ABSTRACT
Treaty with the Hoof Nation In The Gift is in the Making, Anishinaabe theorist and storyteller Leanne Simpson retells the story of the Treaty with the Hoof Nation. As she reminds us, the Anishinaabe had taken their relationships with the Hoof Nation for granted. They had neglected their responsibilities and obligations to these relatives. They had failed to act respectfully. After some time, the Hoof Nation decided to leave the territory. As one season transitioned into another, the Anishinaabe began to realize they had not seen their Hoofed relatives for nearly a year. They began to worry and with the passing of some time, decided they should send out their fastest and strongest runners to find the cause for this absence. They soon learned that the Hoof Nation had left their territory because the Anishinaabe had been disrespectful. They felt the Anishinaabe no longer honored their relationship with the Hoof Nation. Determined to restore this relationship, the Anishinaabe petitioned the Hoof Nation to meet in council. Simpson notes:
After some negotiation, the people learned that the Hoof Clan had left their territory because the Nishnaabeg were no longer honoring them. They had been wasting their meat and not treating their bodies with the proper reverence. The Hoof Clan had withdrawn from the territory and their relationship with the Nishnaabeg. They had stopped participating.
