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Innu - Why Matshishkapeu
Matshishkapeu ,is more Powerful than the Caribou Master Once, long ago, the Master of the Caribou was stingy and would not give caribou to the Innu who started to starve as a result. Through the medium of the shaking tent, the Innu asked Matshishkapeu to assist them. The latter then went to the Caribou Master and asked him to give caribou to the Innu. The Caribou Master refused. Matshishkapeu then told him that if he did not give caribou to the Innu, he would cause some bodily affliction to befall him. Still the Caribou Master would not give caribou to the Innu. So Matshiskapeu made him constipated; so much so, in fact that he was in danger of dying. He couldn't relieve himself. Finally, he acceded to the Matshishkapeu's request to provide caribou to the Innu, and as a result, was relieved of his constipation. This explains why the Matshishkapeu is the most powerful of all Innu spirits, even more powerful than the Caribou Master.
(As told by Greg Penashue, Sheshatshiu, 1987).
From the Archives of Blue Panther
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