"Hiawatha" or "Nanabozho" : an Ojibway Indian play ; descriptive notes and excerpts to be used as a libretto for "Hiawatha" or "Nanabozho"

              HIAWATHA 
and the LAND of 
the OJIBWAYS 
by L.O. ARMSTRONG
SOUTH-WEST FROM KILLALY POINT, ST. MARY'S RIVER,
IN THE LAND OF HIAWATHA.
MOUTH OF THE DESBARATS RIVER, ONE MILE EAST OF HIAWATH
CAMP, KENSINGTON POINT, DESBARATS, ONT.
TYPICAL OJIBWAY TEPEE.
"HIAWATHA"
OR
NANABOZHO
An Ojibway
Indian Play
Descriptive Notes
and Excerpts to be
:::: used as a ::::
LIBRETTO
for" HIAWATHA,"
or NANABOZHO,
an Ojibway Indian
:::::: Play::::::
by
L. O. ARMSTRONG
COPYRICHT, 1901
HIAWATHA
OR
NANABOZHO
AN OJIBWAY INDIAN PLAY
Descriptive Notes and Excerpts to be used as a Libretto for
.. Hiawatha or Nanabozho," an Ojibway
Indian Play, by
WAUBUNGAY OR L. O. ARMSTRONG.
CAST:
HIAWATHA THE BLACK ROBE
MINNEHAHA WABENO
PAU-PUK-KEEWIS KABIBONOKKA
CHIBIABOS MUDJEKEEWIS
KWASIND SHAWONDASEE
IAGOO WABUN
NOKOMIS THE ANCIENT ARROW-MAKER
Snake Dancers, Braves, Squaws, Papooses, etc.
KENSINGTON POINT, DESBARATS, ONT.
Campment D'Ours' Island on the left, Sapper Island on the right, St. Joseph
Island in the distance. In the foreground to the right is the site
of the annual drama of Hiawatha, on St. Mary's River,
or Pauwating, as the Ojibways still call it.
4
"Hiawatha, or Nanabozho"
Ewh Ojibway Ahnishenahba.
E nuh Kuh me ge ze win (oduhmenowin) owh
WAUBUNGAY OR L. O. ARMSTRONG.
WADAHMENO]IG.
HIAWATHA  KAH GE QUA WE NE N
MINNEHAHA  WABENO
PAU-PUK-KEEWIS  KABIBONOKA
CHIBIABOS      MUDJEKEEWIS
KWASIND  SHAWONDASEE   
lAGOO  wabun
NOKOMIS   WA-BE-QUOK-KO-SE
Kena be go ne me win. Oge-che daug, oge-cbe dabquag,
Oske-ne-ge quag, ub-be-no-je-ug, kabya abnind.
In the distance on the left is the spot, marked by R small cross in the
water, where the drama is enacted.
5
..
OPENING SCENE. -1.
AN OJIBWAY INDIAN VILLLAGE
A dense smoke is seen arising from a fire lighted by Gitchee
Manitou (Good Spirit) as a signal to Call together all the nations
that they may smoke together the pipe of peace, the Pukwana.
Upon the arrival of the warriors of different tribes,
Wildly glaring at each other,
In their faces stern defiance,
In their hearts the feuds of ages -
the loving Great Spirit says:
"0 my children! My poor children!
Listen to the words of wisdom,
Listen to the words of warning,
From the lips of the Great Spirit,
From the Master of Life WhO made you!
" I have given you lands to hunt in,
I have given you streams to fi h in,
I have given you bear and bison,
I 'have given you trout and beaver,
Filled tile marshes full of wild fowl,
Filled the river full of fishes;
Why then are you not contented?
Why then will you hunt each other?
.. I am weary of your quarrels,
Weary of your wars and bloodsheds,
Weary of your prayers for vengeance,
Of your wranglings and dissensions;
All your strength is in your union,
All your danger is in discord
Therefore be at peace henceforward,
And as brothers live together.
.. I will send a prophet to you,
A deliverer of the nations,
Who shall guide you, and shall teach you,
Who shall toil and suffer with you.
If you listen to his counsels
You will multiply and pro per;
If his warnings pass unheeded
You will fade away and perish!
"Bathe now, in the stream before you;
Wash the war-paint from your faces,
'Vash the blood-stains from your fingers,
Take the reeds that grow beside you,
Deck them with your brightest feathers,
Smoke the calumet together
And as brothers live henceforward."
Here the warriors throw downn their garments of deerskin and
their weapons and rush into the river, wash off the war-paint,
and, sitting in a circle, they smoke the peace pipe.
6
MAH-JE TAH WIN
Ke-dte bah-quft-nft walt-bunge-e-gallda omb-btth-buh ta 11/,uh-gulc
Kah ozhe-tod Ke-clte-mah-nedo nund-do-maud. ba mah de ze nejjn
alt-nooj azhe-toeenzo-ne-jin che-be-sfl1t-gak-slcah-nid mahyah-osa
opwah-gun-un_ Olte kah-ge-ga me-no ue kah ne sind de wand.
ahe-untralt-yah- n:e-ka bernahdising
Uhpe da-glCislte nowaud ogechedaug
babuk-kaun azhe ween-zoj(q
Ke kah-qaslte naglOalt baud-e waug
A kalt mah dinggin ego ezheeng Zlca-ne
waud. Jfequaun daltmOlcard
Ako-be-maltduk uhkee Kerne fjoslt-kflli
je-ede-wl1.ud.
" Onoo enene wun oge kah-no-nann
owh Muh ne do. Ke-cke-dood
Oh nind-dahbe-uoji-e me doog
Ka-dc-mnh gc-ze-yag ahbenoje doog
HI "'ATHA, ]:'" TUB DR ~fA OF 1904-
7
SCENE II.
The wigwam of Nokomis,grandmother of Hiawatha. The
babe, in a linden cradle. is being rocked by Nokomis. She sings:
.. Hush, the naked bear will get thee!
Ewa·yea! my little owlet!
Who is this, that lights the wigwam,
With his great eyes, lights the wigwam?
Ewa·yea! my little owlet! "
SCENE III.
Nokomis and Iagoo teach Hiawatha how to shoot.
SCENE IV.
Hiawatha said to old Nokomis:
., I will go to Mudjekeewis,
See how fares it with my father,
At the door·ways of the West Wind,
At he portals of the Sun·set ! "
'Warning"', said the old Kokomi, :
Go not forth. 0 Hiawatha
-To the Kingdom of the West Wind,
To the realms of Mudjekeewis,
Lest he harm you with his magic,
Lest he kill you with his cunning ..
NOKOMIS
“Lulled him into slumber, singing: Ewa·yae! Illy little owlet!
8
Bezin-dall-moog qwah-yauk-oge-zhwa­win-
un kahya oe zind dah moog
gootin nooned-e-winun
wanje bab mab guk kin odoning
Kcche mub-ne-doo
owh dn bandung bemah-dis-e-win
Kak ozbe c naig kegemenelle nim
Ubkee Che-ke-osa yag Ke<Temenene-nim­sebceD-
sun Clle kegoo-e·ka yaig
Kege-me·nene.llim mull-k wah kahya Bezhe-ke
Kege menenellim 'cgig klihya Ahmik
Moosekcke naig wah-busb keke Amoon jig
Babahme·sa-jig Moo hke-na seebe WUD
KegoYllg. Ahneen-dush Kah-nub-ge-dc-zhe­me
Dwaud dah zeem
wagonan wan.je-ke-osab-ne-de·yaig?
Ne m~ goo-h kabdan dum Kekaundeyag
NegahwnnduD megab-de·yag misquewee-dezag
Negahwandun nauD-dabwand dab mag
Ah7.he tahwahcdewin
Onje me-gahdc.win Kakya nescdewin
Kah·kenab Kemusb-kah we ze win e waun
Uhta emah ke-muh-muh-we-ese-win-ewaung
Kuh kinah genllh-ne-7.ah-7.c win c waun
We-ah buh egah da wlln chc kah ge ga buh nuhdul:
Umba be-zaun-ne·ze·yook kahya
Owe· je· ke-wa-eD·rle· yook dcbish-koogo
Debe-nah-wa wawekah-ne-sind-de jig
Mab-muh-we che-zke be mahtlezeyag
l{cgab-be ezhe nah zhah ahmonenim
Debah bUD.je.ga·win·ene Kagah.nah-wane·
me-naig kaliya Kabe mall-jeaud ah-nooj
- Azbe weenzoo-ne·jin bamahdesene-jin
Owh Kaahne-ke-ke.nowinenag kallya
Ka-ke-ke-no-ah-mo-nag
Ka-bah-bub-weje-wln·nag kahya Ka-we-je·
kodull-ge-to-mag Kishpill bezindllhmag
Okahgequa wiwun keg-all mesheocx,dilll
Kr.hya Kegah keche me-noah yaum
Kishpin. ogotinnozhe wswin-un bezin­d
·.h-je gahda-se·noog Kegab-anng-om kahya
Keg:lh kodahgetom: Umba bllhkobeeg emah
Sebeeng kabsee-yah-bah·waud·doog kemegah-zoo-wah
-wa-zhe·no-win-no·wann emah kedang-gwaye waung
Kabya meque·agokag kedausewaung
Odallpe-nah·moog. enewh metigoon-sun sallyah gab
kegin a·nah.sah·me·yag wah-wa-zhc-toog
ChI' onjc gwah nah je we waud Keme-gwah.ne-me·waug
Sah·gah-swaug mah-yab-osa. Opwah f(un
Mall-muh-we. Kahya Owc-kah-ne-slnd-e-yook
Noongoom kabya kahge Dig DegauD ..
Me omah oguhedaug Ke.all-puTtge-do-~aud od4A·MtDe-tcin·
etMun Ke.puh-lwlJe.buh-e-de.~audemuh seebeeng. Kah Ie·yah.
bah-waud-~~aud 'UJall-~a·zhe·1lJin kahya ke1JJahwa·nah-be·~aud
wah tNtn Qa kewe·tah betoaud &hgah-8wah·nahwaud pezaun ne
e wa optDa!lgun·un.
CHE W.J.UB BUND.4H MING .4KOO NEZHING Il.
OtDegewaun ming Nokomi8 okomi8-8Un Hiawatha Ahbe-noje
te-kenahgunning duk-oobe-zood magwflh-1lJa·bah-be-ge·naud. No­komis
kahya nuh gah mood nebaah·wau8Ood_
.. Bezaum bushkoo muhkwah kahdabe.DIg
Ewa-yab-c_ Ninka·kall-be-shcens·sim
9
Hiawatha meets Mudjekeewis, his father, and tries in vain
to kill him for the wrong he had done his mother, but Mudjekeewis
is immortal" he loves his son, gives him matchless advice about
his people, tells him to return and share his kingdom, and sends
him homeward to live among his people, the Ojibways, doing good,
until his return to the Kingdom of the west Wind.
With the bitterness of anger gone and a noble resolve in his
mind, Hiawatha hastens homeward.
Only once his pace he slackened, Only once he paused or halted, 
Paused to purchase heads of arrows
Of the Ancient Arrow-maker,
In the land of the Dacotahs, 
'Where the falls of Minnehaha 
Flash and gleam among the oak trees, 
Laugh and leap into the valley,
Upon his arrival Hiawatha tells his people the words that
Mudjekeewis had told him :
., Go back to your home and people,
Live among them, toll among them,
Cleanse the earth from all that harms it,
Clear the fishing grounds and rivers,
Slay all Mon!lters and Magicians,
All the Giants, the Wendegoes,
All the Serpents, the Kenabeeks
As I slew the :Mishe·Mokwa,
Slew the Great Bear of the Mountains.
.. And at last when Death draws near you,
'When the awful eyes of Pauguk
Glare upon you in the darkness,
I will share my kin2dom with you,
Ruler shall you be thenceforward I "
Hiawatha dwells on this, but his people do not understand,
SCENE V.
‘THE WOOING OF HIAWATHA’
 ‘As unto the bow the cord is,
So unto the man is woman.
Though she bends him, she obeys him,
Though she draws him, yet he follows,
Useless each without the other."
Said Hiawatha,
‘Dreaming still of Minnehaha:
Of the lovely laughing water
In the land of the Dacotahs.
Wed a maiden of your people,"
Warning said the old Nokomis;
.. Go not Eastward. go not Westward,
For a stranger. whom we know not!
Like a fire upon the hearth stone
Is a neighbor's homely daughter,
Like the starlight or the moonlight
Is the handsomest of strangers,"
10
Ahwanan wahyahwaussahbuhqua-zood
Waus-sah-be·zood-on-je waussah·ko-nah·wa-andaud
Ewa-yah·wa-ya negokoko-onsim ..
CBEW.4.BBUNDUBMING Ill.
Nokomis kahya Il/{Joo ogekenoah 1MtOaun Hiawatlla ehe-be­mo-
je-ga.nid
W.4.BBAUN-JEGAWIN IV.
Hiawatha ode maun Ok-mia-sun
.. Ne we zhah DaDO Mudjekeewis
Che ge kan dah maun a zbe wabe ze gwan noos
Wanjesh.quaundayaug nin.gah·be-un e nodin
Kahya wanjesh-quaundayaug Keziss pungeshemood
Kege-nah-ah.mon Che-ezhah·see·wun ekedo Nokomis
Kago ezhah·kan 0 Hiawatba ezltan-kab kagoo
Andah 7.be oge mah wid nin-gahbeaunese
An duh zhe bl;! chegandabgosid Mudjekeewis
Konllmab kedahahnah mah pll nuh Dig
Konl!mah kegah nesig oggosig waud-e-se-win-ing"
PAl"-PI·K-KEf:WIS. 1903.
HIAWATHA, 1~04.
11
And my Hiawatha answers:
..... Dear old Nokomis ,
Very pleasant is the firelight,
But I like the starlight better,
Better do I like the moonlight! ..
Gravely then said old Nokomis:
.. Bring not here an idle maiden.
Bring not here a useless woman,
Hands unskillful, feet unwilling;
Bring a wife with nimble finger,
Heart and hand that move togethcr,
Feet that run on willing errands! ..
Smiling, answered Hiawatha:
., In the land of the Dacotahs,
Lives the Arrowmaker's daughter,
Minnehaha, Laughing water,
Handsomest of all the women,
I will bring her to your wigwam,
She shall run upon your errands,
Be your starlight, moonlight, firelight,
Be the sunlight of my people ! ..
Still dissuading said Nokomis:
.. Bring not to my lodge a stranger,
From the land of the Dacotahs !
Vcry fierce are the Darotahs,
Often is there Will' between us.
There are feuds yet unforgotten
'Wounds that ache and still may open."
Laughing, answered Hiawatha:
.. For that reason if no other
would I wed the fair Dacotah,
That our tribes might be united,
That old feuds might be forgotten
And old wounds be healed forever."
.Minnehaha gave them drink in bowls of basswood....
12
Hiawatha onah gish kali l.Oaun osun kahya ()'lOekoje-toon 1£'e­nesaud
onje kemudge dodah-1£'aud ogeen Mudjekeewis nebl.Oah-kah
ollaltge aun Ofj1£'issun o1ne-noo-kah·gah,zoo-lllaun ge-wu·nah·z!ttlh­waud
cke ezhah nid na .llaub odahnilJh·s/te nah-bu-1/iun cluHce)t
ah yah wah nid kahya cite me nododali lcali waud.
Olo~·8ah·ge·ge·d(!lt-zoo,-winillgt'z/!e-maltjah
Kahja kealtne·ne bwah kah nah-nahandulli
Ah ne be trW said
JIial.Ofltha altne-lca-weeb·an-dum
., Ahoe·ge··wad ahbe·diogatah ge kwa ke tab
Niog·go·je atab ke.no-ge-gab·buh-wee."
" Cbe.gish-pe-oud-od peodo·owaun·uo
Ab yah mowaud Wabe-quah·ko-see
Email odah ke me waung Dacotah wenene WUD
Andahgoog kakabeka ewh ~Iinneho.ha
bahpe owa wajc wuog lmogcsing
Email meshah wausa koda."
I Uhpe daglni8lting andaud Ol.Oh Hiawatlta ()'lOeen-dah-mah-waun
obemahdesemum eke dowin-un Mudjekeewifl-un kahegod.
.. Ahzha gewa-nodow kebemahdis·emug
Ahwe wcejeahyaoowh Magwa ye e ahyaun
Be-Detooo ewh uhkee kah·ke·lIuh·me-oick maje­ezhe-
wa·buk.
'Beoetoon che.oeto-yun muh·oahduk ahkee
Neshe kubke·nuh kecbe mudge-o.hwasee·yug
Kllb·kenah mesallbag kahya Wendcgoog
Kuh·kenah mudje me·she·genabcgoog
debishkoo kah-ezhe.ne-sug mcshe-muhquo.h
Kencsug keche muhquah emah wahjewing
Kahyo. eshquauj wahnebooyunoon
Upc kuhgwah.nesug-gah bUh.menug Bauguk.
Uhpe buh wausse zo jiD
Iagwa gush kete bik
Kegah dabab-ouec·oe-oim niodogemah we win
Che de bah ko nega yaig dush ne gauD enuhka."
V
EWe OGE.SAH.DIS.EWIN OWH HIAWATHA
" A7.hc uhyaud me tig waub eiog
Ie azhe ah yaud eoeoe owh cqua
Ahnah weogotab me go awo hooch Duhetum
Ahnah we owekobenauo hootch oopenuhkee
koopuhdisewug Che wejah yah wedis e gwah ..
Ezhe-nalJ.n ()'lOh Hiawatha. boch emah, enahJJlln duh11lUllJinifl(J
()'lOall·bah maun enewh Minnehaha lIun enewh leah me nwa 1WI
maltjin
"Bahpenwa je waun oqua
Ayah oc jio emah
Odah·ke·me waung Dacotah weDeDewug '.
.. Olldequa· waD omah duh zbe equa
Kago ewede ckedoo okomis
Kago ewah·kao Wahuu oog
Kago e7.ho.h kan 'ing.ah·be-aUD.ong
Chc we oude qua·wa·Yllo
Ahyah waud kakaoc wah see wung oog."
13
Hiawatha approaches the wigwam on his second visit.
The Arrow-maker rising to meet him says:
"You are welcome, Hiawatha."
At the feet of Minnehaha Hiawatha lays a deer, and the
maiden
"Looked up from her mat of rushes
Said, with gentle look and accent,
You are welcome, Hiawatha;
Yes, as in a dream she listened
To the words of Hiawatha,"
(Slowly)
Hiawatha says:
.. After many years of warfare,
Many years of strife and bloodshed,
There is peace between the Ojibways,
And the tribe of the Dacotahs ;
That this peace may last forever;
And our hands be clasped more closely,
And our hearts be more united,
Give me as my wife this maiden,
Minnehaha, Laughing Water,
Loveliest of Decotah women."
(Pause)
[Hiawatha laying the deer at the feet of Minnehaha.
14
.. Debish-ko ish-kodan~ and-duh-ziJe­Misqwah
be ke zood ahs\D ezhe ahyah­waud
kejedah nah ke wa mallgun nc­nahnig
odahnis ewaun
Kahya ahnung-ong kahya debick-kc gesis­ong
ezhe wahyazhe menwah buh me-nahgo
se waud odah nis ewaun maya1Jgis-cjig
Me nah wah nind Hiawatha-em nahquatum
Sah-yah-ge-en-aun Nokoo
.. Ahpe-che-one-she-shin ishkoda waus ah-konag_
Nah wuj onee she she shin ahnung
boch nah wuj onee zhe she debick
-e-ke-ziss kahzhe-gah-tagiD
Kemoje-gcgezhwa kekedood 'okomis
Kago be nahkan omah kad ahnokesig
Kago be nahkan omah katemiskid equa
Natah ahnoke-sig Kwa-yosb-qwase-sig
Beezh wedegamabgun dadabtuh be nenin·jeed
Odae kabya oninjcn wejcabnoke mah
-gud-enig kahya oninjeen mamin
-obah-to-mah.gud-onig ozid-un anokejin
Shomeeng-gwane nuh quatuog Hiawatha
emah andah nuh·ke-waud Dacotah-ug
dah Wabequahkose Odahnun
.. Minnehaha bahpeD wajewuDoqua
Mahyah ma we quah nabje wid anduhshed equa
ningah be nah emah kewe-gewlluming
ween dab-peme·bah-too kcdahmoke-win-ing
Kegah dodah-nungome-naun kegah dibik okeziss
-ominaun kegah odishkodamin-aun
ogahogezis-omin-ah-waun bllmahctisejig
bootch gayaub-ee ekedoo Nokomis
Benahkan kago andahyaun mayug-e-zid
Cbeonje we Dud odahkee mewaung Dacotah
·ug keche muh je ezhe wahbe se Dllcotab wenene
:Moosh-ug kemegah.ne-gonahnie
:Meshenud \Duh she wananje gall dasenog
lah-ke·e-de·win ka·yah·be ahyahkoosing
bootch Kahya-be dah-baus-kaush·kah
Bahpe naqwatllDg Hiawatha
ODjC cwh atah kahgllgo bah·kaun
newe onje ahse kwanahjewid Daeotah.equa
Che oDje mnb-muh-we·ze·wand
bamah.dis·ejig kahya chewah
-nan.je-gah.dag kemegahding
Kahya mah·ke-ede-win-aun ehe
.noje·moo-muh-guk wckah
Cbe-me-q UaD-jc-gab-da-se-noog."
Hiawatha '1TU!7UJ.ltwal. wegeU'auming
dah-qwi8h·en alw neezhing Multwude8hewad
Wabe kwoh lwse lJ'IJhsegwe ahwe
Nahqua8h kah waud ekedood
Ne-me-nwan-dum dahgwish enun
Hiawatha.
.. Azhe·ze·da be nid
Minnehaha yaun Hia?~atlta opah
Gedoom-waun walt-waush-kQ/$}U!
·wun. Owb-mab maun-dab
goqua enab-he obgedeDauD
odah·nah-kun ekedood
~ah·agallr 'e me nwandum
Dah gwillh inun Hiawatha.
Kagat anabun dumingcn ezhe be zin daum
akedood owh Hiawatha
15
Arrow-Maker:
.. Yes, if Minnehaha wishes,
Let your heart speak, Minnehaha."
Seating herself beside him, Minnehaha says:
" I will follow you, my husband."
As Hiawatha and Minnekaha leave: The old Arrow-maker
says (standing in the door of the tent) :
" Thus it is our daughters leave us,
Those we love and those who love us!
Just when they have learned to help us
'When we are old and lean upon them,
Comes a youth with flaunting feathers,
'With his flute of reeds, a stranger
Wanders piping through the village,
Beckons to the fairest maiden,
And she follows where he leads her.
Leaving all things for the stranger. 
SCENE VI.
THE WEDDING FEAST
Nokomis:
"0, Pau-Puk-Keewis,
Dance for us your merry dances,
Dance the Beggars' dance to please us,
That the feast may be more joyous,
That the time may pass more gaily,
And our guests be more contented."
(Pau-Puk-Keewis dances.)
Then they said to Chibiabos,
Chorus :
"Sing to us, O Chibiabos,
Songs of love and songs of longing,
That the feast may be more joyous,
That the time may pass more gaily
And our guests be more contented."
Iagoo's story is here related. Dances, games, etc.
SCENE VII.
BLESSING THE CORNFIELDS - MONDAMIN
SCENE; VIII.
GATHERING THE CORN
SCENE: IX.
PICTURE WRITING
Hiawatha;
"Lo, how all things fade and perish!
From the memory of the old men
Fade away the great traditions," etc.
GITCHE MANITO
Mitche Manito, the mighty Spirit of Evil.
Serpent - crafty, cunning; and many signs drawn on
skins and bark.
16
Kah-ish-quah ne-be-wah duh soo be boon aguk ish-quah-m~
-gahding nebe-wah-dahsoo kcke nonowin keshing
ga..niuding kahya kemisqwe-eding
Noongoom dukgoo me-no-enllh-wan se-win egewh
Ojibwaig kahya egaukeh Bwahnug
o-ooh me-no enah wan de win che kahge
gil. me noD ezhe wabuk kahya che be me
Sl\hge ne-ka-ne-ding kahya che we je daeinding
me-zhe-shin mahbllh maum mun-dah-go-qua.
Che we degamah gun eyun Minnehaha
Bahpenwajewun oqua mahyah mowe quah nab je wid
anduh-shid Bwaun-equa
Kagate anandung ~[jnnehaha
Pull-ge-din-un Ke-denanduh·mo-win )Iinnehaha
Wahwanah beMis·ood nuh.wujbiisho
}linnehalla ekedo ()[jnnehaba)
Kegah nope-nuh-nin ne-nab-baim
"oabequokose ekedo me-sub null gah ne·
nung kedah-nis-enaun owh kah sahgee nung
Kahya kah suh·ge-ung Peje-naug·ego-nah
guj ke ah buh je ung l>.akan dung che nah duh rno nung
LOOKINO SOUTH FROM KILLALY POINT, DESBARATS ISLANDS.
.. Uhpe Gekuh rung kahya ubpa-ne-moyung
mepe dahqwishing oshkenah-wa ka gwah ne
Suh gush kahegad pahbah ahye nah bid we gewaum
-ing odanah ayezhc·se-nenig buh wahwahte
quah ah mabwf\ud l\lahmaundahgoquan
Kahya bug·gedenedezood ogechedabqua nope
-nuhnaud dush rnayug-ese·ne jen
Buh-ge-din.ung Kuhya nuh.gahdung
Kah ke nab opeshe gandab gose win"
17
SCE EX.
Medicine Men. Pau·Puk-Keewis and his Winninqs. "Hark
you," shouted Pau-puk·keewis-- " I am tired of all this talk­ing"--
As a taunt to Hiawatha. With a stealtlty step he en-
tered, etc, As an insult to Nokomis, as a taunt to Minnehaha,
etc. Iagoo tells of the hunting of Pau-Puk-keewis, of his death
and of his changing into an eagle.
Here scenes are sometimes introduced that suit tlte locality or
the cast in some special way,
PAU-PUK-KEEWIS.-" As an insult to Nokomis, as a taunt to Minnehaha."
SCENE XI.
IAGOO TELLS OF THE WHITE MAN'S FOOT
.. he had seen, he said, a water,
Bigger than the big sea water,
Broader than the Gitchee Gumee,
Bitter so that Done could drink it."
18
VI.
WEKOON DE WIN WAUB UN JE GAHDAG WEDEGANG
Nokomis ekedoo ..
o Pau-Puk-Keewis
Neme-kuh we she naum kemojezeshe
mo win un kahya ahne-mokaune-win
Che me nwah buh me go yun kahya cheme
nwah bah me quah wah komaungig
nuh wuj Cho ooje moje gis-c-yung
Ode-nah-wauo Chibiabos-un
Nuh gah moo tuh wish enaum
Chibiabos we-ne-mo-shan nuh-gahmoon
Kewe koon de win-e-naun Iluh wauj che me
-nwan-dahgwauk kllhya che-moje-guk
Wauk-kom-muD-gig nuh wuj Che
Mo-je-giz-e·waud.
Iagoos odenah je mo win.
WAUBUN DAHEDEWlN VlI.
Shah wan e mind-mun-dalt-Tilin
WAUBUN JE GAWIN VIII.
MU11·dah-min-e-kang
WAUBUN JE GAWIN IX.
Muh zin-e·beegang
Hiawatha ..
Eouh Gah ke Buh go. goo-abnooj kah
Kahva gah kee nuh bah nab dud
Emah ode nan dah mowine waung
Egewh uhke-wnn-ze-yang
Kahya ah-nooj-kah ah-dis-oka-win.
Giche Munedoo - meze wa azhe noegad kahya.
Muje munedoo Mashkahwe-zid mujezhe-cltegad onje muje ezhe
wrtbeze tcin onje-Kenabig; Medawe-win Ohesuh-kcwin Kahya
ahnooje ezlle kaltke nah wahjeche ga win.
eHE WAH BAUN JE GASOOD MEDAE X.
Pau-Puk-Keewis kahya opahkenahgawinu:l Kahya o!ao8a
win OUJh Pau·Puk-Kecwis. .
(Here Beene8 are tKnnetimu introduced from HiawatluJ that
are not mentioned in the play.)
19
 [ fVomen and men scoff]
.. Kaw," they said, "we don't believe it. ",
O'er it, said he, o'er this water,
Came a great canoe with pinions,
A canoe with wings came flying,
Bigger than a grove of pine trees,
Taller than the tallest tree-tops!
And the old men and the women
Looked and tittered at each other.
"Kaw I" they said, "we don't believe it."
From its mouth, he said, to greet him,
Came Waywassimo, the lightnmg,
Came the thunder, Annemeekee I
" Kaw ! " they said, ".what tales you tell us! "
In the great canoe with pinions
Came, he said, a hundred warriors;
Painted white were all their faces,
And with hair their chins were covered.
.. Kaw !" etc.
THE CHIEF’S TEPEE.
Only Hiawatha laughed not;
" True is all Iagoo tells us ;
I have seen it in a vision,
Seen the great canoe with pinions,
Seen the people with white faces,
Seen the coming of this bearded
People of the wooden vessel, .
From the regions of the morning,
From the shining land of Wabun.
20
Xl.
Cite wah baun je gah sod Iagoo Kahpe ke-1cad o·pede bah dodalllb
kahya debah-je maud wahyah-bish-ke-1ca-71e-jin ayezhe se-da-1Lid
kahya
Oge wah bun daun ekedo ewh Debee
Nah wnj maehaug an-ne go quaug
E ewh ke ge ehe gum me min naun
Nah wuj mang gah da yang
Ane go Quang kegeehe gum me-me-nann
\Vesug-gun kah-ween me·ne-qua·seem
Equa-wug kahya enene-wug bah pe wug
Te-wa ekedoo-wug kahween kedabwasee
·Me-nah.wah emah ebeeng ninge-waub bun daun
Pezbah-mah-guk keebe-ehe-maun ewh chemaun
On-ning-gwe.gah.nah-mah-guk preje-sa-muh guk
On-ningwe-gunug nah wuj minde-do-wug
Dush ween keehe shingwaukoong kahya nah
-wuj ish-pah-wun'dush ween keehe
Shingwaukoong. Kekahgah nah-waub-nn-de
-waug uhkee-wanze-yaug kahya mind·de-mow
-ya wug Kahween ekedoo-wug kahween
Kedababwa-tah·go-see
Emah odoonillg ninge-ah-ne·me.kahg
Waus-sah-mowining ke-zhe-nah.gwuk
Kahya Abne-me-keeng ke·e·nwa·waig
Kahweentah-ezbe·wa-bus·enoon kedoon-zah
mah-je.mo.tah.we.min
Emah kcebe-ehe-mauning keah·yab-",'ug
Ningodwauk megahzo·win-enne-wug
Waub-ish-ke.bc-egah-da-nig odange·gwye
·waun Kahya keehe·obcwahyah
.ne·wun odah·me-kaun·e-waun
Kahween o-oo·tah ezhe wa buse noon
Ween·aroh Hiawatha kahween bahpesce
Ekedoo kah ke nah da bwa Iagoo
Azhe weendah moon nung
Kah-kcna 0-00 ninge-waub·bundaun emah ezhe
.nah.mowing.ing ninge-waub-bun daun ·keche ('he·
-naun Pedaush·shah·mish·kah-waud wahyah-bish
-keen·gwa·jlg wabewah·ye-dahmekung
-gig Metlg waje-maun-e'jig
Wandah-bun-ne·nig pe.onje-bah-waud
Geche munedo mah yuh mab·we-musb��kub
.we sid owh Gieheojechaug Kah-ozhe-e·nung
Obe ezhe nab zhah waun ehe be duhnis·enid
Pedonid odekeed-o·win
Debe kabe-me ezhah wahgwan negaun tabbe
mosh.ke'Dl\ abmoochebe me ozbetood ahmoo
Sinse-bahquang kabya debe Che-be·me-dah·koo
21
"Gitche Manito, the Mighty,
The Great Spirit, the Creator,
Sends them hither on his errand,
Sends them to us with his message;
Wheresoe’er they move, before them
Swarms the stingiug fly, the Ahmo,
Swarms the bee, the honey-maker;
Wheresoe'er they tread, beneath them
Springs a flower unknown among us,
Springs the White-man's Foot in blossom.
"Let us welcome, then, tire strangers,
Hail them as our friends and brothers,
And the heart's right hand of friendship
Give them when they come to see us.
Gitche Manito, the Mighty,
Said this to me in my vision.
"I beheld, too, in that vision,
All the secrets of the future,
Of the distant days that shall be.
I beheld the westward marches
Of the unknown, crowded nations.
All the land was full of people,
Restless, struggling, toiling, striving,
Speaking many tongues, yet feeliug
But one heart-beat in their bosoms;
In the woodlands rang their axes,
Smoked their towns in all the valleys,
Over all the lakes and rivers
Rushed their great canoes of thunder.
•, Then a darker, drearier vision
Passed before me, vague and cloud-like:
I beheld our nation scattered,
All forgetful of my counsel ,
Weakened, warring with each other;
Saw the remnants of our people
weeping westward, wild and woeful,
Like the cloud-rack of a tempest,
Like the withered leaves of autumn!"
COMING OF THE BLACK-ROBE
22
Ke-wa-qwan me-go-emah wahbegoon Che
-be-me sah-gah-ke-muh-guk mego emah
-Osid-daung kabe-onje-sah-guk-keeg waubegoon
Umbo. wah-weeo-go. odah-pio-nah-dah wahowh
}\1ayug-esid ehe enah-wa-muog debishkoo
De-be-oahwa keje-ke-wa-oauo
Kahya emah quah-yuk we-je-kewa-en-de-wiooiog
Me-nah-dah 0-00
Che ooje me-nwah bah-me-nuog
Geehe .muoedo Mah-yah muh-we mush
kah we zid
Nege wah-buo-dauo neen-o-oo-kah-ke·nuh
emah ezhe lluh-moo-win-iog
.. Me-oah-wah ninge waub dauo emah ezhe
-nuh-mo-wio-ing ke-moje wah-ezhe-wo.-buk
bah-mah ehe-ah-ne gahge zhe-guk ninge waub
-ah maug ningah-be-aun-oong ezhe-mah-jah-waud
Ke-ka-lle-mah-se·willd-dwah azhe nowaud
Ah-nooj e azhe ween-zood bamah-dis-sid be
-me-moosb-ke-nad omah uhkecng ahpuhna
Ahnoke-waud ke-kandub-sig-wah ahyakoosee­waud
abnooje-anwa-jig pooch bazhigwah
-noong enan-dub-moo-waud
Magwah-yab-quah beme-muddwa-sing
'Wabgabqud meze-wa ebe-be me baush
-kenah-wa-waud aye-nabdinaug kahya
Aye-zhe-tig-gwa-yaug sebe-waun kabya
Sahgabhegun-un chebeme mahjesh
-kabnig odah-ne·meke wadis-ewinewaun
Medusb kewah-bun-dub-maun pegush
-kedebick-kuk kahya penahnezaun-ne
-nabwauk pemeahgodag mudge ahnah
-Quaud emab anah-sah-me-yaun
Peme-ah-go-dag l\1edush ge wah buh
mug gwah gejah-nish-nah ba nah
-nig sab-swanezhe-mowaud onje
Ke-wahnand-dah nowaud ning
gab-ge-qua-wio-aun kabya nab
Wauje Shah-gwe-we·ind-wah kabya
Apung-gesbe-moog abpung ewa
-waud be_me_p;ush_kanduh.mowaud
Onje-ewh muje-aun-nah-quud
Debisb-koo dahgwah-gig Pung·ge-sing
Ah-ne-bish-un.
WAUBAUN ZE GANG. XII.
Be_daush_sltalt_mish_kah_mud-gud. eke-rnaun kalige-qua-
win-nene duh-gwishing
Hiawatha ekedoo
One-zhe-shin kahya me-naus-se·ga
keziss duhgwash-in-nun oh-keen
.Mayug.gese-yun geche.wa~1uh
SCEXE XII.
COMING OF THE BLACK-ROBE, IN A CANOE,
WITH GUIDES
Hiawatha says to the "Missionary and his companions
" Beautiful is the sun, O strangers,
When you come so far to see us!
All our town in peace awaits you,
All our doors stand open for you;
You shall enter all our wigwams, .
For the heart's right hand we give you.
.. Never bloomed the earth so gaily,
Never shone the sun so brightly,
As to-day they shine and blossom,
When you come so far to see. us,
.. Never before had our tobacco
Such a sweet and pleasant flavor,
Never the broad leaves of our cornfields
Were so beautiful to look on,
As they seem to us this morning,
When you come so far to see us."
The Missionary answers in broken Indian:
.. Peace be with you, Hiawatha.
Peace be with you and your people,
Peace of prayer and peace of pardon,
Peace of Christ and joy of Mary'"
All braves, old men, etc. :
.. It is well," they said:' O brother,
That you came so far to see' us ! ..
The message of the gospel is then given.
'The chiefs' answer:
.. 'We have listened to your message,
We have heard your words of wisdom,
We will think on what you tell us;
It is well for us, O brothers,
That you came so far to see us."
24
Gebe-onje-bah be-waub-bah-mc
-yaung kahke-Duh pezaun-ne-Sin nind
.oda-nah-we-naun pegoyun kah
-keuah pahkeDdase-noon wegewaum mun
Che-peen-de-ga-yun cmah-oe-me
.no-daell-win-anaug mamind
-Duhga me-nwah-be-gone ewh uhkee
Kuyha keziss me Dwah segae kahya
Wahsag-gezhe-gud anje geche
-wl\h-sah beouje-bah-yun be-waub
-bum-me-yaung maminduhga
Kabya me-nwah-kezoo opwah-gun
)Iaymin-dah-ga gahya me-no
-bug-ge mundah·min me-nwah
-buh-me-oaug-go-se gah-na-wah
-bah-miDd noogoom kegczhab
-ah-waug-gllk
Be wah bum me yaung
Oloh kahgequa we-nene duhglOi81tin
!JIcaych ahni81tenaltba moBig
BezallD-ezewin ahyaun Hiawatha
Kabya kebamahdes-emallg
!\Ie-no ah naum-meahwin kahya
Opzaun-ezewin kahya 08hahwan
dahgosec-win owh Christ
Kflltkemah-ogchedaug UhkelCan ozeug
Kahkenah one-she-shin ekedoo
-wug oh-nekah-nis.en-nalln
onje wah-sah peonje-bnh-yaun pewah
bum me yaung one she shin dub
f/wi8h enun wah 8ah peonje bahyun
~Iedusb mah je debabdo dung
)Icnwah je.mowin
Wage-mah-wid nahqua-tum
Ningepe-zindah-min kerlebah
-je-mowin ning-ge-pezind-dah min
Kene-bwah-knh we-ke-zbwa-win-un
Ning gab nahnab gab dah wan
-dah-min kah-ezhe-yallDg
Oneshe-shin oDje Deen-Dall-wind
Oh-nekahnis kepedllgwish-ennan
Wah suh peonje bah yun
Be waltb bum me yaung
25
LAST SCENE. - xm.
DEPARTURE.
Hiawatha says adien to his people in the village, and then
Says to Nokomis and the tribe :
"I am going, O Nokomis,
On a long and distant journey,
To the portals of the sunset,
To the regions of the home-wind,
Of the north-west wind, Keewaydin,
But these guests I leave behind me,
In your watch and ward I leave them;
See that never harm comes near them,
See that never fear molests them,
Never danger nor suspicion,
Never want of food or shelter.
In the lodge of Hiawatha."
.. I am going, O my people.
On a long and distant journey:
Many moons and many winters
Will have come and will have vanished,
Ere I come again to see you.
But my guests I leave behind me;
Listen to their words of wisdom,
Listen to the truth they tell you,
For the Master of Life has sent them,
From the land of light and morning! "
On the shore stood Hiawatha,
Turned and waved his hand at parting;
On the clear and luminous water
Launched his birch canoe for sailing,
From the pebbles of the margin
Shoved it forth into the water,
Whispered to it, “Westward, Westward,"
and with speed it darted forward.
And they said, "Farewell forever!"
Said, Farewell, O Hiawatha! "
26
lSBQUAUJ B1A JVATBA Xll/.
:Me-sub mah-jah yaun-Nokomis
Wah sub wa kahmig mind-ezhah
Wanjeesh qwandayaug Pungeshemog
Ewede kewadin oong kahya ningah-beanng
Ogowh dush ne mllh jallg gesemug
ne nub gab naug keen che
gah-nub-wan-ne-mud-wah gagoe
Che muje-dodah-gooh-see·gwah
Kagoo chenah-nezac-nan-dah-sig-wah
Gagoo dub-bah-kahdasee wug
Mah-no been-dig Hiawatha
Andaud dah-ah-yah-wug
Ne-mah-jah neje ke waedoog
Wah·sah kahya nebewah kekenoon-no
Win-un dahgahbekoossawun
)Iepedush pe-je-nug chebeduh
gwish-enaun che-be waub-buh
-me-qe-nah-goog
Egewh dush nemuh-yaug-gese maug
nag&h-nug.gig
Bezin.dah-moog onebwah-kah we
gezhwa. win-ewaun
DESBARATS ISLANDS, OPPOSITE THE DRAMA GROUNDS.
Be-zin-dah-moog dabwawin
Walln-dah moon na-gwah
Owh daban-dung be-mah
-dis-ewin Oge pe-ezhe-nsh
·shah-waun beonje bllb
-Ilid wanje wahsayaug
27
NOTE, -Miss Alice M. Longfellow. who witnessed the play at
Desbarats,says:-
.. It possessed an indescribable charm, The spot selected for the
drama could not have been more beautiful or more appropriate. Ken­sington
Point. Desbarats, is in the very heart of the Ojibway Land, and
the legend came from there in the long ago,
“Mr. Armstrong originated the idea. The drama was delightful
from beginning to end. It was made up of consecutive scenes from the
poem, and although a great many of the minor parts were omitted. the
whole legend has been told at the conclusion of the performance."
LONGFELLOW ISLAND,
The residence of the Longfellow family during the performance of the
the play of 1900,
[By courtesy of Everybody's Magazine]
Pau~Puk-Keewis and the four pictures of the last scene are from
photographs of the drama of 1900.
“Whispered to it, Westward, Westward;
And with speed it darted forward,"
28
Wand-dah-baung
Chege-bt:eg-nebllbwe Hiawatha
Ke-kwa-ketah ombene-kane ahne
Mah jaud weah-ne-ezhaud emah
Kacbe benahgah-me.nig nebee
Kcpuh koo be;: naud Owegwas
chemaun emah chegebeeg
Anduh nah·je-mong
Ogegllus-kllh nuh-zotaun
o-oo-ke-ekedood ning-gah-be
-aun-ong Ding-gah-lJeunoog
&le dush ke mah je beda Dig.
“And the waves upon the margin.
Rising, rippling on the pebbles,
Sobbed-Farewell, O Hiawatha."
29
AHGIN-DAUN NAHYASH
o 0 dush ode-nab-waun
Redah-nah-me-kahgo onje
Kahgenig we ondan de yaun
Neen Hiawatha !
LONGFELLOW AND McNAB ISLANDS, DESBARATS.
On the left the island in mid-channel is Longfellow's Island, where the
Longfellow family stayed during the representation
of the drama of 1900.
30
Mississaga ~ Desbarats
Canoe Trip
The Mississaga canoe trip is the newest, the swiftest,
the safest, and the most beautiful of canoe trips. It
starts from Winnebago Siding on the main line of the
Canadian Pacific Railway, branches off from the main
river at or near Three Island Rapids, and through a
series of lakes and rivers meandering through a wild
and unsettled country for sixty miles to Desbarats.
Most of the portages are through primeval forests and
every variety of North Canadian fish and game, large
and small. is to be had upon that route. Travel fairly
quickly until you leave the Mississaga artd then spend
your time in going slowly through these inland lakes
and streams.
For guides, canoes and supplies, also maps and
information, write to Passenger Traffic Manager,
Canadian Pacific Railway
MONTREAL
One of our landings on Iron Lake. Mlssissaga.Desbarats
Canoe Route.
31
HOW TO REACH DESBARATS.
DESBARATS, ONT., is reached by the Canadian
Pacific Railway from Boston, New York, and
the East generally, via Montreal. From BuffalO"
by Canadian Pacific Railway and steamers from
Owen Sound to Sault Ste. Marie, near which is
Desbarats. A dock has been built at Desbarats.
which gives direct connection with steamers from
all points on the Great Lakes. From the West,
Desbarats is reached by the Duluth, South
Shore, and Atlantic Railway, and by the Min­neapolis,
St. Paul, and Sault Ste. Marie Railway.
All leading Chicago Railway Lines have connec­tions
with Desbarats. At Desbarats the great
Northern Forest is reached by waggon roads,
canoe routes, and trails which lead into this forest
primeval and to countless virgin lakes and rivers.
32
From the Clarke Historical Library, CMU. This material is protected
under Title 17 Copyright Law of the United States. Any further
reproduction or distribution is prohibited without the permission
of the copyright owner.