About eight years ago, I found my great, great, great grandfather when my cousin Tejuana Cochneur traveled the United States researching our ancestors and she brought back Eskunolubee. I wrote the following story based on his life.
Long before Eskunolubee, a medicine man, went away to spirit land, he had predicted a time when his children would be forced to leave their homeland.
Years later, his prediction came true. Eskunolubee's descendants left their land and traveled, weary and despondent through foreign land.
Finally, they carefully crossed the blue waters of the Mountain Fork River. They stood in awe of the beauty of this new land. Each family hurriedly built a fire to warm before the sun went to the other side.
The long journey had ended but they were sad for leaving their homes in Mississippi. Sorrow filled their hearts for those who were left behind without a descent burial in unmarked graves somewhere along the trail. But the children of Eskunolubee didn't look back very long in this new land of Okla Homma "Red People."
The Choctaw people gathered in prayer for having survived the difficult journey. They gathered for their worship service led by an elder of the group. As the sun was sinking fast behind the mountains, they blended their voices in harmony above the sounds of the roaring river.
When darkness came, the owl people looked down wondering, "Whoo, Whoo, are these people?" They scolded the people for bringing fire into the forest.
Maestro Cricket lifted his baton and his orchestra of insects accompanied the Choctaw people with their fine music. Following many songs, the elder dismissed them in prayer, but not a single person moved. They sat quietly in their own thoughts.
Out of respect to the people, the maestro hushed his orchestra.
A lone white wolf, a protector and healer to those who believe, sat atop a distant ridge and howled long and mournfully.
A mysterious fog emerged in the darkness of the night from between the tall pines and came upon the people like a soothing salve. The healing had begun. Their sadness and apprehension slowly left their wounded spirits and replaced with a peace that passed understanding.
My father Dixon was a descendant of Eskunolubee and was born near the Mountain Fork River near Eagletown.
I am the great, great, great granddaughter of Eskunolubee.
I am of the Wolf Clan.
