Ask The Author: How did you become interested in Native American lore?

 

After the Civil War, my great-great grandfather, Gardner Avery left his New York regiment to settle with his wife, Helen Greenleaf Kern, in Jamestown, a rural area near Grand Rapids, MI.  He kept a diary, which remains in the family, of his daily activities & expenses. On the land he purchased to farm, a tribe of Native Americans resided. The couple let the Potawatomi continue to live and hunt on the land. Over time they developed close friendships with many of the tribal folk. My grt-grt-grandmother became very close to the Medicine Woman of the tribe who taught her the use of herbs in food and healing. The Avery’s interest in the art of the tribe eventually led to learning their customs and legends. Through stories shared around meals they learned the Spirituality of the Native Americans. 

At the time, Grand Rapids was one of the first large scale trading posts used by the Ottawa, Potawatomi and the Chippewa. My ancestors learned valuable information from their relationships with these tribes which lead them to have a successful farm and healthy family.

Despite the Avery’s wishes, the government forced the tribe off the land and into a reservation.  According to family legend, my gt-gt-grandmother and her dearest friend spent the last days together.  After hugs and many tears, she stood in a field and watched the tribe travel until they were out of sight.

The information, stories, and traditions my ancestors learned has been passed down through the generations. I grew up listening to the stories my grandmother told of visiting the farm and her grandparents. She also shared aspects of the Native American Spirituality and showed us how similar it is to Christianity.

In the 1950’s, my grandparents purchased property and build a cottage on Coldwater Lake, not far from Mt. Pleasant, MI. My family spent many summers at the cottage where we collected arrowheads we found in the sand pits. A Chippewa family owned a cottage near ours and our our families spent quality time together.  "Indian Dave” was a teacher and kept all the children captivated with stories, games, dances, and traditions while we sat around a bonfire. My favorite tales were those of Spirit Animals. In each book in the Legend of the Spirit series, his words live.