The Bear Medicine Clan

Another story told to me by my grandmother was about the Origin of the Bear
Medicine Clan. Her mother was a member of the Bear Medicine Society:

Once upon a time, a sickly old man, covered with sores, entered an Indian
village where over each wigwam was placed the sign of their particular clan.
For example, the Beaver Clan member had a beaver skin, and the Deer Clan had
a Deer skin hanging near the doorway.

The old man went to each door asking for food and lodging. However, everyone
was repulsed by this old man's appearance and were afraid to let him near.
The Wolf, Turtle, and Heron Clan members all told him to go away. The deer,
the snipe, and the others did the same.
Just about the time this man was to give up, he came to the home of an old
woman of the Bear Clan. She was a kindly old woman who asked him to come
into her wigwam and she made him a bed of skins to lie upon. The woman asked
the man about his health, and he told her to go to the forest and gather
certain herbs, barks, and berries. The woman went to the forest and
collected all that she was told. She prepared a potion according to the Old
Man's instructions and he miraculously healed.
However, the man suddenly had another ailment. She again went to the woods
and fields and brought back all the herbs, and continued in this manner
until the man had shown her the cures to all the ailments.

This went on for days until the Woman of the Bear Clan had learned all the
cures and portions. His last instruction were for her to grow a Hemlock Tree
in front of her wigwam. The Woman was amazed at how tall this tree grew in a
short time. It stood well above all the other trees in the village. The
Hemlock could be seen and identified her wigwam as a place of healing. The
Old Man suddenly changed into a much younger, strong man. He then revealed
to the Old Woman that he was the Great Spirit. He had come to find a worthy
receiver of the powers of Medicine. Since the Bear Clan Woman was the only
one who would offer him food and shelter, she was given the gift of healing,
and Bear Clan is still The Keepers of Medicine today. Bear takes precedence
over all the other clans in power, because they are said to have compassion
for human life, as told to me by my grandmother.

Bear teaches us strength and gentleness. It reminds us not to use our
strength towards another, unless there is no other choice. It is far easier
to strike out, than to control ones temper. A strong man does not use his
strength to intimidate others.

TAKE NOTE : Bear Clan members are generally leaders within their community
and fight for their families best interests.

A Bear has two sides to his personality. On one hand he is curious,
cheerful, good-natured, and deliberate. On the other hand, they are quick to
anger, because they are sure of their own power, and will defend their
family to the death. Bears only enemies are man and forest fires.