Margaret benner

Waterer & Elder Storyteller

Making awareness starting from people that that can speak for the bears because the bears can't stand up for themselves. I know every time I see a bear, if I'm driving up and down or whatever the road. I roll down my window and I talk Ojibwe because they understand that. I tell them hello and they just look at me and then, like, keep going, you know?

Margaret Benner of Nett Lake Village reflects on the sacred relationship between her community and the bears that share their land. As a Bear Clan member, she speaks about standing up to protect them, honoring the deep spiritual connection that defines her identity and responsibility. This story was collected as part of the Waterers Oral Histories Program.