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MONDAY, JANUARY 7, 2002

"Once a slim, winding water snake ate a community and became a fat and bloated boa they named Lake Sakakawea. Below the belly of this reptile, where the ghosts of Sahnish or Arikara lived, is the story of the people. And so, children are told, you need to provide the grandfather with sweets and tobacco so that he will recount the tales.

I didn't provide tobacco to my relative at Spirit Lake because he doesn't smoke, but I did bring sweet jelly and coffee, and he did tell me about what lies beneath Lake Sakakwea near White Shield, N.D. . ."

Get the Story:
COLUMNIST DORREEN YELLOW BIRD: Sakakawea covers Nishu, but not its history (The Grand Forks Herald 1/5)

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Yellow Bird: Faith since Sep. 11 (12/17)