This story is dedicated to my family, my teachers, and the Cree people who continue to share their traditions.
May we always respect the land, the spirits, and our hearts.

My name is Morning Star. I am a 14-year-old boy from the Cree Nation, living near Lake Athabasca in northern Saskatchewan, Canada.
My parents are Strong Oak and Gentle River. They told me that the time has come for my first vision quest, a sacred journey to discover my purpose and connect with the spirit world.

Our elders say that the Athabasca Sand Dunes are a powerful place where the spirits speak through the wind and the earth. I will walk there alone, without food or water, to seek my vision.

Before leaving, I entered the sweat lodge with my father and Elder White Willow.
Hot stones glowed as water hit them, filling the lodge with steam. I prayed quietly, letting the heat cleanse my body and spirit.
When I stepped outside, the cool air felt new. I was ready to begin.

I started my walk at sunrise. The sky was orange and pink, and the wind carried the smell of pine.
I had no food, no tent—only courage. My feet pressed against the dirt path as I followed the river north.
Each step brought me closer to my destiny.

The first day was hard. My stomach hurt, and I felt weak. I prayed to the spirits for strength.
At night, I lay beneath the stars and listened to the sounds of the forest—the owls, the wind, and my own heartbeat.
I began to feel a deep peace inside me.

By the third day, I reached the Athabasca Sand Dunes.
Golden waves of sand stretched far and wide. I sat down, tired and hungry, and closed my eyes.
The wind sang softly. I waited for my vision to come.