Reprinted with permission from Traditional Teachings by the Native North American Travelling College

Teharonhiawako came to a spot that was open and found a being sitting there on a rock, looking into the mountains. As he walked up to the being, he said, “Who are you?” The being told him, “I am called Hadoui, I am the most powerful being on this earth. I have the power to change the natural life and being that live on it.” Teharonhiawako then introduced himself by saying, “I am the Creator of all that you see, the valleys, mountains, rivers, animals and beings that walk about this land. I am called Teharonhiawako, and if you are as powerful as you say then I would like to see your powers for there can only be one true “Creator.” Hadoui replied that they should resolve who had the most power for only one could rule the world. They finally agreed to a contest of who could move the mountain closest to them in the valley where they were standing. Hadoui started first, and to the amazement of Teharonhiawako he caused the mountain to tremor and even move slightly. Finally, Hadoui said, “This is what I can do, now it is your turn.”

Teharonhiawako asked Hadoui not to look behind him. Hadoui did not realize that the mountain was already behind him and as he turned his head, he scraped his face against the side of the mountain, breaking his nose and contorting his features in the process. Hadoui said, “I now realize that you are the true ‘Creator,’ and your power is greatest than mine.”

The “MASTER OF LIFE” then told him, “I recognize that you are a powerful being and that you have strong power – the power to help people. My brother is still around, and I know that in the future he will try to cause problems. I am going to ask you if you will help watch over all my children and take care of them, in case of disease, sickness or other problems. At that moment, the Hadoui said, I will do that, for I recognize that you are the one that made this place. In return the people will have to give me some tobacco and food. For their protection, for their health, they will have to feed me.” This was when the songs were made, when they were put together.

They agreed that a certain kind of food would be given to Hadoui and thanks would be given to him. He does work and good things for the people. At that point, the “CREATOR” returned to the first people he had created.

He told them, “All the living creatures are your relations, and they all have instructions as to how they must live in this world. The natural life will always be ready to assist the living beings, if they live in harmony with one another. The humans must always look after their relations of the natural world.”

To this day, this has been the Traditional Belief of the people of the Hotinonshonni.