Putting the enemy to sleep by magic

two brothers encounter a large group of strangers. The elder brother hesitates to attack due to their numbers, but the younger insists. They approach the group under the guise of being scolded members of a larger party and invite four young men to accompany them. After nightfall, one brother uses supernatural powers to induce sleep, allowing them to kill the men with knives.

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

Cunning and Deception: The brothers employ deceit by pretending to be harmless and gaining the trust of their enemies before attacking.

Magic and Enchantment: They use supernatural powers to induce sleep in their victims, showcasing the use of magic in achieving their goals.

Conflict with Authority: By deceiving and killing members of another group, the brothers challenge and disrupt the established order, leading to conflict.

► From the same Region or People

North America
- Sub-Arctic Region
  - Dane-zaa Lore

Learn more about the Dane-zaa people

Two men started out to kill people. As they were going along the road they saw a large number of people sitting down. The two men were not themselves seen. “Well, let us get away from them,” said the elder brother, and they turned back. “Let us shoot them anyway,” said the younger brother. “There are too many people, we will get caught,” the older one insisted. “Let us shoot them anyway,” the younger brother repeated and pointed his gun at them again. “We will get caught, there are too many of them,” the older said again. “Well, turn back, if you are afraid,” the younger one said, and they turned back. “I will fool them,” one of them said. They put their weapons on the ground and went where the people from a distant country were sitting.

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When these people saw them they asked the young men what they were looking for. They replied that they were not out on a foolish errand but belonged to a large party who were traveling over by the river. They had gone off by themselves because they had been scolded. They proposed that four young men should return with them.

With these four men they came down to a very large river. After sunset they went to bed. One of the two young men tried to make them sleep by use of supernatural power. “One of them must be a powerful medicineman,” he said to himself. After considerable time he caused them all to sleep. “Now,” he said to his companion, and they killed them all with their knives.

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A man finds beaver in small places

A man boasts about his ability to catch beavers even in confined spaces. He enlists companions to help drive muskrats and beavers into a small area for an easy hunt. Despite their efforts, the beaver eludes them. Eventually, after enduring hunger, they discover a stick and find the beaver sitting nearby, leading to a successful hunt that pleases everyone.

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

Quest: The man’s journey to hunt beavers and muskrats represents a pursuit to achieve a specific goal.

Cunning and Deception: The man uses strategic methods to outsmart and capture the animals, reflecting the use of wit to achieve his objectives.

Conflict with Nature: The narrative centers on the man’s struggle against natural creatures, highlighting the challenges humans face when interacting with the natural world.

► From the same Region or People

North America
- Sub-Arctic Region
  - Dane-zaa Lore

Learn more about the Dane-zaa people

One man went to get beaver. “I should be able to kill beaver even in very small places,” he said to himself. He went back and asked someone to go with him after beaver and muskrats. He said they could go behind and drive the muskrats ahead so they might kill them in a small beaver place and eat them all up. They went there and started after them and the muskrats ran off ahead of them. When he came back there again the men were sitting at the small beaver place. “We will eat it all up,” he said. “We will make a hole under his food and go in there. Far up there they came to the end. They looked for him there but he was not to be found. Then one man went into a minkskin and looked for him.

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Then he found him and started after him. There at the end he pushed the wood out. He went home again.

Then they were very hungry. “Go look for some sticks,” he told them. They looked for them and found a stick. When they were looking for it they saw the beaver sitting. They killed them all. The people were pleased.

The killing of the children avenged

The story recounts a tragic event where, during a buffalo hunt, a group of children is killed by strangers. Upon discovering the massacre, the grieving parents rush back, but one young man remains composed. He later tracks down the perpetrators, mutilates them by cutting off their ears, and leaves them to suffer, thus avenging the slain children.

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

Revenge and Justice: The narrative centers on avenging the slain children, highlighting retribution and the restoration of moral order.

Tragic Flaw: The initial complacency or negligence of the community members may have contributed to the tragedy, underscoring human vulnerabilities.

Family Dynamics: The story delves into familial bonds, emphasizing the deep impact of the children’s loss on their parents and the community.

► From the same Region or People

North America
- Sub-Arctic Region
  - Dane-zaa Lore

Learn more about the Dane-zaa people

The men were away after buffalo and their wives were moving the camp along after them. There was one woman living with them. “When you were named Wind-crossing-each-other, you used to say they (the Cree) are coming after us.” “Yes,” she said. This woman (?) who was coming along behind them turned off on another road. She made a road far from that place, not stopping to sleep until it was daylight. When one could see, the young buffaloes were coming from way over there. They drank up all the water. All the children were saying, “Mother, father, here is mother’s camp.” Now strange people had killed all the children. All the children had followed her along the upper road. She had put them in a hole there.

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An old woman ran from there to where the men were killing the buffalo and said, “Come, our children have all been killed. The men started running on the snow without their moccasins. They were crying because their children were all killed. There was one boy, the old woman’s son, who did not care. “Do as you please,” he told them. “I will come in the morning.” He did not care, he simply pulled the meat out of his mouth. When it was nearly daylight he started. The others were lying on the ground with cramps. He went after the others. They were crying because their children had been killed. He cut off the ears of some of them and let them suffer still living. He made them like the rest of his relatives. “Let them suffer,” he said and so he had revenge. [Both the text and the interpretation were so poorly done that the narrative is hardly intelligible.]

The escape of the brothers from the beaver lodge

Two brothers enter a beaver lodge to hunt. Unaware that a Cree war party has attacked their camp, they become trapped when the Cree set the lodge on fire. Facing suffocation, the older brother leads an escape through an underwater passage, pulling his younger sibling to safety. Despite freezing conditions, they survive, highlighting their resilience during times of conflict.

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 brothers face aggression from the Cree, who represent an oppressive force threatening their lives.

Trials and Tribulations: The brothers endure significant challenges, including escaping the burning lodge and surviving the freezing conditions.

Cunning and Deception: The brothers use their knowledge of the beaver lodge’s structure to outwit the Cree and escape through the underwater passage.

► From the same Region or People

North America
- Sub-Arctic Region
  - Dane-zaa Lore

Learn more about the Dane-zaa people

There were two young brothers who went in under a beaver lodge. They were waiting there listening to detect the beaver. While they were there, a party of Cree came and killed the people at the camp. The young men did not find it out, but the Cree saw them and came to the hole which they had cut in the beaver lodge and brought a quantity of dry wood which they pushed in and set on fire. The men inside were in great distress, and could hardly breathe on account of smoke. They were about to die and there was nothing they could do to help themselves. They plunged into the water, for they knew that down stream there was a hole which had been cut through the ice. The older brother succeeded in reaching the hole and came out.

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I suppose he did not do it without some reason. [Interpolated by the narrator to explain that the man had supernatural help in escaping.] His younger brother was behind him, for the older brother had said, “Keep right behind me.” He felt for his brother and caught him by the foot just as he was passing the opening. They both got out safely and went away and hid. The clothes they had on, being wet, froze. They were nearly frozen to death, but escaped.

There were no white people here at that time. They had a hard time because of the Cree who were always killing them. This happened when they had breechcloths of skin.

Starving Beaver visit the Rocky Mountains

In a harsh winter, a group of Beaver Indians faced deep snow and severe starvation, lacking essential tools like knives, axes, or guns. They crafted snowshoes using stones and beaver teeth but continued to suffer losses until only three men remained. After subsisting on a porcupine, one dreamt of a distant inhabited place. Following this vision, they traversed the Rocky Mountains, discovered a camp with abundant meat, and survived. With the return of summer, they journeyed back to their homeland.

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 survivors endure extreme hardships, including deep snow, lack of tools, and starvation, testing their resilience and determination.

Dreams and Visions: A pivotal dream guides the survivors to a place of refuge, highlighting the significance of visionary experiences in guiding actions.

Journey to the Otherworld: The trek over the Rocky Mountains into unknown territory symbolizes a passage into a realm beyond their familiar world.

► From the same Region or People

North America
- Sub-Arctic Region
  - Dane-zaa Lore

Learn more about the Dane-zaa people

It has happened within recent years, that small parties of Indians, hunting in a vast, unexplored territory, west of Vermilion, have wandered from their hunting-grounds to those of the Fort St. John Indians, and Indians from Fort St. John appear in the neighborhood of Vermilion. Many Beaver Indians were traveling together. It was winter and the snow was deep. They had no knives, axes, or guns. They made snow-shoes with stones and beaver teeth for tools. They were having a hard time and dying of starvation. They kept dying until only three men were alive who set out to find other people. They were traveling along and were in a bad way for food when they killed a porcupine.

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Having eaten that, they slept, and one of them dreamed of the place where people were living. The next morning they started in that direction, and continued until they came to the Rocky Mountains which they climbed. They were traveling there with great difficulty, when suddenly they saw a fire. They came to the people who had the fire, and found them well supplied with meat. Those three men were saved. Then when summer came again, they came back in this direction to their own country.

A woman hides bear meat from her starving husband

In a time of famine, a woman discovers a bear and secretly hides its meat, even from her starving husband. Unaware, he returns to find only bear fat and becomes fearful. Despite their children’s hunger, she conceals the bear, leading to tension. Eventually, they begin catching fish, sustaining the group until spring. This tale highlights themes of secrecy and survival among the Dane-zaa people.

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

Cunning and Deception: The woman secretly hides the bear meat from her husband and the rest of the starving group, deceiving them about the available resources.

Family Dynamics: The narrative explores the relationship between the woman and her husband, highlighting issues of trust and survival within the family unit.

Loss and Renewal: The community experiences a period of deprivation followed by a renewal of fortune when they begin to catch fish, illustrating the cyclical nature of hardship and relief.

► From the same Region or People

North America
- Sub-Arctic Region
  - Dane-zaa Lore

Learn more about the Dane-zaa people

Once a band of Indians were traveling about starving. There was one man who was a poor hunter and no one fed him. Then the man’s wife found a bear and hid it from the others. The man did not know about it either. He had been some distance ahead and returned to find his wife gone. He wondered what was the matter and turned back to look for her. When he came back close he stood listening, for he feared the Cree were about. He heard his children asking for fat. “Why do the children say that?” he said to himself. When he came home nothing but bear fat was to be seen. He was frightened. The woman was hiding it. “Since you have hidden it for a short time, you must continue to hide well,” he said.

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They were with the people and had eaten up a bear without their knowing it. They had not secured fish and the children were about to die of starvation, yet she had hidden the bear. The woman was not feeding that man. They had been many places for fish, but they had not killed any when suddenly they began to kill fish. He lived well with the people. They all lived until the snow melted.

A man and his wife alone escape the Cree

In a time of famine, a group of Beaver people hurried to a lake, hoping to find fish. Upon arrival, they were ambushed by the Cree, who killed all except one nearly starved man. He reunited with his wife, and they hid in the snow for four days without fire. When the man returned to the lake, he found the bodies of his slain people.

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 Nature: The couple endures extreme conditions, sleeping in the snow without fire, highlighting their struggle against the harsh natural environment.

War and Peace: The story centers around the violent conflict with the Cree, resulting in the massacre of the man’s community.

Community and Isolation: Following the attack, the couple finds themselves isolated, being the sole survivors of their community.

► From the same Region or People

North America
- Sub-Arctic Region
  - Dane-zaa Lore

Learn more about the Dane-zaa people

At first the people were starving. One man was nearly starved. They were hurrying to the lake for fish. “We will get to the fish by tomorrow,” they said. When they came down to the lake the Cree were there and killed them all except the miserable man. He was the only one that survived. He had started back after his wife and met her when she was nearly to the lake. He called to her to come to him. She went there and they cleared away the snow and lay down and slept four days without a fire. When the sun rose they got up and the man started over to the lake. Out on it was a black spot which proved to be the bodies of the people who had been killed. Not one of the Beaver was alive.

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A man scares off the Cree with a gun

An elderly man, sensing impending danger, warned his people to stay vigilant. The next morning, the Cree attacked. Positioned at the end of the row of tipis, the old man used a gun he had found earlier, with only four bullets. He shot and killed the lead attacker, causing the others to retreat, believing he was well-armed. This act of bravery protected his community.

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

Cunning and Deception: The old man devises a clever plan to use his limited resources effectively, deceiving the Cree into believing he poses a greater threat.

Conflict with Authority: The story involves a confrontation between the man’s community and the attacking Cree, representing a struggle against an opposing force.

Guardian Figures: The elderly man acts as a protector for his people, taking decisive action to safeguard them from harm.

► From the same Region or People

North America
- Sub-Arctic Region
  - Dane-zaa Lore

Learn more about the Dane-zaa people

They were living there when one of them felt there was something wrong. He asked the people to keep good watch. The next morning the Cree attacked them. This old man had one gun and four bullets. His tipi was the last one in the row. When the Cree were coming there he fired the gun. He had planned what he would do. He killed the Cree who was running ahead and the others ran back. The Cree thought he had a gun and were afraid. That was a tough old man. They say he wintered on his flesh.

The old man had found the gun with four bullets lying beside it at a place where some people had been killed. He had kept it without firing it and now he killed a man with it. Then they say the old man had the use of it.

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A Cree, caught alone, is killed by the Beaver

Four young men, while checking their caribou snares, discover tracks of a lone traveler wearing round snowshoes, identifying him as a Cree. They decide to pursue and confront him. Upon catching him, they interrogate the man, who admits to killing “bad people,” implying their friends. Angered, they fatally stab him and dispose of his body in the water.

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

Revenge and Justice: The young men seek retribution against the Cree traveler, believing he has harmed their people.

Conflict with Authority: The act of taking justice into their own hands reflects a challenge to established norms or authority.

Tragic Flaw: The traveler’s admission and perceived arrogance lead to his demise, highlighting a personal weakness.

► From the same Region or People

North America
- Sub-Arctic Region
  - Dane-zaa Lore

Learn more about the Dane-zaa people

Some young men were out in the caribou country camping and snaring game. They visited their snares frequently. Four young men were out in the morning to look after the snares. When they were coming back they saw one man had passed along wearing round snowshoes. “This must be a Cree and we will kill him,” they said. They hurried after him. He was going toward their camp. He came out on a lake and was walking along ahead. The young men ran after him and caught hold of him. “Tell us what you are going after. Did you ever kill people?” they asked him, “Yes, I have killed people but they weren’t like people. They were bad people. Those are the only ones I have killed,” he replied. He meant the friends of these young men. They stabbed him through the body and put the body in the water. Those young men killed him.

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An entire band is killed by the Cree

A starving band of Beaver Indians hurried toward a fish lake, hoping to find sustenance. Upon arrival, they encountered the Cree. Both groups engaged in combat, but the Cree, being more numerous and stronger, killed all the Beaver warriors. Subsequently, the Cree also killed the Beaver women and children, leaving none alive.

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

War and Peace: The narrative centers on a violent conflict between two groups, the Beaver and the Cree, resulting in the complete annihilation of the Beaver band.

Tragic Flaw: The encounter suggests a possible lack of preparedness or misjudgment on the part of the Beaver, leading to their ultimate demise.

Community and Isolation: The story reflects on the fate of a community facing isolation and the devastating consequences of their encounter with a more powerful adversary.

► From the same Region or People

North America
- Sub-Arctic Region
  - Dane-zaa Lore

Learn more about the Dane-zaa people

A band of Indians were traveling in a starving condition. They were hastening frantically towards a fish lake. “We shall get there tomorrow,” they were saying. They came to the lake the next evening only to find the Cree there. When they came to an open place each party saw the other. There was nothing they could do so they began to kill each other. There were many of the Cree and they were stronger than the Beaver. The Beaver were not able to kill a single one of the Cree but were themselves killed to a man. Then the women and children came along behind and the Cree killed them all. They were slaughtered to the last one.

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