Peqas was running. He could feel the tire in his legs, steadily rising like sap in spring, and yet he ran. His pace was not the swift, furious sprint of the hunting cougar, nor the reckless, haughty flight of its prey, the deer. No, he ran like the wandering wolf that was his totem, each step steady and strong, eating a little more of the road ahead, covering vast distances over the course of weeks and months, each step just one of many many more.
Peqas was a skilled hunter, his bow had brought home many a deer to his tribe, yet it was not his aim that had given him this task. Rather it was his stamina, the silent strength that let him follow his prey for hours or days, and carrying home its meat after the inevitable kill. That, and his courage, wit and wisdom. Now he was tired, yet he kept running.
He did not run for his own survival, nor did he run to feed his tribe, for the survival of his nearest kin. This time he ran for the survival of all the People.
In the sack strapped across his back, along with the dried, smoked salmon trail rations and his spare leather moccasines, he carried many a precious item. Knives and sickles of iron lay next to small pouches filled with grain seeds, padded with dried white moss to keep the wet out. These were seeds of wheat and rye, new grains brought by the people in the big ships from faraway lands. These tools and seeds, as well as the ornate golden wristbands and necklaces, he would present as gifts to the elders and sachem of the mighty Ojibwe tribe, so that they would hear his words, and see the truth in them. For even though the gifts were valuable in themselves, they were pale and bland in comparison to the message he carried. A message of hope, of strength and unity, of survival.
He had rehearsed his message many times over during his days of running. He knew it wasn't necessary, his memory would not fail him for many years to come, yet it was something to do while running.
"Mighty Ojibwe, hear the words of the Algonquian Council!" he would begin, and then tell them about the strangers. Peqas had seen the terrifying strength of the Nortuguese army as they marched through the lands where the Mohican lived, had spoken to the fleeing Mohicans who had come seeking refuge with the Confederation, heard their stories about the merciless slaughter inflicted on any who would oppose them. This he would tell the Ojibwe, and he knew they would listen. Yet Ojibwe were a mighty people, proud of their strength, and would not likely be scared by the threat of an unknown people come to claim the land. The Ojibwe would think they were stronger, more capable, more than a match for any invaders. And yet they would be wrong, but they would find out the hard way, too late, if they could not be swayed.
Thus Peqas most important message was that of the Gayanashagowa, the Great Law of Peace. The strangers had not only brought destruction and suffering, but also knowledge, and with it the promises of a bright future. This future would come to the Algonquian people through the Confederation, a union of tribes setting aside their differences and working together for the
good of all. The tools and gifts in Peqas sack would lend weight to his words.
The Nortuguese were not interested in dealing with barbaric tribes, yet in the Confederation they saw the spark of a bright future, and the possibility to achieve a peace in these lands, a security that would benefit their own settlers as much as it would the Algonquians themselves.
Through the Gayanashagowa, the Ojibwe would not give up their independence. They would be ruling themselves in all matters, with a few important restrictions. And they would be given much in return. Peqas again recited the Gayanashagowa in his head, though the words already burned in his heart.
We are one People.
All man and women of the People are one blood, one flesh, one mighty tribe.
The Council is our eyes, our ears and our voice, who will guide our arms and mind.
Gayanawidah is our father, our guiding light.
Every tribe is unique, yet we are more alike than different.
Together we will stand, progress and persevere where divided we would fall.
All men and women of the People are one blood, brothers and sisters.
We are one People.