Ta-Na-E-Ka (Story)
Ta-Na-E-Ka (Story)
By Mary WHITEBIRD
The main character, Mary, and her cousin Roger live on the northernmost part of the Missouri River in 1947 on a Kaw Reservation.
Grandfather expected Mary and Roger to survive on their own in the wilderness for five days. Mary and Roger reluctantly went along with the idea of their relatives about this custom.
When the test was almost approaching, Mary got up a plan, she borrowed five dollars from her teacher to use during her Ta-Na-E-Ka.
Mary found the place in a restaurant and changed her mind about the importance of her culture when the restaurant’s owner criticised the idea of Ta-Na-E-Ka. Mary returned home to face her grandfather and convinced him that there is more than one way to show your ability to endure.