Moose Factory author brings to life the story of Oojakaduck or Fisher constellation | 24CA News
On nearly each clear night time within the Northern Hemisphere, when you lookup on the sky you are prone to spot the cluster of vibrant stars that kind the Big Dipper constellation.
For Cree folks, the constellation is called Oojakaduck, or the Fisher Constellation. The fisher, on this case, refers back to the animal, which falls throughout the weasel household.
The constellation has at all times sparked the creativeness of Norm Wesley of Moose Factory, and it is led him to put in writing a kids’s e-book about it known as, Oojakaduck: Corey Finds His Way Home.
“I came across some 30 years ago, a story about the origin of what we know as the Big Dipper,” Wesley mentioned.
I wrote that story 30 years in the past and my intent was to get it printed and it has been sitting there for all these years till August.— Norm Wesley, creator
“And as time went on … I had this idea of writing this story about a young boy and his grandfather going goose hunting and as they’re waiting for the tide he’s told about the origin of the Big Dipper. Oojakaduck, it’s called.”
Wesley mentioned he named the e-book’s protagonist after his grandson, “He was three years old at the time. He’s now 32.”
The e-book follows the Cree legend of Oojakaduck.
“It’s a story about these animals living along the river and the muskrat … goes down to fetch water in the morning and he finds that the water is gone from the river. The long and short of this, is that the fish have stolen the water for themselves.
“So they determine to ship out the fisher to go and seek for the fish, to get the water again,” Wesley said.
‘An actual accomplishment’
Wesley mentioned he was about 35 years outdated when he first heard the story of Oojakaduck. At the time, he mentioned, he was researching his roots and historical past.
The e-book is geared for youngsters in Grades 6 and seven. He mentioned the e-book is years within the making.
“I wrote that story 30 years ago and my intent was to get it published and it’s been sitting there for all these years until August,” he mentioned.
Wesley mentioned he noticed an commercial on Facebook, posted by Freedom Press, which mentioned it was trying to assist aspiring authors publish.
“I think it’s a real accomplishment,” he mentioned. “I feel good about it.”
“I also feel good … that now other young people will be able to hear the story,” Wesley mentioned. “Whoever reads it will be able to begin to learn about our heritage, our mythology, our sacred stories.”
