Stories From the Seventh Fire - The Four Seasons
In these beautifully animated legends, many life and environmental lessons are given. The beauty, bounty, and vulnerability of Mother Earth through the seasons shines in these gentle, fun, and at times mischievous Native legends.
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Stories from the Seventh Fire
The Four Seasons - Traditional Legends for Each Season
DOUBLE DVD SET or DIGITAL MP4 PACK AVAILABLE.
Animated legends from Canada’s First Nations based on the art by Norval Morriseau and the live-action footage of wildlife filmographer, Albert Karvonen. This award-winning series outlines Native legends set in 4 seasons depicted in varied animated styles. Produced in English and Cree, the series uses 2-D and 3-D animation and the voices of some of Canada’s best-loved Native performers like Tantoo Cardinal and Gordon Tootoosis.
WINTER
Tales of Wesakechak: Why the Rabbit Turns White - Weshakechak neglects his responsibilities and is punished by the Creator. Without his powers, Wesakechak must embark on a journey to set things straight. Every creature is a part of nature's harmony. Wesakechak has become lazy and has not fulfilled his duties of making sure his people respect the land and the animals.
Wolf Tale: Legend of the Spirit Bear - Mother Wolf tells of a time of eternal winter when all creatures were starving. Looking after our environment will ensure the safe keeping for all.
SPRING
Tales of Wesakechak: The First Spring Flood - A story about the power of friendship and co-operation. In the time before there were people on Turtle Island (North America), the Creator put the shape-shifter Wesakechak on the earth to take care of all the creatures. This makes Machias, a bad spirit, very envious and angry. The power of friendship and co-operation is the theme in this spring story. Wesakechak must overcome the envy and anger of the bad spirit, Machias, who intends to drown him in the First Spring Flood. His friends Jackfish, Goose and Beaver cooperate to save him from the jealous bully.
Wolf Tale: Legend of the Giant Beaver- Mother Wolf tells her cubs a story about a giant beaver who learned to adapt and create wetlands in a time when the great plains were covered by water. (Inspired by a story from the Peace River Dene).
SUMMER
Tales of Wesakechak: How Wesakechak Got His Name - Wesakechak hates his name and convinces the Creator to give everyone new names hoping he can receive a better name than the one he already has. An excellent lesson in humility and working for stature! Wesakechak feels he deserves a more powerful name. He convinces his fellow creatures to ask the Creator to give out new names.
Wolf Tale: Legend of the Caribou - Mother Wolf tells her cubs a bedtime story about the truth of power and size. The cubs learn about animals and the world to the North in the Barrens, about how too many living in one place can destroy the land. (Inspired by the annual migration of the Porcupine Caribou herds).
AUTUM
Tales of Wesakechak: Wesakechak and The Medicine - This is a cautionary tale about respecting the power of medicine. Abusing medicine can be very dangerous!
Wolf Tale: Legend of the First Thanksgiving - Mother Wolf tells her cubs a bedtime story about how the first Thanksgiving was created. (Inspired by a story from the Salish of the Pacific Coast).
Credits:
Director : Greg Coyes
Screenplay: Gerri Cook, G. Coyes
Edit: Andrew Manske
Music: Michael Becker
Sound: Downy Karvonen
Producer: Storytellers Production Inc.
1999
100 mins on two DVDs in one case
or
Digital MP4 pack has 8 MP4s and their associated caption files