BiographyHi. My name is Holly Beyer. I am a member of the Menominee Indian Tribe of Wisconsin. I am also a student at the College of Menominee Nation pursuing a Bachelor of Science degree in Elementary Education. I live in Shawano, Wisconsin. I am married and have one son. I love bears and have enjoyed putting this book together for you. I hope you enjoy reading it!

Teacher pagesThe bear is one of the five principle clan members of the tribe and is a sacred animal in the tribe. Bears are plentiful on the Menominee reservation.

The mythology of the Menominee people relates that the Great Light-Colored Bear emerged from the underground world at the mouth of the Village River where it meets Green Bay. As he journeyed up the river, he changed into a man. He called to the Golden Eagle, who descended to join him. The eagle also changed into a man and became the brother of the bear.

As the two traveled up the Menominee River, they were joined by other creatures including the Beaver Woman, Wolf, Crane and Moose, who all became human and were adopted as brothers. As the brothers traveled their separate ways, they each adopted other creatures as younger brothers and all together became the first Menominee people.Each clan had specific obligations within the culture. The Great Light-Colored Bear was speaker for the people and the Golden Eagle took on the obligations of community security and was the fire carrier.The wolf was the hunter, the Crane was the builder and the Moose had the obligation of overseeing the wild rice beds, supervising the harvest and distributing the rice.

Menominee wordsAwaehsaeh (a-wa-se) – BearApesen (a-pay-sin) – It is blackPiakemen (pea-uk-amin) – cranberryApesenetuaq anohkan (a-pay-sina-tuok ano-kun) – blackberry Facts about bearsBlack bears can grow to be 7 feet long and weigh between 150 and 500 pounds. Bears can run up to 30 miles per hour.

Bears are omnivorous, which means they eat both vegetation and meat. They prefer vegetation (like berries, roots and grass) but will eat meat just before hibernation to build their fat supply. Bears stand on their back legs to see, smell and hear. People mistakenly think they are in attack mode when they see bears doing this.

Bears on the Menominee reservation are noted as plentiful by the Wisconsin Department of Natural Resources. Sight words in storyin the up to

are can onall

Bear Finger Play

(bend fingers on one hand)Inside is a bear.

(put thumb inside fingers)Now he comes out.

To get some fresh air.(Pop out thumb)

He stays out all summerIn sunshine and heat.He hunts in the forest

For berries to eat.(move thumb in a circle)

When snow starts to fall.He hurries inside

His warm little caveAnd there he will hide.(put thumb inside fingers)Snow covers the caveLike a fluffy white rug.Inside the bear sleeps

All cozy and snug.(place one hand over the other)

Author UnkownKinderthemes.com