Breaking Twigs
as told by Johnny Neyelle, Déline Elder
 Long ago, the elders spoke on all issues.
Setá (my father) taught us well. He died while I was in Wrigley
attending school. He left a message for me with a woman back home. He
told her, Setúé (my daughter), "although young Johnny
is away among strange people I am not in the least worried about him,
for I am very pleased about how he takes care of himself ".
I have often wondered about Setá’s message. I was his
favourite, but he was at peace even in my absence. This is because the
elders of long ago knew about the qualities of a young man
the instant
they heard
him speak. They would also be able to judge him by how he
clothes himself, and his work habits. A young man’s betá,
or possibly an elder, would follow on his trail and look
at the signs of
his bush skills. This way, they could predict his future.
At the time, I didn’t own a house yet. I was but a young man
with not a worry in the world.
Setá used to say, “Seya (my son), listen when someone is
talking. Look at his mouth, and take an interest in learning. This is
how you get knowledge.” And he said of someone who doesn’t
listen, who doesn’t want to learn anything, that he will be prone
to make mistakes, like breaking twigs and scaring the game
away.
ELDERS KEEPING OUR
TRADITIONS ALIVE | BREAKING TWIGS | FOOD
FOR THE FUTURE |
