In a time before European contact, a Dog-Rib individual prepared a camp for an approaching group and warned some Beaver people about nearby fox holes, intending to harm them. A conflict ensued, resulting in many Beaver deaths, though some escaped. This violence stemmed from ongoing hostilities with the Cree. Eventually, the Beaver and Cree reconciled, ending their conflicts.
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
Conflict with Authority: The Dog-Rib individual’s deceitful actions can be seen as a challenge to the established norms or authority within the community.
Cunning and Deception: The Dog-Rib uses deceit by falsely informing the Beaver about fox holes, leading them into a trap.
Revenge and Justice: The subsequent attack by the Beaver can be interpreted as an act of retribution for the Dog-Rib’s deceit.
► From the same Region or People
Learn more about the Dane-zaa people
One time a Dog-Rib who was making a camp ready for those who were coming said to some Beaver, “There are fox holes where you are.” He said it because he thought he might kill them. The Beaver went in and began to shoot. They killed many of the Beaver but a few got away. They killed them as they ran. It was his younger brother who did this.
It was on account of the Cree. They were very miserable on account of them. Before white people came they were hunting each other. The Cree were trying to kill the Beaver. Now they have made friends with each other and nothing happens now.
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