Bear Clan Origin Myth ver 8 - Winnebago Version 8. It is told that at a large spring there suddenly appeared a bear whose body was sky-blue and so bright that it seemed like part of the sky itself. This was Blue Bear, and Earth maker brought him there for a special purpose. Standing to the side of Blue Bear were twelve men. Then, unexpectedly, four times the earth shook, and each time a great spirit being came up from the earth. When the third of these emerged, the earth erupted in fruit of every kind and in plenty it was spread over the earth. And Earth maker told Blue Bear that he, and all who were with him, were to go to a gathering at Red Banks. As they tread the earth, it shook, and the leaves with spiny edges changed to men, and so too the thorns and briars, the serpents with sharp fangs, and the birds of prey with the sharp talons -- all these became men under the charge of Blue Bear. When they arrived, they found that a place had already been prepared for them, but they did not tarry there long. Blue Bear announced that Earth maker had made these men to be spiritual guardians to ward off evil from the Hotcâgara, for they were all soldiers among the living things of this world. When this was made known, everyone dispersed to their homes, but those who remained behind as men became the Hotcâk Soldier (Bear) Clan. retold by Richard L. Dieterle http://hotcakencyclopedia.com/ho.BearClanOriginMyth.html Come visit us at. "Keeper of Stories". http://www.newkeeperofstories.com/