American Black Bear

For the Myaamia-an Indigenous group of this region-the black bear plays a significant role in their culture, including as a marker of time. Two out of thirteen months of Myaamia Kilhswaakani, the Myaamia lunar calendar, are named for it.

“Mahkwa kithswa” (black bear moon) is associated with the annual timing of the birth of cubs and “mahkoonsa kilhswa” (young black bear moon) with young cubs emerging from their dens.