The fisherman and the killer-whales

A fisherman and his wife catch an unfamiliar fish, which they prepare and dry. When the wife washes her hands in the sea, Killer-Whales seize her in revenge. The fisherman seeks help from the Fish chief, who sends Shark to assist. Shark creates a distraction, enabling the couple’s escape. As they flee, Shark battles the pursuing Killer-Whales, allowing the couple to return home safely.

Source:
Tahltan Tales
by James A. Teit
The American Folklore Society
Journal of American Folklore
Vol.32, No.124, pp.198-250
April-June, 1917
Vol.34, No.133, pp.223-253
July-September, 1921
Vol.34, No.134, pp.335-356
October-December, 1921

► Themes of the story

Underworld Journey: The fisherman’s journey to the underwater realm to rescue his wife.

Revenge and Justice: The Killer-Whales’ act of abducting the fisherman’s wife as retribution for killing their companion.

Cunning and Deception: Shark’s clever tactics to create a distraction and facilitate the rescue.

► From the same Region or People

North America
- Sub-Arctic Region
  - Tahltan Lore

Learn more about Tahltan people

A man was out fishing and drying halibut, and his wife helped him. One day he felt something very heavy on his hook, and could not pull it up. He tied the line to the thwart of the canoe, and paddled ashore. With much trouble he managed to land the fish on the beach. He called on his wife to kill it quickly, and she despatched it with her knife. She cut it up and hung it up to dry, as is done with halibut. They did not know what kind of a fish it was. It was quite strange to them, but they thought it might be good food. When the woman had finished her work, she went to the edge of the water to wash her hands. As soon as she put her hands into the water, something seized them and pulled her underneath the sea. She had been taken by the Killer-Whales, who had come to have revenge on the man for killing their friend. The man followed the trail of his wife and her captors under the sea.

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He came to the house of the Fish chief, and asked him if he knew where his wife was. The chief said, “Yes, the Killer-Whales have taken her to be their slave.” The man asked the chief if any fish of his company would care to help him get back his wife. The chief asked the fishes if any of them would volunteer, and Shark said he would go. Shark went ahead to Killer-Whale’s house, and hid the man outside the door. He went in, and saw that the Killer-Whales were about to eat their evening meal. Their chief said, “Make the fire blaze, that we may see well!” Shark was standing next to the fire. He jumped up quickly and put much wood on the fire, so that it blazed up. The chief then said, “Some one fetch water!” Shark seized the buckets and ran out to draw water. As he came in and was passing the fire, he stumbled purposely, and upset the buckets in the fire, thus causing a dense cloud of ashes and steam to arise. Quickly he caught up the woman, pushed her out into the arms of her husband, who was waiting, and followed them. Shark kept in the rear, and said to the man, “Keep a-going! If they overtake us, I shall fight them,” When the man and woman were nearly home, they looked back, and saw a severe fight in progress. Shark was fighting all the Killer-Whales, biting them with his sharp teeth, and tearing them with his rough skin.

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The blind man and the loon

A blind man relies on his wife to hunt. After successfully shooting a caribou, his wife deceives him, claims he missed, and abandons him. Distraught, he encounters a loon who restores his sight through repeated dives. The loon advises him to confront his wife for her betrayal. Upon finding her, he kills her using her own leg.

► Themes of the story

Love and Betrayal: The man’s wife deceives and abandons him, highlighting themes of betrayal.

Revenge and Justice: After regaining his sight, the man seeks retribution against his wife for her treachery.

Healers and Cures: The loon’s role in miraculously healing the man’s blindness.

► From the same Region or People

North America
- Sub-Arctic Region
  - Tahltan Lore

Learn more about Tahltan people

Once there was an old blind man who travelled with his wife. When game was in sight, he drew his hand over his arrow, then his wife held up his arms, and he shot, never missing his mark. One day he shot a caribou in this way, but his wife told him he had missed. She said, “You are useless now. I am going to leave you.” She went to where the caribou lay, butchered it, and dried the meat. Meanwhile her husband was weeping bitterly. He crawled about, not knowing where he was going, while his wife had plenty to eat. He heard a loon cry, and crawled towards the sound. At last he felt the water of a lake. Loon came to him and asked him why he was crying. The man said, “Because I have missed a caribou, and my wife has deserted me.” Loon said, “Get on my back, I will take you along with me.” The man was afraid. Loon dived with a rock on his back to the other side of the lake and back again. Again he dived with a heavier rock and returned.

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Now the man climbed on Loon’s back. Loon dived from one end of the lake to the other, and then asked the man if he could see. The man answered, “Yes, a little.” Four times Loon dived with him; and when they came up the last time, the man had recovered his eyesight. [Some Indians believe that the loon is a good guardian spirit for shamans, and that those who possess it can cure eye-diseases.] Loon told the man to kill his wife for lying to him and deserting him. He went to her, and found her eating caribou-meat. When she saw him approaching, she said, “I was just going to look for you.” He cut off her leg and killed her with it. [Stories telling how a person is killed with his own arm, leg, head, etc., occur among the Carrier.]

Another Version. A man with his wife and children were camped near a large lake. Here they had snares set for caribou, and nets for fish. They caught hardly any fish and no caribou, and were starving. To make matters worse, the man became blind. The woman then attended to the snares and nets. One day she found a caribou in one of the snares. Taking the children, she deserted her husband, went to where the caribou was, and camped there. Her husband crawled to the lake to have a drink, and then lay down and fell asleep. Something talked to him. It was Loon, asking him why he lay there. The man said, “I was deserted by my wife, came here to drink, and fell asleep.” Loon said, “Your wife is eating caribou-meat over there. I will take you to where she is.” The man was afraid, but finally was persuaded to take hold of Loon around the neck. Loon then dived with him to the end of the lake and came up. He asked the man if he could see; and he answered, “A little.” Loon dived back to where he had started from, and asked the man again if he could see. He answered, “I can see much better, but my sight is still dim.” Then he dived with him a third time, and went towards the place where the caribou-snares were. Loon asked the man again if he could see; and he said, “Very well. I can see everything.” Now Loon gave him a stone knife with which to kill his wife. When he came near where she was, she saw him coming. She cried, and said to the children, “Let us go to your father! Poor man! he is blind.” The husband paid no attention to her, and forthwith killed her and her children.

Story of Tcix’qa’; or, the hunter who could not kill game

A young man, mocked for his poor hunting skills, deceives a woman into marrying him by darkening his thumbs to appear as the best hunter. Unable to provide game, he resorts to a desperate act, leading to his death. The story explains why women often prefer skilled hunters and attributes the red tips of certain lichens to this event.

► Themes of the story

Tragic Flaw: The young man’s dishonesty and laziness prevent him from becoming a proficient hunter, leading to his downfall.

Origin of Things: The tale explains the behaviour of women toward hunters and the way the lichens are coloured.

Cultural Heroes: The story reflects societal values and serves as a cautionary tale within the Tahltan culture, highlighting the traits admired and admonished in their community.

► From the same Region or People

North America
- Sub-Arctic Region
  - Tahltan Lore

Learn more about Tahltan people

Tcix’qa’ is said to be the name for the camp or lodge which adolescent boys use.

A number of young men were living together in a camp or lodge such as young men use at the age of puberty. Nearly every day they went hunting. One of them never killed any game, and the others laughed at him. In the same place lived a wealthy man who had a young marriageable daughter. He thought it was time for her to marry; and one day he said to her, “Carry a dish of food to the young men’s lodge. Give it to the best hunter, and then sit down beside him [thus proposing marriage] and become his wife. You will be able to tell the best hunter by examining the young men’s hands. The one who has the darkest mark at the base of the thumbs is the best hunter.” [It is believed that good hunters have darker skin on the part of the thumb adjoining the palm than poor hunters] The young man who was an indifferent hunter happened to overhear these instructions. He went to the camp-fire and blackened the front part of his thumbs with charcoal. Then he sat down among the other young men and exposed his thumbs, that the girl might see them.

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In the evening the girl came, peered in through the brush of the lodge, and looked at the hands of the young men. She noticed that Tcix’qa’s thumbs were much darker than any of the others: therefore she entered the lodge, gave him the food, and sat down beside him. On the following day all the young men went hunting. They staid out two days; but, as usual, Tcix’qa’ had no game. They all laughed at him, and said that marrying had not changed his luck. [It is believed that marrying often changes a person’s luck.] After his marriage he left the young men’s camp and went to live with his wife and father-in-law. He went hunting with the latter, but never killed anything. His father-in-law thought this was strange for a man chosen as the best hunter of all the young men. He resolved to watch him, to learn why the youth did not kill any game. He saw him going after a caribou. He just ran a short distance, then stopped and walked on with long strides, to make people believe by his track that he had been running. The father-in-law went home, and said to his daughter, “Now I see what your husband does. He is no good. He cannot run, and therefore he never gets any game.” At last Tcix’qa’ felt bad because he could get no game. He cut his anus and pulled out about a yard of his intestines, cut them off, and put them in a bag. Then he plugged the hole with moss and went home. When he reached there, he threw down the bag beside his wife, and told her to cook the contents. His wife said, “He has killed game at last,” and hurried to cook it. Her father stopped her, saying, “It smells bad. Let him cook it himself! There is something wrong.” He hung the intestines on a stick above the fire to cook. When he reached up, the plug fell out of his anus, followed by his entrails and blood, and he died right there. This is why today women always fancy the best hunters, but some choose and marry men who are very poor hunters. Also this is why lichens (Cladonia hellidiflora) have red tips, for the man used them as a plug. The red are the blood-stains.

The hunter who could not run

A young man struggles with hunting due to his inability to run without fear. His uncle observes this and subjects him to rigorous training, including making him carry heavy loads up steep mountains and enduring intense steam in a sweat-house. Over time, the youth overcomes his fears and becomes a proficient hunter.

► Themes of the story

Hero’s Journey: The narrative follows the youth’s transformative adventure, guided by his uncle, leading him to overcome personal limitations and achieve greatness as a hunter.

Cultural Heroes: The uncle serves as a foundational figure, imparting essential survival skills and cultural values to the youth, thereby shaping his role in society.

Moral Lessons: The story imparts lessons on perseverance, discipline, and the importance of mentorship in personal development.

► From the same Region or People

North America
- Sub-Arctic Region
  - Tahltan Lore

Learn more about Tahltan people

A young man lived with his uncle, who made many arrows for him. The youth always shot them away, and came back from hunting without arrows or game. His uncle thought he would watch him. He saw some caribou running away from the youth, who ran after them just a little way. Then he walked with long strides to make people think that he had been running. His uncle then ran ahead, killed all the caribou, and waited for the youth to come up. He was walking comfortably. His uncle asked him why he was not running, and said, “You will never catch any game in that way. Caribou run fast.” The youth answered, “When I run a short time, my heart begins to beat so hard, that I become afraid and have to walk.” They carried the meat to camp. Now the youth’s uncle took him hunting sheep, and killed several. He made his nephew carry a whole sheep up a steep mountain. He made him run. At first he ran, and then he walked.

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His uncle followed close behind, and pushed him when he went too slowly. The youth nearly dropped, but his uncle made him go to the top without stopping. Then his uncle said to him, “You will not die. You will never be out of breath.” The next day he took him to a sweat-house, in which he made much steam. The youth tried to run out, saying that his heart was sick and that he was going to die. His uncle said to him, “You cannot get out until the sweat-house begins to cool off,” and he held him down. Thus he trained him in the sweat-house and by making him run and climb steep slopes. In the end he became a great hunter.

Story of Dca’ndui

Dca’ndui, a renowned hunter, struggled to catch marmots as his traps were mysteriously sprung. After fasting and strengthening his traps, he captured Wolverene, who offered assistance. Wolverene advised Dca’ndui to fast and save his urine, which Wolverene used for cleansing, leading to successful hunts. He also warned against eating a specific marmot bone; when Dca’ndui disobeyed, bad weather ensued. Upon confession, Wolverene rectified the situation, resulting in abundant meat. Dca’ndui returned home with a massive load, attributing his success to Wolverene’s guidance.

► Themes of the story

Forbidden Knowledge: The tale emphasizes the importance of adhering to specific taboos, such as avoiding the consumption of certain marmot bones, and the consequences of violating them.

Moral Lessons: The story imparts ethical teachings about honesty, respect for traditions, and the repercussions of one’s actions.

Harmony with Nature: The narrative underscores the significance of living in balance with the natural world and respecting its inherent rules.

► From the same Region or People

North America
- Sub-Arctic Region
  - Tahltan Lore

Learn more about Tahltan people

Dca’ndui was a celebrated hunter who killed and trapped all kinds of game. Once he went trapping marmots, but could not catch any because his traps were sprung. Although he watched, he could not find out what sprung them. He fasted three days, and then made his deadfalls heavier. Again he fasted three days, and this time he caught somebody by the hand. The man begged him to spare him, and told him that he would go to his camp with him and help him. Dca’ndui agreed; and the man, who was Wolverene, accompanied him. Wolverene told Dca’ndui to fast for three more days and to save all the urine. Dca’ndui wondered what he wanted to do with the urine, and watched through a hole in his blanket. When it was nearly daylight, he saw Wolverene get up and wash himself in the urine and then dry himself. That day they both set traps. Next day Wolverene had a marmot in each of his traps, while Dca’ndui had none.

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Wolverene now told Dca’ndui that he must not eat the small bone at the back of the knees of marmots. He wondered why Wolverene had told him that, and one day he ate one. Then came a spell of rain, snow, wind, and bad weather. All the marmots staid in their holes, and they could not catch any. Wolverene charged Dca’ndui with having eaten the forbidden bone, but he denied it. Then Wolverene went and examined his excrement and found it. He said to Dca’ndui, “You lied about not eating the bone, but I found it.” He wrapped it in feathers and burned it, saying, “Tomorrow good weather will come.” After this they caught many marmots in their traps, and they soon had the camp full of meat.

When Dca’ndui was ready to go home. Wolverene said he would carry the meat for him. Dca’ndui made up a pack for Wolverene of about the same size and weight as he himself could carry. Wolverene said it was too light, so Dca’ndui added more to it. Wolverene said, “I can carry more;” so he added more. At last all the meat was in Wolverene’s pack, and he walked off with it as a man does with an ordinary load. When they arrived on the outskirts of the village. Wolverene put down his load and returned. He told Dca’ndui not to tell any one that he had helped him. When Dca’ndui arrived home, the people asked him what luck he had had. He answered, “Poor luck. I have a very small pack of meat. I left it some little distance away.” He told a man to go out and bring it in. The man could not move it, so he came back and told all the people to go and see it. They went out, and it took all of them to carry it in. They thought Dca’ndui must be a very strong man. This is why wolverenes can carry such heavy loads now, and also why the Indians never eat the small bones at the backs of marmots knees.

Xe’nda; or, the man whom the wolves helped

An elderly hunter named Xe’nda encounters mysterious beings who assist him in hunting caribou. Upon awakening, he finds only wolf tracks, realizing the wolves had aided him. They also teach him to craft shovel-nosed snowshoes, enhancing his hunting efficiency. This story explains the origin of the Tahltan’s “Wolf snowshoes.”

► Themes of the story

Origin of Things: The narrative explains the origin of the “Wolf snowshoes” used by the Tahltan people.

Cunning and Deception: The wolves disguise themselves as humans to communicate with Xe’nda, imparting valuable knowledge.

Moral Lessons: The tale imparts lessons on humility, the importance of accepting help, and the value of adapting to new methods for survival.

► From the same Region or People

North America
- Sub-Arctic Region
  - Tahltan Lore

Learn more about Tahltan people

An old man called Xe’nda, and many people, were hunting caribou, but they could not kill any. They were starving, and became weak. Xe’nda went hunting one day, although he could hardly walk. He came on a long trail of fresh caribou-tracks, and followed it. After a while he came to where a number of snowshoe-tracks followed behind the caribou. He saw where the caribou had begun to jump, and the people had run after them. Soon he came on a dead caribou, then on another and another. He thought some of the people had killed them. He pressed on, and soon heard talking, and then saw a number of strange people beside some dead caribou. They called out in the Kaska language, “A man is coming!” and then invited him to come nearer. He asked them who had killed the game. They answered that they had. They lighted a fire, and cooked and ate the two caribou there.

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They said to Xe’nda, “Your snowshoes are too narrow. You cannot run fast with them, and the caribou get away. If you use snowshoes like those we have, you will be able to travel better and get game.” They showed their snowshoes to Xe’nda, and further told him he could have all the caribou they had killed. Xe’nda thought he must have slept; and when he woke up, the fire was out, and two caribou-skins were lying there. He looked for tracks, and saw only wolf-tracks. He returned to camp, and on the way came to the caribou-carcasses he had first seen. He cut out some meat and took it along. He told the people that he had killed caribou, and the people went out at once to carry in the meat. When they got to the carcasses, they saw that the caribou had been killed by wolves, and they knew that the wolves had helped Xe’nda. After this, the people made snowshoes like those the Wolves had shown to Xe’nda, and they obtained more game. In this way did the Tahltan learn how to make the shovel-nosed snowshoes they now use; and this is why snowshoes of this kind are called “Wolf snowshoes”. The kind used by the Kaska are named “Moose snowshoes”. Both tribes used the same type of snowshoe formerly, but discarded them, and adopted each a different style.

The Wolf-Dog

A hunter raised a wolf as a dog, and together they successfully hunted game. When the hunter’s brother-in-law borrowed the wolf-dog but failed to feed it properly, the wolf returned to its pack. The hunter sought the wolf and was given a magical feather by the Wolf chief. This feather, when pointed at game, would kill multiple animals in succession, ensuring the hunter’s continued success.

► Themes of the story

Conflict with Nature: The hunter utilizes the wolf’s natural instincts to hunt game, highlighting the relationship and tension between humans and the natural world.

Moral Lessons: The narrative imparts a lesson about respect and proper treatment of animals, emphasizing that mistreatment can lead to loss and consequences.

Sacred Objects: The golden-eagle feather given to the hunter by the Wolf chief serves as a powerful artifact with mystical significance, aiding in hunting.

► From the same Region or People

North America
- Sub-Arctic Region
  - Tahltan Lore

Learn more about Tahltan people

Once a man caught a young wolf, and raised him as a dog. He took good care of him, and gave him the best of meat to eat. When he went out hunting, and saw sheep or caribou, he showed them to his wolf-dog, who chased them to the bottom of the hills, where he killed them one after another. The man followed him, and opened and skinned the animals as fast as possible. The wolf lay down some distance away, waiting to be fed. As soon as the man cut up an animal, he gave some of the best meat and fat to the wolf. Thus, through the aid of his dog, the hunter always had an abundance of meat on hand. The people found out how the hunter obtained so much game, and were jealous of him. One day his brother-in-law asked him for the loan of his dog. He agreed, on condition that, as soon as he killed game, he would be careful to feed some of the best parts of each animal to the dog. They found a herd of sheep, and wolf killed them all.

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When the man opened them up, he offered some of the entrails to the wolf, saying, “Here, dog, are some entrails. Dogs eat entrails, and you are a dog.” The wolf moved farther away, and looked at the man; then he moved still farther away, and looked again. The man called him; but he paid no attention to him, and left. The man went home and told the wolf’s owner what had happened. The latter at once arose, and said, “I must follow him.” After going a long way, he caught up with the wolf, and called him, but the wolf kept on. At last he came to the house of the Wolf people, and entered. It was a long-lodge made of brush, and within were many people. The Wolf chief was sitting there, and he recognized his Wolf-dog sitting next to him. The chief said, “Come in and sit down, and tell me why you have come here!” The man said, “I have come to get back my friend.” The chief answered, “He cannot go back with you. He is my nephew, and you did not treat him well.” The hunter said, “It was my brother-in-law, and not I; for myself, I always treated him well.” The chief said, “Well, if some one of you does wrong, it is just the same as if you yourself had done wrong.” This is why now, in hunting, when one person does wrong, it brings bad luck on all. The man was sorry that the chief would not consent to the return of the Wolf-dog. The chief said, “My nephew cannot return to you; but I will help you, as you yourself have always treated him well.” He brought out a large feather from a golden-eagle’s wing, saying, “This is what we Wolves use as bow and arrows. I will give you this: it is just as good for you as my nephew, or even better.” The man hesitated at first, but at last believed what the chief said, and accepted the present. The chief directed him: “Point this feather at game, and it will leave your hand and enter the body of the game next to you; pass through, and go on to the next, until all are killed that are there together. Watch the last one killed, for the arrow will be sticking in it. Push the nock of the arrow, and it will come out through the animal’s mouth. Then wipe and wash and dry it before using it again.” After leaving the Wolf people, the man saw some sheep, and thought he would try the feather on them.

The arrow worked in every detail as said, and killed them all. The hunter used it as long as he lived, following all the directions he had received from the Wolf chief, and thus had all the meat he could use. Because wing-feathers of the golden eagle were used for killing game, some Indians consider them lucky for procuring game, feathering their arrows with them, or wearing them on their heads, one feather on each side, when approaching game.

Wolverene and the brothers

Wolverene, known for his thievery, steals meat from his brothers-in-law, leading them to starvation. Suspecting Wolverene, they devise a plan, eventually injuring him by burning his privates and beating him. Wolverene escapes but is left with lasting injuries, resulting in his distinctive halting gait and reddish loin hair. Ashamed and unable to be with women, he retreats into the woods permanently.

► Themes of the story

Cunning and Deception: The narrative highlights the wolverine’s deceitful actions, such as stealing meat and sabotaging the family’s food supply.

Revenge and Justice: The brothers’ retaliation against the wolverine serves as a form of justice for his misdeeds.

Origin of Things: The wolverine undergoes a physical change due to his punishment, resulting in his distinctive gait and coloration.

► From the same Region or People

North America
- Sub-Arctic Region
  - Tahltan Lore

Learn more about Tahltan people

Wolverene was married to a woman. Her two brothers and her mother lived near them. When the brothers killed game, Wolverene used to go back at night to the place and cache all the meat in a hidden spot for himself. He was a great thief. When the people went to carry in their meat the next day, they found nothing there. On this account they were reduced to starvation. The brothers suspected Wolverene. They killed a moose, and cached all the meat themselves excepting a little that they packed home. That night Wolverene and his wife heard the breaking of bones in the other lodges, as if the people were extracting marrow. He said to his wife, “They are breaking fresh bones.” He sent his wife to see. She questioned her mother, who answered, “How could we have marrow-bones? I was just breaking up a bone skin-scraper to make soup. Your brothers are starving.”

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Wolverene knew better, however, and went out and found their cache. He urinated and defecated on all the meat, and made it unfit to eat. The brothers said, “We shall beat him.” They went out hunting, and killed a young fat moose. Wolverene was also hunting near by; so they called him, saying, “Brother-in-law, will you help us pack some meat home?” He came. They had lighted a fire near the carcass, and were cooking the web of fat from the inside of the moose. They said to Wolverene, “Sit down on the other side of the fire. The fat will be cooked soon. We shall eat something before we carry the meat to camp.” Wolverene was sitting warming himself, and had his knees outspread in front of the fire. One of the brothers took the cooking-stick with the hot fat on the end of it, and threw the fat against Wolverene’s privates, burning him. He scratched the sore place; and while he was thus engaged, they clubbed him. He managed to get away, and as he ran he kept scratching at the sore spot. The brothers chased him, and kept hitting him on the rump. Wolverene reached some smooth ice, and got away from them. Because the wolverene’s rump-hone was broken, he has a halting gait at the present day. Because he was burnt, the hair of his loins is reddish, and he has a burnt smell. Wolverene’s privates were much too sore to have connection with women. He took to the woods, and never lived with people again.

Cannibal-Wolverene and the Fog-Man

A cannibal named Wolverene deceives hunters using a stuffed moose as bait, hiding in a hollow tree to ambush them. A wise man, guided by his fog spirit, uncovers the ruse, retrieves Wolverene’s weapons, and fatally wounds him. He then confronts and kills Wolverene’s wife and daughter, ensuring Wolverene cannot revive. Some versions suggest this led to wolverenes becoming scavengers of corpses.

► Themes of the story

Trickster: Wolverene employs cunning tactics, such as the stuffed moose decoy and hiding within the stump, to deceive and ambush hunters.

Divine Intervention: The wise man’s connection to his fog manitou aids him in uncovering Wolverene’s deception, suggesting the influence of a spiritual guide in mortal affairs.

Revenge and Justice: The wise man’s actions to confront and eliminate Wolverene and his family serve as retribution for the harm Wolverene caused to many hunters, restoring balance and justice to the community.

► From the same Region or People

North America
- Sub-Arctic Region
  - Tahltan Lore

Learn more about Tahltan people

Wolverene was a cannibal, and killed many men. Near Wolverene’s house, not far from a lake, on an open flat, was a large hollow tree, broken off about half way up, and weather-beaten. Wolverene was in the habit of hiding in the stump and watching for hunters. He used a stuffed moose as a decoy. He set the moose up on the open ground in a natural position; and hunters, seeing it, thought it was a live moose, and came to stalk it. When they came close, he pulled the effigy underground with a string leading to the stump; and then, as the hunter looked around on the open ground for tracks, Wolverene shot him with arrows from the stump. A wise man who had fog for his manitou, made up his mind to investigate, and told the people he was going to hunt in the direction in which so many hunters had disappeared. The man came to the lake, and saw what he thought was a moose across the lake feeding in an open place.

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He watched a long time, and noticed that, although the moose appeared to be feeding, it was always stationary. This made him suspicious. He looked about, and saw not far from there a high stump. He saw something white bob up from time to time and disappear at the top of the tree. It looked like the head of a bald-headed eagle. Now the man called fog to come. He went around the lake, and, on closer view, thought the moose looked more like a stuffed than a live animal. He made the fog denser, and, approaching close to the moose, saw that it was the stuffed skin of a moose. Now he went to the stump, and saw that it was hollow right through to the top. Inside the base he discovered a bow and many arrows, of which he at once took possession. Wolverene was up at the top of the tree peering through the fog, and had left his bow and arrows at the bottom. The man looking up through the hollow stump could see him. He called up, “Who are you?” Wolverene was very much surprised to hear a man speaking below him, for this was the first time a man had approached without his knowing it. He knew the man must have taken his weapons, and thus rendered him helpless. He called out to the man, “Spare me!” but the man answered, “No, I cannot, you have killed too many people.” He shot several arrows into Wolverene, and mortally wounded him. The man saw a trail leading away from the stump, and followed it. He came to Wolverene’s house, and saw human bones scattered all around. He saw Wolverene’s wife and daughter inside, and Wolverene lying as if dead. The woman said to her husband, “You say you are killed. When I call you, you will come to life.” Wolverene’s wife took hold of the man, and held him tight. As soon as she did this, Wolverene became alive and approached them. The man was stronger than the woman, and threw her off. As soon as he did this. Wolverene fell dead, saying, “I thought you held him firmly; now I am dying again. I did not think you would let him go.” Each time the woman seized the man, her husband revived; and when he threw her off, he expired. The man then killed the woman and her daughter, and cut Wolverene’s body into small pieces, which he threw into the lake so that he could not come to life again. Some informants say that he transformed these people into wolverenes. Because these people were cannibals, wolverenes eat corpses at the present day.

Story of Ca’kina

Ca’kina, a skilled hunter, had two wives, Beaver and Porcupine, who were malevolent and killed visitors during his absence. A destitute girl, fleeing her mother’s scolding, sought refuge with Ca’kina’s mother. Despite his wives’ hostility, Ca’kina protected and married the girl, eventually driving away Beaver and Porcupine. The exiled wives faced hardships, leading them to adapt to new ways of sustenance.

► Themes of the story

Conflict with Nature: The characters face environmental challenges, such as crossing a river and surviving harsh conditions, highlighting struggles against natural forces.

Family Dynamics: The tensions between Ca’kina’s wives and the introduction of a third wife create complex family relationships, a key theme in myths and legends.

Cunning and Deception: The interactions between the wives and the new wife involve elements of rivalry and strategic maneuvering.

► From the same Region or People

North America
- Sub-Arctic Region
  - Tahltan Lore

Learn more about Tahltan people

Ca’kina was a great hunter, and killed much game. He had two wives, Beaver and Porcupine, who carried home all the meat and skins. They were of evil disposition, and killed any people who came to the camp when their husband was away. With them lived their mother-in-law, who was a very old woman. In another part of the country lived a woman and her daughter, a young girl. Living alone, and having no male relatives to hunt for them, they were very poor and often short of food. One day when the mother was away, the girl, who was very hungry, stole a small piece of tallow that her mother had stored away. On her return, the mother missed the fat, and charged her daughter with taking it. The girl at first denied having touched it, but later confessed, and stated that she had eaten it because she was very hungry. Her mother scolded her, and took a club to beat her. She ran away; and her mother chased her a little way, and called to her, “You must never come back until you marry Ca’kina, who alone can supply you with enough fat.”

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She thought this was an impossibility; for he lived far away, and, besides, his wives were very jealous, and killed every woman who came near them. The girl travelled until she reached Ca’kina’s house, where she found the old woman, his mother, alone. The old woman asked her how she had come there, and the girl told her the whole story. She then said to the girl, “I am afraid my son’s wives will kill you, but I will hide you until my son comes home.” When Ca’kina came home, his mother told him of the girl being there; and he answered, “I am afraid my wives will attempt to kill her, but I shall protect her.” Soon afterwards his wives came home, bringing heavy loads of meat. When they entered the house, both became very angry. Beaver put up her tail and snarled, and Porcupine put up her quills and struck with her tail. They sniffed in the air, and said, “We smell a strange woman.” Their husband told them to remain quiet, otherwise he should put them out; but they persisted. Ca’kina took a club and struck them, and drove them out of the house. They still continued to be angry. Therefore he chased them away, and told them never to come back. He then returned to the house and took the girl to wife. Beaver and Porcupine travelled away until they came to a river, across which Beaver swam. Porcupine cried much, because she could not swim: so Beaver swam back again to her, and told her to get on her back. As Porcupine was afraid, Beaver put a stone on her back, and swam across with it. Then she took a heavier stone and swam with it. At last Porcupine was satisfied that Beaver could carry her, and went on her back. Beaver swam across with her, and they made a camp near by. They found that they were on an island. Afterwards Beaver swam across the stream on the opposite side of the island, saying she would return in a while. Porcupine became short of food, and she could not swim across: she therefore sang for cold weather to come; she called the stars to come out, and kept counting them until the night became very cold. The river froze up, and Porcupine crossed on the ice to the place where Beaver was. Winter had set in, and the two women asked each other how they should provide food for the winter. Hitherto they had lived on meat; but now they must use some different kind of food, for neither of them could kill game. They agreed that they would have plenty of food by eating the bark of trees.

Now they talked about the winter, and how long it should last. Beaver said we should have as many winter moons as scales on her tail, and she began to count them. She held up her tail while talking, and persisted in what she had said. Porcupine said, “The people would all starve; and I myself could not live, or endure such a long winter. I want four months of real winter, and the rest of the year favorable weather for travelling around, and not too cold.” Beaver insisted, and so did Porcupine. The latter became angry and bit off her thumb, and held up her four fingers in front of Beaver’s face, saying, “I tell you, there will be only four real winter months.” Beaver then gave in, and agreed with Porcupine. This is the reason why now there are hut four months of steady cold weather in each year; also the reason why the porcupine now has only four claws, instead of five as formerly.

Now the women talked of where they would live. Finally it was agreed that Beaver should live in low places along rivers, and Porcupine should go in the high places in the mountains. This is why these animals inhabit these localities now. Porcupine said, “It is now wintertime, and we should build houses to live in. Let us see who will manage to build a house first! We shall each know which house is finished first by lighting a fire inside and letting the smoke issue.” Now they separated, and built their houses. Porcupine made her house between rocks at the roots of trees, and covered it with bark. She had it finished long before Beaver, and sent up a column of smoke to let Beaver know her house was completed. Beaver made her house of sticks very carefully and with great labor. This is the reason why these animals now make houses as they do at the present day. Ca’kina liked his new wife, and soon after his marriage went with her to see his wife’s mother. The girl filled her house with fat, thus paying back the tallow she had eaten. Her mother was surprised when she brought back Ca’kina as her husband. Henceforth Ca’kina and his wife and the two mothers-in-law lived together. Ca’kina hunted for all, and they always had plenty to eat.