Golden Secrets

Masagawa was the closest kin Nina had, not counting her two brothers. Her father died working as a scout for the Portolá expedition. It was up to Nina to  care for her grandma, Masagawa, as she got older. This responsibility numbered her days with Alicia. Nina shared stories, all of them new to Alicia.

“Mama die when I come.” Nina twisted a long strand of grass in her hands, biting off one end. “She leave Nina brothers.” She picked up two loose stones and tossed them against a tree trunk. “Grandma take me. Masagawa carry me and feed me sweet berries and honey. When I grow and stand, she give sage bundle and songs.” When Nina spoke of her grandmother, she smiled. She bent to pick up the tiniest frog and place it in the stream.

“Later, I learn her magic, special chants. I thought Masagawa my mama; brothers tell me no, when I make five years.” Alicia wanted to reach out and touch her, but she just listened to her talk.

“We fight many times. Brothers blamed me when Mama die. They tell me she left me to work for them.” Alicia thought it was a horrid thing for Nina’s brothers to do. She was glad she had no brothers.

“At six years, White men take us to the Mission school. Grandma try to stop them. She tell me no forget sage songs. She say someday I sing for people.” Nina waved her hand over her head pretending to hold the sage.

“Many children in school, talk other words. Padres say, you all talk Spanish.” Alicia realized she never tried to learn any words in Nina’s language.

“After Spanish words, I make broom from branch and pine needles. Like broom at Mama’s altar.” Alicia pictured the broom.

“We do laundry for the padres. Wash like Masagawa, clothes in the stream and rubbed with rock and jute root. Later, they send me to you, Alicia, and family.”

Alicia did not make a response. Did this happen to all Native children? Mama taught her that the Mission made Native lives better and rescued them from their heathen ways. She said the family gave Nina a civilized life.