He was an old elder of the Onion Lake Reservation, of the Plains Cree First
Nation.  He was known as Antoine Little Wolf.  As a young warrior he endured many
things at the hands of others.  He learned to be patient.  He taught he's sons
hard lessons.  He was known to have a sharp tongue in his younger years. He
loved to dance the dances of the Fathers.  Antoine Little Wolf learned the way of
the spirits and had many visions.   He was an Elder always giving counsel to
who ever wanted it (and sometimes to those who did not want it).
 
The story of his retuning to the Fathers will be remembered by all who came to
his burial.  It starts many months before.  Little Wolf felt it was time, to
share that which he saw with his adopted son and dear friend.  For several years,
before his old body could no longer do for itself, he sat with his adopted
son, talking about many things; told him of sacred places; taught him the ways of
the peace pipe; told him of his visions.  Mother Earth whispered many things to
Little Wolf.  Little Wolf wanted to make sure he had done his restitution,
wanted to leave behind the old ways which he only knew too well.  He wanted to
make sure that these things could be taught to his sons, when his sons were ready
to receive them.  For his sons walked other roads at this time looking at other
Gods and not to the Creator. Many nights now Little Wolf talked to the
ancestors that came to give him direction and to the Fathers that told him it was soon
time for him to come home.  Then came Brother Bear.
 
Brother Bear came in the brightness of the afternoon sun and peered into the
small kitchen window looking to talk to his brother.  Little Wolf could not see
him for his aging eyes were not able to see much of this physical earth any
more, but his beloved wife did.  Little Wolf could hear his wife shooing away
something at the window.  He inquired to his beloved wife what was going on and was
told about Brother Bear at the window.  He asked her if Brother Bear had
brought a message from the Fathers for him.  She did not know for she had forgotten
to ask.  It was then that Little Wolf knew it was time. 
 
Little Wolf, because he knew time was of the essence now, started his sacred
chants and prayers.  It was time to get ready for the ancestor that was going to
come and take his spirit home.  He talked increasingly more with the Fathers.
  He talked increasingly more with the ancestors.  He saw many visions night and
day.  His heart was softened, he could no longer see much and his physical body
was failing him.  But his spirit, oh the spirit of one who does the will of
the Fathers, becomes stronger and mightier as they strive to do the will of the
Creator.  He continued his prayers.  His adopted son and friend continued to
visit and learn and they talked much, Little Wolf doing most of the talking.  They
would fall asleep as they sat together and talked of sacred things.
 
Then at last Antoine Little Wolf was taken to the white man's hospital.  His
friend now became the white boy that fed him, for he no longer could make out who
was there, for now also his hearing was gone.  He continued his prayers.  His
prayers now changed and now the prayers were only to the Creator to send the
mighty eagle for his spirit when it was time.   He no longer could hear, and
maybe wished not to hear, that which was said around him.  His concentration was on
his spirit and the Creator.  For 3 weeks he prayed and chanted and
concentrated on what would happen to his spirit.  Many things he said to his sons for he
wanted to leave this earth knowing he said all and sorted out all that he could
for the past mistakes he had made in his life.
 
He finally let this life come to an end.  We all mourned for our elder, our
friend, father and grandfather.  He taught us much.  Helping us grow with much
understanding.  As we had our wake for him, he was seen many times dancing to the
beat of the drummers.  He was heard to say .."Pick up the pace boys, pick up
the pace."  The grave was dug, the casket placed inside.  The family in front
ready to pick their footsteps around the grave, it was then when it happened.
  "Look! Look up there!" was the cry with someone pointing to the sky.  All came to
an immediate stopped in their tracks, how someone dare disturb the solitude,
the mourning.  But all who heard looked up.
 
From the east they came.  A sight that none in these parts had ever seen
before.  They were only about 100 feet up in the sky.  You could almost reach up and
touch the two of them.  They were magnificent and grand beyond description.
  The eagles had come for Little Wolf.  Just as he knew they would.   There were
two of them and they came from the east.  They were so close you could hear the
swoosh of their wings, so close you could see their piercing eyes,  so close you
could feel of their spirit.  As they came closer circling on the air currents
they came to the gravesite and circled around it three times.  In awe we all
watched as we sensed that they picked up Antoine Little Wolf's spirit and took it
with them to the west.  It left us awestruck and a feeling of total rejoicing
came over everyone