Who is Nellie? Nanatasis: Abenaki for Hummingbird ~ Her Christian Name is Nellie Baldwin Etched in Granite Historical Fiction Series
Nellie lived with her people on the shores of Bitawbagok—Lake Champlain—according to the natural laws of Our Mother and the changing seasons. She adapted well to the domesticated farm, possessing a higher level of connection to the spirit of the animal while thoroughly understanding the purpose of their labor and slaughter. Honor was more important than domination. She did not tolerate animal abuse, nor did she ever take their strength and offerings for granted.
The powerful beasts, once far away, were close. Sweat covered bronze and breath came hard.
The dragging of the oxen plow reached into my dream. I watched the tip of the orange wing depart into the golden grasses. I rose to my feet while the sun neared the end of day; I tasted the salt of my sorrow upon my lips. —Etched in Granite, Book One—
Hunting, fishing, and harvesting were a way of life. Her people traveled to various parts of lakes and streams based on the cycle of fish. The compass of Nellie’s people was migration, observing nature’s behavior patterns, weather, and the heavens. They traveled silently like a fox through the rough Vermont wilderness to hunt, using all parts of the animal for meat, fat for oil, skins for clothing, and bones and cartilage for utensils, tools, and numerous other uses. After every bit of the animal was used, the few remains were honored – scattered and burned in the fire – to ensure their return to the hunting grounds.
After the Sugar Making month, the ice melted away from the lower, quiet stretch of Crooked River, signaling the time for boat making. Four winters passed since Mamijôla perished in White River. I traveled with my people along the shores of Bitawbagok...
Creatures watched and waited in the killing season. Unlike my people, white men did not honor their kill. Burying the carcass of the hunted and offering the bones to the fire, prevented animals from leaving the hunting grounds forever…
The warm blood covered the white snow like a bold red flower. We bowed our heads in thanks to the Mountain Spirit and to the spirit of the rabbit…
—Etched in Granite, Book One—
From the wild to the County Farm, Nellie comprehended the sacred existence of all living beings and the unending circle of life and death. She had an advantage over the white man; she knew how to farm crops and cultivate medicine for a variety of rituals and practices. Herbal remedies gathered from the surrounding environment and often traded over long distances were used to bring balance and harmony to themselves, their tribe, and all of life. Her knowledge of indigenous healing traditions was rich and effective until her death.
The woman cried. I went to the place where I keep many medicines, removed the board and reached inside the floor. In darkness, my fingers traced the outer edges of bark in search of white pine…
White men came to me when the doctor had no medicine for healing. A kind doctor, Doctor Bennett, came often and asked many questions. We walked amongst the trees, rivers and fields; I showed where healing grows…
After eight winters, the fever came to Water Village. I had many good medicines: black spruce bark with white maple bark, ground hemlock tea and juniper berries. I did not sleep. Many died from what white men called pneumonia…
—Etched in Granite, Book One—
Excerpts from —Etched in Granite,Historical Fiction Series, Book One ~ Mj Pettengill Memories, dreams and reflections of Nellie Baldwin, 1872.
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