Once upon a time in Mi’kmaki, the land of the Mi’kmaq, Glooscap called all his “Wi’sisml”, all of his animal friends, together because he had a big announcement to make. He was looking for a New Canoe for himself and thought I’ll make it an open challenge. He declared that a contest was to be held, a contest to design his personal canoe. Glooscap said that this contest was to be open to anyone who wanted to create a design, any animal, any size, any age.

Everyone was excited about this contest, and they thought it would be a great honor to have their design to be chosen, by Glooscap, as the winner. So, all the animals of Mi’kma’ki got busy.

Kwimu, The Loon, said that he would be the winner, because he thought he was the most graceful bird in the water. Loon said, … “Who knows more about floating on the water than me! “

Plawej, The Partridge thought, “Loon is right! What do I know about the water, I’m no fish, or waterfowl for that matter? Look at my feet! they are not made for swimming, like the Ducks and the Geese, “then he thought a little more. “It would be nice to win though, and I can’t win if I don’t try! “So, Partridge set out to design the perfect canoe.

The Partridge looked at his own body for inspiration. “My chest is made of bones and my rib cage is even shaped like the frame and ribs of a canoe, so I’ll try that! “And I’m going to put in a High piece in the Front and back, and I’m going to put a high piece right in the middle. That way it looks like the pattern of waves. I think that will help it float better on the rough waves of water too!

Mikjikj, the Turtle, said that’s a great idea I’ll look to my body to create my design, if I take my shell off and flip it over, it looks like a boat! … Glooscap could float in that!

Meanwhile, Loon was busy collecting material to make his canoe. Loon figured that he had the best body shape for the water, so he based his design on his own body type. The Loon ‘s design was very shallow and sat very low in the water, just as the Loon does. Loon looked to the Partridge and said, what do you know about swimming in the water. You’re a land bird that can’t even swim!” Loon continued to tease Partridge hopefully to discourage him enough to pull out of the Contest. Loon was thinking that Partridge had some good ideas and was worrying about losing to Partridge. Loon was thinking, if Partridge beats me in this competition, I’ll lose all my pride, I know all the other Animals will make fun of me.

Loon continued to tease Partridge, but Partridge didn’t pay him no mind, he just went on with his work. Partridge took a little break, and he went over to Turtle to see how he was making out. Turtle was just sitting there very disappointed. Turtle said Loon is right, everyone I speak to thinks he is going to win because he is very graceful in the water. And his design looks very impressive, very sleek, and smooth in the water, just as he is. Turtle said, “I’m out, I can’t compete with that!”, … Turtle dropped his head down, and looked up at Partridge, and added, … “I took my shell off and I was getting pretty cold!”, … Partridge smiled!

As time went on, everyone’s canoes were ready, the day of the competition finally arrived, and the shoreline was loaded with all kinds of different designs. Since Turtle backed out of the competition Glooscap asked him if he would help with the judging. Turtle accepted by asking “what do I have to do? Glooscap said “if I’m going to use the canoe it must carry my belongings, turtle I’d like you to load the canoes. Turtle agreed. There were long ones, there were short ones, there was square ones and there were round ones, some of them didn’t look like boats at all. Some floated, some sank, some just flipped, and some rolled over in the water. Glooscap thought “this isn’t looking good!” It came down to the last two designs the Partridge and the Loon, both looked very promising and Glooscap asked Turtle to load up Loon’s Canoe. Loon’s canoe looked very fast, it was narrow from side to side, very long and it sat very low to the water. 

Turtle loaded it up, it looked good, good till Glooscap tried to get in. The weight of Glooscap along with the weight of his gear was too much. The rim of the canoe dipped below the water line and the canoe started to take in water. Loon’s canoe sunk! the last canoe that Glooscap had to test was the canoe designed by Partridge. His canoe was long and wide, very high in the front and back and there was a high spot on both sides, in the middle. This was a unique design that Glooscap said, “I’ve never seen this design before, anywhere!” Turtle loaded the Canoe, and it didn’t drop an inch. It was very sturdy and strong. Glooscap grabbed his Paddle and got inside. He sat down and rocked it back and forth from side to side. It was very comfortable, and it glided through the water very nice and smooth. Glooscap said, I like this design best of all. So, Turtle and Glooscap gave the winning design to Partridge. Loon was very upset to lose the contest and Partridge just walked into the woods very proud of his win.

Today they say That’s why the Loon has such a mournful cry, and why the loon’s eyes are red in colour, from all that crying because he lost the contest. And today when you go into the woods you can still hear Partridge beating his chest in pride, just like a drummer.