Wyakin

Wyakins are personal spiritual guardians that protect one from harm and offer a link to the spirit world. They only appeared once a young (just starting puberty) nimíipuu embarked on a vision quest to an isolated spot in the mountains. There, they'd receive a vision from the spirit, which would take the form of an animal (which was in either their dreams, or appearing physically).
Afterwards, a wyakin would grant powers associated with what animal they appeared as (like blessing someone to be as alert as a bird, for example), and would stay with a person their whole life; serving as a guardian who'd protect them from harm and provide counsel/advice.