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Show the bluff area at the edge of the John Starr Flat ( 3.1; 4.2; Chapoose Oral History, American Western Center, 1960 No. 5). They are also found at various spots along the west banks of the Whiterocks River, both in the Canyon and below ( 4.1), and there are locations in the hills off the Whiterocks River along Paradise Creek that they frequent ( 3.1). Rock Creek and the southern Hill Creek extension are also areas connected with Little People ( 3.1; 4.1). E. 3.2 Water Spirits There are a number of different kinds of spirits associated with water in the cosmology of the Utes and other Numic- speaking peoples in the Great Basin ( Hultkranz 1986: 633, 640; Liljeblad 1986: 653). Waterbabies are probably the most distinct and well known of the water spirits ( Hultkranz 1986: 633; Liljeblad 1986: 653). Water babies, called " pa'a pat" ( 4.1), have long hair, a distinctive baby- like cry and inhabit the still water areas of certain lakes and rivers. These areas are dangerous because they are the spots where water babies can pull someone under the water. In earlier times, mothers were cautioned to keep their babies away from the water or they would be sucked in ( 4.1; Stewart 1942: 318; Smith 1974a: 166- 7; Chapoose Oral History, American West Center, 1960 No. 4). Although Smith ( 1974a: 166- 7) reported that waterbabies were known to be located in various lakes in the Uintas and along various rivers in the region, consultants did not mention any specific locales for their presence. Water serpents are another kind of water spirit. These are deserving of extra special respect because they have the power to bring rainstorms and floods ( Hultkranz 1986: 633, 640). The most well- known, even by non- Indians who live in the region, is the serpent associated with Moon Lake, but there are other areas including Rock Creek and Spirit Lake ( 4.1) that have stories of these serpents ( 1.3; 4.1). In fact, there are stone cairns which act as balancers at some of the high mountain lakes. It is believed that the disturbance or removal of any of the rocks forming the cairn will imbalance the area and affect changes in the weather ( 4.1). In the past, and possibly even today, these may have important connections with the water serpents believed to bring storms and flooding. Finally, there are water spirits associated with springs. Big Springs, for one, is known to have a spiritual presence which in one story is reported to have an angel- like appearance ( 2.1). This is a spiritual place where people need to conduct themselves in a respectful way and to make offerings ( 1.2; 3.1; 4.2). It is also, as mentioned before, the source of the sacred water for the Sun Dance. This place should not be disturbed ( 1.2; 110 |
