Will Peters of the Bois Forte Nation reflects on the sacred responsibility Indigenous people hold as protectors of all beings—the two-legged, the four-legged, the winged, the swimmers, the crawlers, and the standing ones. In this conversation, Peters speaks with urgency about how colonization and commercialization have distanced communities from ceremony, love, and balance with the natural world. He calls for a return to cultural practices—honoring the bears, the trees, the waters, and the songs that once connected people to spirit. Through his words, he reminds listeners that renewal begins with love, strong voices, and the teachings carried by children and families who remember how to care for creation.

This story was collected as part of the Waterers Oral Histories Program.

Deanna Drift from Nett Lake Village shares a lighthearted story about a mischievous young bear that frequently visited her home, earning the nickname “mangy butt.” Through humor and observation, she reminds us that bears are curious yet gentle beings, often more afraid of humans than we are of them. This story was collected as part of the Waterers Oral Histories Program.

Serena Logan, a youth from Nett Lake Village, shares her joy in watching bears with her great-grandmother Mavis and caring for them by leaving food along the road. Her story reflects the love, respect, and connection between generations and the bears that live nearby. This story was collected as part of the Waterers Oral Histories Program.