The Chasse-Gallerie: An Aboriginal Legend of Respect for Nature
In the deep forests, lit by the moonlight and inhabited by ancient spirits, a legend comes to life: the legend of the Flying Canoe. This ancestral tale, passed down from generation to generation, tells the story of travelers eager to reach their loved ones, despite the distance and the mysteries of the night.
The Flying Canoe: An Indigenous Tale of Respect and Mystery
Once upon a time, deep in the forests of Nitassinan, a group of Indigenous hunters and fishermen, isolated for moons, longed to see their families again. But the vast, sacred forest was watched over by nature spirits, protectors of the land and guardians of a mysterious balance. To return home, the travelers turned to the spirits, asking them to help them fly over the forest in a magical canoe.
The spirits, benevolent yet stern, agreed to grant their help. However, they imposed strict rules: the men must respect the silence of the forest and not disturb any tree or sacred branch. If they touched the treetops or uttered sacred words, they would break the harmony and risk losing the spirits' protection.
Guided by hope, the men climbed into the canoe, which rose into the air. The world was silent, bathed in the silvery light of the moon. The travelers sensed the presence of spirits around them, invisible yet watching their every move. They glided between the trees, flew over the rivers, carried by a force that seemed to pulse to the rhythm of the forest.
But in the midst of this sacred journey, one of the travelers, carried away by enthusiasm and nostalgia, uttered a sacred word to express his joy. In an instant, the wind changed, the forest seemed to stir, and the spirits withdrew, leaving the canoe at the mercy of the elements. The canoe lurched, and the men looked at each other in dread, aware that they had broken the pact.
Some of them never returned home. It is said that their souls still wander the forest, prisoners of the spirit world, keeping watch alongside the spirits of nature. Since then, the legend of the Flying Canoe reminds each generation of the importance of respect and humility toward the invisible forces of nature. For the forest, though welcoming, demands that its sacred laws be honored, and those who forget them risk being lost forever.
An oral tradition that endures
The legend of the Flying Canoe, in its Indigenous version, is shared at festivals like the Atalukan Festival in Mashteuiatsh, where the oral tradition is passed down through generations. This festival allows people to rediscover these sacred stories, thus preserving the spiritual values and wisdom of the First Nations.
Sources and references :
• National Film Board of Canada, “Indigenous Tales and Legends”
• Indigenous Tourism Quebec, Atalukan Storytelling and Legends Festival
• BAnQ, Bibliothèque et Archives nationales du Québec, on Indigenous narratives
Creations inspired by the spirit of legends
Each piece is handcrafted on the Nitassinan by the Ilnu craftsman Dave Verreault-Thisselmagan.
Indigenous dreamcatchers
Protection • Dreams • Guidance
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Talking sticks
Wisdom • Respect • Transmission
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