8. ~ Beaver ~

The beaver is a builder! It is the largest rodent on Turtle Island (North America). It has webbed feet. A beaver has extra large lungs which enable it to swim under water for fifteen to twenty minutes at a time. They construct amazing beaver lodges with multiple entrances and exits. They have very large incisor teeth and have a long flat tail. An interesting fact is, if a beaver loses one of its teeth its death is almost eminent. Beavers work as team players, while one beaver works and chews the other will be on protective watch. The beaver has been valued by many for its fur. He has an odd oval shaped tail resembling a paddle. The beaver is very aquatic. They rarely roam very far from their lake, river, or pond home. Their lodges are much like Native Indian peoples lodges, as they are very family oriented. When the depth of water is not sufficient, beavers build dams across the stream and along the side of their home. These dams can be three hundred yards in length. Beavers will sit on their hind feet and tail while eating, holding food in their fore-paws. They can also walk temporarily in this upright position. Their tail is used for plastering their lodges, for balance and for swimming. It is also slapped on the surface of the water several times consecutively to alert their other family members of danger. The beaver is a Canadian emblem.

Medicine:

Beaver medicine teaches it is time to strongly connect and communicate with our own family. It is time to build our dreams and not just think and talk about them. Beaver medicine teaches to chew away at obstacles and find a way around or through them. American Indians call beaver the "sacred centre" of the land, reminding each of us to do our part as a member of the Great Spirit's family by taking good care of our Earth Mother.