William Whirlwind
Many years ago I met this Native-American to interview and to draw—William Whirlwind was a kind, intelligent and talented elder, yet also an eccentric, known for cutting all the trees around his cottage. I asked him why he did so, to which he answered « to see the top of the hill. »
I enquired whether he liked the white man. In reply, he pulled out his dentures and said, « white man’s teeth. » Pointing to his stove he mumbled, « white man’s stove. » Then, with a squint of the eye, « Sure, I like the white man! »
Right there he took up a pencil and in single line drew a rodeo horse. And I drew him. Then he escorted me outside and performed a tightrope act on a rope tied between two stumps. He was in his 90s.
I enquired whether he liked the white man. In reply, he pulled out his dentures and said, « white man’s teeth. » Pointing to his stove he mumbled, « white man’s stove. » Then, with a squint of the eye, « Sure, I like the white man! »
Right there he took up a pencil and in single line drew a rodeo horse. And I drew him. Then he escorted me outside and performed a tightrope act on a rope tied between two stumps. He was in his 90s.
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