Amik
Amik, or Beaver is a large semi-aquatic rodent known for building dams on rivers and streams. They are capable of engineering ecosystem habitats that benefit not only Amik but a wide variety of other mammals, birds, amphibians, and reptiles. Historically, the beaver was found all throughout North America. However, extensive land clearing and fur trapping diminished the population. Thankfully, stewardship has now allowed for gradual recovery. Amik’s webbed hind feet, broad scaly tail, and waterproof fur oil allow them to excel in the northern aquatic regions. Beaver does not hibernate, they’d rather strengthen the insulation surrounding the lodge and stay active all season.
One of the Greats
To Anishinabe, Amik is to be regarded as one of the greats, some may even say very great. Long ago, Amik stood upright, as tall as man. Such stature allowed beaver to grow and dominate the lands. They built homes so well, there was no need for fire to keep warm. They had little need for clothing or coverings, for they were blessed with fur covered bodies. Their large sharp teeth allowed them to fell any tree with ease. They built roads, channels, and paths for all of creation. Amik worked endlessly to provide for the community, all while raising respectable children that would also contribute. For all of these great qualities, beaver was prideful. They were not shy and let the others know how great they were. This confused the early Anishinabe, for they were meant to be the greatest of creation and establish the balance of life. Amik grew to disrupt this balance, so Anishinabe spoke to creator. They asked to be restored to their place in creation. Creator understood, and so made Amik to be smaller than man and to only desire life in and on the water. Beaver maintained their great qualities of intelligence and generosity, but were made to be less ‘great’ generation after generation. A lesson to not take your status for granted, you are small in the eyes of creation.
Conclusion
For many years beaver learned to live with this new stature. Having maintained their skills and generosity, they also upheld their pride. It was not long before Amik was back to bragging. One day, he bragged to the birds, ‘oh don’t you wish you had a tail so strong?’ Having the ability to fly made the birds chuckle, ‘what use do we have for a tail?’ Irritated with their response, beaver moved further down the shoreline where they met muskrat. Amik asked, ‘what do you think of my tail?’ Muskrat admired the beaver, ‘well, it is very beautiful and big and fluffy. Is it also strong?’ Beaver shocked by such a question ‘why, yes of course, don’t you wish you had a tail like mine?’ Muskrat had little interest in being like another, they admired the qualities of all but felt no contempt for the gifts creation bestowed upon each of them. ‘No, I don’t need a tail like yours, I have a tail like mine.’ This drove Amik mad, how could little muskrat not desire a tail like beaver? Enraged the beaver began chewing through a very large tree. Distracted by his thoughts of his tail, the tree was cut on the wrong side. It began to fall toward beaver, before they could leap out of the way their tail was crushed. Amik pulled and pried until finally they were free. Seeing their tail flattened they began to cry. A voice came from the sky ‘why are you crying?’ It was that of Gitchi Manidoo. Beaver shrieked, ‘my tail, a tree has crushed it, no one will ever think me beautiful again!’ The thunderous voice rained down over the pond, ‘you are loved for your generosity, not your beauty. Be kind and take pride in what you create, not what I have created. Now you will swim faster than ever. It’s better this way.’