and
we shall camp there only if they give us permission. Again if we were to cut a
stick for a lodge frame, we shall have to ask permission to cut even one. Thus
it will be. We would think that the land will not be
filled, but in time it will be overcrowded.
Thomas
A. Sebeok, "Two Winnebago Texts," International Journal of American
Linguistics, 13 (1947): 167-170; Text II -- A Prophecy, 169-170.
From Blue Panther Keeper of Stories.