Two brothers camped together, despite ominous dreams. Spotting approaching Cree enemies, they fled, with the older brother insisting on carrying a roasted beaver for sustenance. After three days of pursuit, they managed to escape, ate the beaver, and regained their strength, ultimately finding safety.
Source:
The Beaver Indians
by Pliny Earle Goddard
The American Museum of Natural History – Anthropological Papers
Volume X, Part 4
New York, 1912
► Themes of the story
Trials and Tribulations: The brothers face the challenge of evading their pursuers over an extended period, testing their endurance and resolve.
Family Dynamics: The narrative centers on the relationship between the two brothers, highlighting their cooperation and differing perspectives during their escape.
Cunning and Deception: The brothers employ their wits and strategies to outmaneuver the Cree and ensure their survival.
► From the same Region or People
Learn more about the Dane-zaa people
Once there were two brothers who were camping together. They were not having good dreams. “We better not do as we are doing,” one of them said. “We are doing all right here,” the other replied. “We will roast the beaver and eat it, and remain here until the snow melts.” The older brother looked around and then said to his younger brother, “You say we are in a good place. What is that over there?” He looked and saw there were Cree in the direction they were going. “What shall we do?” asked the older brother. “I will carry the beaver,” he said. “We will run away,” said the older one. “Never mind the beaver, throw it away,” the younger one said. “Well, if we get out of this alive it will be hard to get along without meat. I will carry it over there,” the older brother said.
► Continue reading…
They ran off and the Cree chased them. They could not get away from the Cree who came up to them and were about to kill them. The younger brother was usually able to run very fast but he could not run like that now. “He will be killed; he is clumsy with fright,” the older brother said to himself. His legs were pounding together with fear. Then he ran like a moose and got some distance from the Cree. “You carry this beaver,” the older brother said. “Never mind it, we will throw it away,” the younger brother replied. “Do not do that. Carry it,” he insisted. Then he consented to carry it and they ran away from the Cree nevertheless.
After they had been running three nights they made a camp and slept. They roasted the beaver and ate it. After that they lived happily again. They were very tired but after they had eaten they were all right again.
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Dreamtime Whispers 