It was coming on deeper into winter, and on the Rez there were some brothers and sisters asked their Chief, if he thought the winter was going to be real cold or mild this year.
Since the Chief's medicine chief was not handy (to pass the buck to) to handle the question for him... looked up into the sky and his most stoic Chiefly look of wisdom...stared for a moment as if asking the Ancestors for advice. Then with the same look, he turned back and spoke to his people these words...
"Yes, it will be a very cold winter! go send out the word among all the people (that doesn't have gas or oil heat) to go and collect wood for the people, so all would be prepared."
Also (being a practical leader of his people), he went quickly to his house and called the National Weather Service...(Covering the back-side of his blanket) so to speak...
He asked "Is the winter going to be really cold this year?" "It looks like the weather indeed will be rather cold Sir!" the weatherman replied.
So the Chief went back among the people and told them to collect even more wood, to be ready for even worse cold than before. A week later, the Chief called the National Weather Service again, "Is it going to be a very harsh and cold winter this year?" "YES! without a doubt Sir! replied the serviceman. The Chief went once again among his people, and told them to gather every scrap of wood they could find!
Two more weeks went by, and the Chief called one last time to ask the Meteorologist at the National Weather Service about the winter weather..... "Are you absolutely sure that this winter is going to be the worst ever?" "Absolutely!, the weatherman replied, without a shadow of doubt!" "How can you be so sure?" the Chief asked...
The highly Tech. trained meteorologist, in a highly Tech. (modern day world) answered professionally.... "Because the Indians up on the Reservation, are collecting wood like crazy!"
