The Sacred Hoop: Recovering the Feminine in American Indian Traditions

had brought and cautioned her not to throw away any of the
husks out of the door. Upon leaving he said to her, “you
must meet me at this place tomorrow. I will bring more
corn for you.”
Ko-chin-ne-nako had not proceeded far on her homeward
way ere she met her sisters who, having become uneasy
because of her long absence, had come in search of her.
They were greatly surprised at seeing her with an armful of
corn instead of cactus. Ko-chin-ne-nako told them the
whole story of how she had obtained it, and thereby only
added wonderment to their surprise. They helped her to
carry the corn home; and there she again had to tell her
story to her father and mother.
When she had described the stranger even from his
peaked hat to his butterfly moccasins, and had told them that
she was to meet him again on the day following, Hut-chamun
Ki-uk, the father, exclaimed:
“It is Mi-o-chin!”
“It is Mi-o-chin! It is Mi-o-chin!,” echoed the mother.
“Tomorrow you must bring him home with you.”
The next day Ko-chin-ne-nako went again to the spot
where she had met Mi-o-chin, for it was indeed Mi-o-chin,
the Spirit of Summer. He was already there, awaiting her
coming. With him he had brought a huge bundle of corn.
Ko-chin-ne-nako pressed upon him the invitation of her
parents to accompany her home, so together they carried the
corn to Kush-kut-ret. When it had been distributed there
was sufficient to feed all the people of the city. Amid great
rejoicing and thanksgiving, Mi-o-chin was welcomed at the
Hotchin’s (ruler’s) house.
In the evening, as was his custom, Sh-ah-cock, the Spirit
of the Winter, returned to his home. He came in a blinding
storm of snow and hail and sleet, for he was in a boisterous