There used to be a gathering made up of all the neighbouring women of a specific area or camp. This was because men would often sleep over many nights on their usual hunting trips. Once they were properly outfitted with boots and mittens, they were off again to their strenuous work. In summertime, too, the men would want to collect various plants for winter food and other uses. Once winter set in they would strive again in their search for animals. It was their constant struggle and they would often camp over many nights during their hunt.
There was a big community of people with many tents. Only women were inhabiting it at the time for, as usual, the men were out. On this occasion the men were making preparations in anticipation of the onset of winter, the season when animals were scarce. This very large fellowship of women had an old woman who was a shaman of sorts. This old woman was very, very tiny. Her neighbours, her juniors, all knew that she was a shaman.
They had been alone for a long time when, one night, they heard wolf cries. It was a very large number of wolves that were heard howling. Out of fear, the women all gathered in the largest tent of the lot for it was pitch black. There was nothing for them to do in defence, they had no flood light and no hunting weapon (they were all women). You see, packs of wolves of this kind are to be feared, the kind with very little fur.
When it was evident that this type of wolf had come to their camp, some said, “Our little old woman most likely could tell what the wolves were doing. Put her ceremonial fringe belt on! Put her ceremonial fringe belt on! See if she can stop them.?
So they gathered in the tent and banged items together to create noise. The old lady’s answer was, “No, though I pity you dearly, I doubt that I can help you.?
They responded by saying that even if she couldn’t protect them, at least she should try. So they arranged her ceremonial charms and fringe belt and amulets on her. They urged her to try and find out, “Before they come in too close in proximity, just give it a try.” They were about to be finished off, eaten by the wolves.
So there they were, gathered in the largest tent. When we would be inland hunting in the summer, our only source of light would be a precious little candle and a small amount of lard. That is all that the women had for light. They were gathered there with their tiny source of light. Then the shaman spoke, telling them to completely shut the light out; she would be the only source of light. Then she carefully lit a piece of moss which she held. She instructed them to completely darken the tent. The darkness caused a wave of fear and confusion for a moment as they realized they would be working in the dark. She warned that it would not work if anyone banged to make noise or struck a light again. She said she would give it a try. It didn’t take much to convince them to listen to her.