Little Water and the Gift of the Animals: A Seneca Legend

Andrew Vaisius is a Winnipeg daycare director.

Little Water and the Gift of the Animals relates the first communion of
the Native people with the animal kingdom for the purpose of healing.

Little Water is a friend to the animals, and when his people fall ill
at harvest, he is called upon to ask the animals for help. On the way,
in a storm, he falls and knocks himself senseless. In an unconscious
vision Little Water sees the gifts each animal—deer, bear, hawk,
turtle, otter, and wolf—will provide to save his people. He recovers
and brings the message back to his people, who likewise recover, thus
completing a bond never to be broken.

C.J. Taylor’s paintings are brightly lit and richly colored. Their
subject matter is often densely squeezed into the square size, yet it
retains a sense of releasing energy. In short, the subjects aren’t
mere poses, but an apt ensnarement of action.