Unga-Chuk

Unga-Chuck of the Nsswe Neppe, is a mythological character from the Meskwaki-Sauk [http://www.native-languages.org/meskwaki-sauk.htm] tribal folklore. The tale comes from the Fox and Sac tribes in what is now present day central Iowa. The Sauk (or Sac) tribe and the Meskwaki (or Fox) tribe. The Meskwaki and Sauk Indians were related to each other and spoke the same language, but they were politically independent. However, the Fox tribe was nearly destroyed in a war with the French, and the surviving Fox Indians fled to the Sauk villages for protection. The two tribes merged into a single tribe called the Sac and Fox. Most Sac and Fox people still live together today. The version below was collected by John Tobin in his book With No Intention (2)

The Story of Unga Chuck

Unga-Chuck's story takes place on Nesswe Neppe (known as the Cedar River in Iowa). Unga Chuck lived in a clearing by the banks of the Nesswe Neppea (also known as the Cedar river). the exact setting is referred to as the meeting of The Three Waters. He was the grandson of Chief Poweshiek and the son of Magor. He was considered the pride of the village. Life goes well for him until Magor his father does not return from a hunt. Unga Chuck then goes on to live with his grandfather and learns to become a great leader in his village.

The village lived very peaceful and happy lives with Unga Chuck marrying his sweetheart Lees-wa Later Unga-Chuck one day sees visions that upsets him. The first being three trees silhouetted like people on the horizon. The two trees were to one side of a tree that stood alone. Then Unga-Chuck saw three suns setting (possibly explained today as sundogs). The visions were strange and troubling to the tribe. However since good fortune followed the signs were soon forgotten.

A few years later an evil man in the village named Napatog started to hate Unga-Chuck becoming jealous of his skills and the fact that Unga_Chuck would be the next chief of the village. Napatog plans to murder Unga-Chuck, then he would become the next chief.Napatog waits until Unga-Chuck takes a morning walk in the foggy valley to carry out his plan of murder. He shots and kills Unga-Chuk with an arrow. The day turns bright and sunny except where the body of Unga-Chuck lies. the villagers soon began to worry about this mystery fog. The village soon discovers what has happened and rise up to drive Napatog away. The village is rewarded with a beautiful sunset that lets them know that Unga-Chuck has made it safely to his final resting place. Unga-Chuck's death brings peace to the village and he removes all evils from the tribes.The story finishes with a red rose growing in Nesswe Neppe as proof that the blood spilled by Unga-Chuck nourished and made the ground of this land fertile and good.

It is said that on the anniversary of Unga-Chuck's death when the fog is lifting from the valley he can be heard still calling for his beloved Lees-Wa.

References

1. http://www.native-languages.org/meskwaki-sauk.htm

2. With No Intention Tobin W John Laurance Press Company Cedar Rapids 1979