A magician escapes the Cree by turning into a buffalo

An elderly man remains in his lodge, singing medicine songs, unaware of an attack by the Cree. As the Cree approach, they find only a buffalo ready to charge, which frightens them away. The buffalo is revealed to be the old man, who had transformed to escape harm. He had intended to rejuvenate himself by making new teeth and becoming young again.

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


Trickster: He uses cunning and his magical abilities to outsmart the Cree warriors.

Rebirth: The narrative touches upon the concept of rejuvenation, as the old man plans to make himself young again.

Conflict with Authority: The story depicts a confrontation between the individual (the old man) and an opposing force (the Cree).

► From the same Region or People

Learn more about the Dane-zaa people


There were many people living together. Among them was an old man who was going to make new teeth for himself. While the Beaver were camped there for him the Cree came and attacked them. The other people all ran away but that old man did not get up. He was singing his medicine songs and did not know the Cree had come there. They went off after the Beaver but did not kill them. When the Cree came back they heard a man singing. They went to him. The old man was in a lodge. He pushed the poles up high so that he could be seen. There was no man there only a buffalo which was about to attack them. They were afraid of him. The buffalo was the old man.

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He had one child. “I will make my teeth come again,” he said. That is why they had made a camp for him. He had said he would make himself a young man again. They say that is the way they used to do. When old age was going to kill them they used to rejuvenate themselves in a lodge.


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Wonyoni escapes from the Cree

Wonyoni, an elderly hunter, encounters Cree warriors while hunting moose. To divert them, he rolls a large stone down a hill, creating noise that misleads the Cree into chasing the stone, thinking it’s him. Seizing the opportunity, Wonyoni safely returns to his camp, outsmarting his pursuers.

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: Wonyoni outsmarts the Cree by using a clever trick to mislead them.

Conflict with Authority: The story depicts an individual evading pursuit by a dominant or opposing group.

Trickster: Wonyoni plays the role of a trickster, using wit rather than strength to overcome his enemies.

► From the same Region or People

Learn more about the Dane-zaa people


The old man, Wonyoni, was hunting moose with a dog when he became aware of Cree in the neighborhood. “What shall I do?” he said to himself and began to study the situation. He started off making tracks away from the place where his camp was situated. He came to an open place, looking back now and then. He was looking for the Cree, when suddenly he saw a man. He was traveling toward a large river and when he came there, he found a large stone and carried it with him up the hill where he was going to lie down for the night. He was on the watch there when suddenly the Cree were all around him. “How shall I get away from here?” he said to himself. Still considering this he went to bed. The Cree were all around him.

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When they made a rush at him to kill him he kicked the large stone he had brought up the hill so that it rolled down, breaking the trees as it went. The Cree thinking it was Wonyoni running away, chased after it. The old man immediately started back to his camp. The Cree were sitting there waiting for daylight so they could catch him. They did not kill him and he got back to his camp without being discovered because he was smart.


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Wonyoni avenges the death of his sons

Wonyoni lived in isolation with his family due to his brother’s malevolence. Despite warnings, his three sons visited their uncle, who murdered the two eldest. The youngest escaped and informed Wonyoni. Feigning indifference, Wonyoni later confronted and killed his brother in retaliation. This tale, rooted in Dane-zaa lore, underscores themes of familial bonds, betrayal, and vengeance.

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: Wonyoni seeks retribution for the unjust killing of his sons by his brother.

Tragic Flaw: The uncle’s malevolence and cruelty lead to his downfall.

Conflict with Authority: Wonyoni challenges his brother’s oppressive and violent behavior, ultimately overthrowing him.

► From the same Region or People

Learn more about the Dane-zaa people


A man named Wonyoni had always camped by himself and raised his family apart from others. One of his sons once inquired if they were the only existing people. His father told him that an uncle lived not far away by a fish lake, but because this uncle was a mean man he had raised his family by themselves. The boy replied that they would visit the uncle anyway.

“Well, my boy, you are to be pitied, for you will not live long if you do that,” the father warned him. “Never mind that, we will visit him,” the boy said. “I have hindered your going many times, now do as you like,” the father conceded.

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Before the three boys set out to make the visit the father told the youngest boy not to go into the tipi even if the two older boys did so. He renewed the boy’s shoe strings because the old ones were dry and brittle. He also advised him to leave his snowshoes along the trail, one pair behind the other because the track upon the snow was not strong. The boy did as his father advised.

When they came to the uncle’s home the two older boys went in but the youngest played outside, although they called to him to come in. The uncle had killed all who had visited him previously and had rendered their fat. He directed his wife to cook for the guests. When they had been fed he took two spears and conducted the boys to the base of the tipi where he placed them. “This is the way your aunt and I used to do when we found a she-bear and her young ones. When we came upon them we would scare them out, and one standing on either side, we would spear them as they ran out. “This is the lard we made of them.” Then as an illustration of the way it was done he drove the spears through both boys at the same time. The remaining boy ran back down the road. The uncle chased him but because the road was not firm enough to hold the older man, the boy outran him and escaped. When he returned, his father inquired about his brothers. “My uncle killed them,” the boy replied.

To this Wonyoni paid no attention but lay by the fire as if nothing had happened. His wife cried and tried to throw herself into the fire. When daylight was appearing the next morning, the man went to his son and said, “Come, let us go to your uncle.” They went where he had lived but found the tipi had been moved away. He had killed the two boys without any reason and burned everything over. “My brother is laughing at us ahead there. Your uncle never knows what he ought to do,” the father said.

They followed to the other side of the lake where the tipi had been placed on a large flat. Wonyoni was angry. When they came near they saw the uncle walking outside watching for them. He came up to them and met them. He was a large man. When he came up close to them Wonyoni ran back from him. “I guess you ran off because your feelings are hurt,” the large man said to him. Then Wonyoni ran up to him again saying, “You intend doing again as you did to the boys. Well, you make the first move,” he said, showing his lack of respect. Wonyoni then aimed a blow at the man’s head, but struck below and broke his legs. The large man fell and Wonyoni came up to him and killed him with his club.

The father and son then went up the bank where the camp stood. No one was stronger than that old man. “Where did you put him?” the large man’s wife asked. She had a flat stone in her bag which she took out and threw at the man. Stepping to one side he dodged it and jumped on the woman, knocking her down. Wonyoni then killed all the people at the camp of the uncle whose name had been Bear-stands-in-the-water. Wonyoni, having killed many people, returned to his own camp. The people were all glad.


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Agait’osdunne marries the chief’s daughter

Agait’osdunne, a man of low status, impregnates the chief’s daughter. To identify the father, the chief uses his thunderbirds, which reveal Agait’osdunne’s guilt. Banished together, Agait’osdunne utilizes his supernatural abilities to provide for them, while their former tribe faces starvation. Despite adversities, including an attack that nearly kills him, Agait’osdunne’s resilience and powers ensure their survival.

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


Transformation: Agait’osdunne, initially perceived as a miserable man who had never killed anything, demonstrates supernatural abilities and resourcefulness, transforming his and his wife’s dire circumstances into a sustainable life.

Conflict with Authority: The chief, representing authority, casts out his daughter and Agait’osdunne, leading to their struggle against this imposed hardship.

Revenge and Justice: After being ostracized, Agait’osdunne ensures that those who cast them out receive only animal blood to sustain themselves, serving as a form of retribution for their earlier actions.

► From the same Region or People

Learn more about the Dane-zaa people


They did not know what kind of a man Agait’osdunne was. He was a miserable man and miserable beyond that; and they had no respect for him since he had never killed anything. There was another man who was highly respected, the chief. He had a daughter of whom he took great care to guard her from evil. All at once it appeared from her shape that she was pregnant. Her father was determined to find out by whom she was in that condition. He was a man who had very great supernatural power, and had some young thunderbirds that he was keeping in a cage. He thought he would find out what he wanted to know through the help of these birds. He brought the men all together and asked each of them who did it.

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They all denied knowing who had done it. Then he made them go in where the birds were. If the man who was guilty went in the birds would ruffle up their feathers. He was going to find out about it in this way. They went in one by one but the feathers of the birds did not move.

“Are these all the men?” he asked. “There is one man who is not here,” they told him. Then Agait’osdunne came in and the feathers of the birds stood out immediately. “Her child is from that man,” he concluded. He sent his child away in very pitiful condition. “Let them die,” he said. He cast them off, leaving them no clothes to wear. They were in pitiful condition and there was nothing they could do. Agait’osdunne was determined they should live. With his supernatural power he caused a moose to come there and killed it. From its skin he made two good garments. He was that kind of a being. If he said something should happen that thing happened.

By means of that power they lived all winter without suffering hardships. Those from whom they had moved were starving to death. Because they had cast him off to die, he would give them nothing but the blood, and he gave them much of that. “Let them live on the blood of the animals that are killed,” he said. When he went after animals he told his wife that the one which came first should be spared. There was one mean man who shot it and killed all the animals that they lived on. When she saw her husband was not around she thought something might have befallen him. She took a mooseskin garment and went to him. When she came up to him he was still alive. She put a skin over his head and made him well again. Agait’osdunne was from an animal. Nothing was difficult for him.


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Atcecq kills a bad man

In a time of famine, a young boy named Atcecq visits a notorious old man known for his cruelty. Despite warnings, Atcecq seeks food from the old man, who attempts to intimidate him. After consuming the offered fish without harm, the old man challenges Atcecq to a display of supernatural power. Atcecq cleverly turns the old man’s power against him, causing his death. This act liberates the community, allowing them to access the lake’s fish and end their starvation.

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


Trickster: Atcecq employs cunning and wit to outsmart the malevolent old man, a hallmark of the trickster archetype.

Conflict with Authority: Atcecq challenges the old man’s oppressive dominance, ultimately overthrowing his tyrannical rule.

Moral Lessons: The tale imparts ethical teachings, emphasizing the triumph of good over evil and the value of intelligence in overcoming adversity.

► From the same Region or People

Learn more about the Dane-zaa people


One time when they were starving they started to move toward a lake where they knew there were fish. A bad old man was known to live there but they thought he was away from home. When they came to the place they found he was still living there. Then that small boy said he would visit his grandfather, meaning the old man. His friends advised him against it, but he replied that since he was starving and suffering much he would visit him nevertheless. The others tried hard to stop him but he set out to pay the visit. When he arrived the old man asked why he came. “I came to you, grandfather, because I am starving,” the boy replied. “Well, you will not live long,” the old man said, “go back or I will kill you.”

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“You do not talk as other people do, grandfather,” the boy said. “Well, cook him some fish,” he told his wife. The boy ate the fish when it was set before him. “What kind of a person are you who eat the fish I give you and still live? You are Atcecq,” the old man said. “Why do you say that? I ate what you gave me and I am happy,” the boy replied.

“Cook for him again,” he said, and his wife did so. “No person ever did this way with me before, but let us use supernatural power on each other,” the old man said. “What am I to do, that you speak that way?” the boy asked. “You have eaten much of my food,” the old man replied. “You do something to me first, grandfather,” the boy said. The old man made a large frog sit on his palm and told the boy to take it. “Now you do something to me,” the old man said. “Yes, grandfather, but what do I know, that you should say that to me?” the boy asked. “You swallowed a small frog and how is it that it did not bother you?” the old man asked. “What sort of a person am I that you should say that?” the boy asked again. The old man swallowed it and he could hardly breathe.

When Atcecq started back the old man said that since he had done that to him, he would know how to cure him. He sent his wife to bring the boy back that he might cure him. When the boy saw the sorrowful looking old woman coming after him he told her that he was not yet old enough to marry and that her husband might keep her. He turned back and came to the old man who was still breathing. When the boy began to sing over him the frog closed the old man’s mouth and he died.

The boy then ran back to his friends who asked how it happened he was still alive. “My grandfather was very kind. He is not a mean man. He fed me well and I ate what he gave me,” the boy replied. They knew the old man was mean and they were afraid of him.

Atcecq killed him and the people were very much pleased. They moved camp to the place where the fish were and many people were saved from starving.

The old man had many wives for he had taken the wives of the men he had killed. They took these women away. Many people were glad because of what Atcecq had done.


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Atcecq kills buffalo

In a time of famine, a group of Indigenous people discovered buffalo but lacked the means to hunt them. A boy named Atcecq took initiative, despite the community’s anger and threats against him. He skillfully hunted the buffalo, distributing the meat based on family size, thereby saving the community from starvation. This tale highlights themes of courage and resourcefulness.

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


Hero’s Journey: Atcecq embarks on a transformative adventure, taking initiative to hunt the buffalo and ultimately becoming a hero to his people.

Conflict with Authority: Atcecq defies the community’s decision to wait until the next day to hunt, challenging their authority by acting on his own.

Sacrifice: Atcecq risks his life and faces the community’s wrath to provide food for his people, sacrificing his safety for their well-being.

► From the same Region or People

Learn more about the Dane-zaa people


One time when a band of Indians were without food, someone saw some buffalo. They did not have guns and since the buffalo were in an open place without cover they did not know how they could get them. They decided to wait until the next day when they could make a fence and drive them into a corral.

A boy, named Atcecq, started after the buffalo by himself, and the people were all angry. “Let us kill him,” they were saying. They went after him. They prepared a large fire for him and sat down by it waiting for him. As he was coming back he found his grandmother who had raised him, sitting behind the fire crying.

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“Why are you crying, grandmother?” he asked. “These people say they are going to kill you,” she replied. “Show me which one of them says that of me,” he asked of his grandmother. They were afraid of him.

Then they started after the buffalo and found them still where they had been seen. “Be careful, they might see us,” they said. The boy followed along after the others. They also told him to take care the buffalo did not see him. This boy had killed all the buffalo. From a man who had many children he had taken two of his arrows, but if there was only one child he took only one arrow. With these arrows he had killed all the buffalo, allotting them one or two animals according to the number of children. They were all saved from starving.


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White Bear story

White Bear punishes Fox by taking his shoulder, causing Fox to fall ill. Fox enlists Crow’s help to retrieve it. Crow deceives White Bear, steals the shoulder, and returns it to Fox. Angry, White Bear hides the sun, plunging the world into darkness. Crow, in disguise, tricks White Bear again, restoring the sun to the sky. This story explains the separation of white and black bears and portrays white bears as wicked.

Source: 
The Fireside Stories of the Chippwyans
by James Mackintosh Bell
The American Folklore Society
Journal of American Folklore
Vol.16, No.61, pp. 73-84
April-June, 1903


► Themes of the story


Trickster: The crow embodies the trickster archetype, using cunning and deception to achieve its goals.

Cosmic Order and Chaos: The story addresses the disruption and restoration of cosmic order, particularly through the crow’s actions in returning the sun to the sky, thereby restoring light to the world.

Conflict with Authority: The crow challenges the authority of the White Bear, who holds power over other animals and controls essential elements like the sun.

► From the same Region or People

Learn more about the Chipewyan people


The following story explains the reason for the ferocity of the white bear and why his habitat is different from others of his own species

Once upon a time there was a White Bear, and his nephew, Black Bear, was staying with him, with several other animals, including the fox. As the fox was always up to mischief, the white bear took away his right shoulder, and in consequence the former was very ill. White Bear took the fox’s shoulder, and tied it along with a bunch of claws which he always carried. Now fox being very sick, and not able to get along very well without his shoulder, sent for the crow, who was full of cunning, to devise some means of getting his shoulder back. After a long talk, the crow went to visit White Bear, who was very old and infirm and troubled with rheumatism. He was sitting at the fire, warming his back, when the crow came in, and the bunch of claws and the fox’s shoulder were hanging from the roof above his head. The crow began to talk to him, and occasionally he would touch the bunch of claws, and the white bear would wake up with a start, at which the crow would explain that he was only touching the claws to see what they were made of.

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At last White Bear took no notice of the noise, and soon was half asleep, and the crow, seeing his chance, caught hold of the fox’s shoulder, and pulled it off, and ran out of the camp. White Bear then woke up, and asked his nephew. Black Bear, what was the matter, and the latter, who stuttered, explained that the crow had run away with the fox’s shoulder. He took so long in telling it, that White Bear got angry, and told Black Bear to get out and find a home for himself. So ever since the white and black bears have lived apart.

White Bear, to show his rage, took down the sun and put it along with the claws. Now, as everything was in darkness, the other animals could not hunt, and were starving. So they applied to the crow to get them out of their new trouble. In the mean time White Bear’s daughter went for water, and as she was having a drink, something black was floating in the water, which she swallowed. Some days afterwards a child was born to her, and the infant grew so fast that soon he could walk about; and when he saw this bright thing hanging among the bunch of claws, he began to cry for it. After much persuasion White Bear gave it to him to play with in the camp. After a while he wished to play outside with it, but White Bear would not at first allow it. But as the child kept continually crying to be allowed to do so, he at last consented, but told him not to go far from the camp, and if he saw anybody coming, to run into the tepee at once. This the child promised to do, but as soon as he got out, he threw the sun up into the sky, and flew away, for he was the crow in still another disguise. When White Bear saw that he was cheated again by the crow, he was furious, and since then white bears have been always wicked.


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Marten-axe

Marten-axe, a remarkable man, frequently traveled among his friends and harbored a deep animosity toward the Cree people. On one journey, he encountered a group of Cree and, being fluent in all languages, deceived them by claiming to be a fellow Cree whose kin had been slain by the Chipewyan. Gaining their trust, he accompanied them to a mountaintop. During the night, as the Cree slept, Marten-axe tied their legs to a rock and rolled it down the mountain, killing them all.

Source: 
Chipewyan Tales
by Robert Harry Lowie
The American Museum of Natural History – Anthropological Papers
Volume X, Part 3
New York, 1912


► Themes of the story


Trickster: Marten-axe embodies the trickster archetype, using deception to achieve his goals.

Revenge and Justice: Marten-axe’s actions can be interpreted as a form of retribution against the Cree, whom he claims have wronged him.

Conflict with Authority: By deceiving and killing the Cree, Marten-axe challenges another group’s power and authority.

► From the same Region or People

Learn more about the Chipewyan people


Marten-axe was a wonderful man. He used to travel among his friends. Whenever he found Cree, he would always kill them. He was in the habit of staying with the Chipewyan. Once he started out to travel, and came to a band of Cree. He knew all languages. So he told the Cree that he was a Cree himself and that the Chipewyan had killed all his friends. He traveled with the Cree to the top of a high mountain, where he lay down. In the night, while the Cree were sleeping, he tied all their legs with a cord, to the same rock. Then he rolled the rock down the mountain, killing all the Cree.

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The Man in the Moon

A skilled beaver hunter produces a large amount of grease and forbids others from tasting it. One man disobeys, prompting the hunter to declare, “Henceforth you can look for me in the moon.” He then ascends to the moon, where he can be seen with his leggings down and his little dog on his lap.

Source: 
Chipewyan Tales
by Robert Harry Lowie
The American Museum of Natural History – Anthropological Papers
Volume X, Part 3
New York, 1912


► Themes of the story


Origin of Things: The tale provides an explanation for the lunar image, detailing how the figure of a man and his dog came to be seen on the moon.

Conflict with Authority: The hunter’s reaction to the community’s disrespect reflects a challenge to societal norms or leadership, highlighting tensions between individual actions and communal expectations.

Sacred Spaces: The moon becomes a significant location in the narrative, serving as the final abode of the hunter and his dog, and holding symbolic meaning within the tale.

► From the same Region or People

Learn more about the Chipewyan people


In another version the final statement is to the effect that one can see the kettle with beaver grease and the little dog.

Once there was a great beaver hunter. Returning from the chase one day, he made a lot of grease and forbade the people to touch it. Nevertheless, one man put his finger in, and tasted of the fat while the hunter was pulling down his leggings. When the beaver hunter noticed what had occurred, he was furious. He went outside, followed by his little dog, and announced to the people, “Henceforth you can look for me in the moon.” That is where one can see him, with his leggings down and a little dog sitting on his lap.

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Running and expanding this site requires resources: from maintaining our digital platform to sourcing and curating new content. With your help, we can grow our collection, improve accessibility, and bring these incredible narratives to an even wider audience. Your sponsorship enables us to keep the world’s stories alive and thriving. ♦ Visit our Support page

Betsune-Yenecan

An old woman discovers a tiny, talking baby in the forest and raises him. When hunters deny the child a specific deer part, he vows to make them starve. He ensures his uncles’ prosperity while others face scarcity. Guiding his grandmother, he provides abundant food through his unique abilities, showcasing themes of respect and the consequences of underestimating others.

Source: 
Chipewyan Tales
by Robert Harry Lowie
The American Museum of Natural History – Anthropological Papers
Volume X, Part 3
New York, 1912


► Themes of the story


Conflict with Authority: Betsune-Yenecan faces disrespect from the hunters, leading him to assert his power and teach them a lesson, reflecting a challenge to established authority.

Sacred Objects: The use of hooks and other items in the story may hold symbolic significance, representing tools that bridge the natural and supernatural realms.

Moral Lessons: The narrative imparts lessons on respect and the consequences of underestimating others, emphasizing the importance of humility and reverence for all beings.

► From the same Region or People

Learn more about the Chipewyan people


The meaning of the name is “His-grandmother-raised-him”

Many Indians were camping together. One evening they heard a little baby crying in the brush. A number of young girls ran thither, but as they approached the noise ceased. Not long after, the crying was heard again. This occurred three times. The fourth time an old woman went to see what was the matter. Again she heard the sound as if it came from directly in front of her. She found some deer dung. Scratching it up, she found a baby about eight inches long. She picked it up, and it began speaking to her. The old woman had sons who had gone off hunting. When they returned, the baby asked one of them for the front leg of the smallest deer slain by them. It was given to him, and he fed on that. Another time they killed plenty of deer. Betsune-yenecan again requested his grandmother to ask for the leg of the smallest deer, but the men refused, saying they wanted it for their own children, and offered him some other part.

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When the old woman returned without the leg, Betsune-yenecan was very angry. “Because I am small they insult me, but I will make them starve.” The other people heard what he said and were angry. They said, “We’ll see whether the little boy can make us starve.” They went away. The grandmother stayed with the child.

Betsune-yenecan told the old woman to cut plenty of pine branches, to put the ends in the fireplace of each abandoned lodge, and to let him know as soon as the tips of the sticks were burnt. After a while she called him. In his uncles’ lodges the sticks were burnt in deer hoof shape, in the other lodges they were burnt round (?). “This means that my uncles will always have deer, while the other people will starve.” He started off with his grandmother, who was afraid of starving. Betsune-yenecan said to her. “There need be no fear of starvation, just do as I tell you.” She carried him on her back. They got to a muddy little lake. “Stop and fish here,” he said. “Why, there is nothing here but worms.” “Take me down and I’ll drop my hooks.” Some animal with a white covering came to the hook. It was a gigantic jackfish. Then Betsune-yenecan told her to lower the hook, and she caught a black trout. “That’s enough,” said the boy, “there won’t be any more now. Build a brush lodge here, dry the fish, make grease, and we’ll camp here.” The old woman did as she was bidden. Betsune-yenecan went out. She thought he was only playing, but at noon he was not yet back. She saw his snowshoe tracks leading to the brush. Then she began to bemoan his loss and was afraid that all alone she should starve. But in the evening she heard a noise, and he came in covered with ice. “I think, you have fallen into the ice.” “No, take off my belt.” Inside his coat there were plenty of deer tongue tips. He had killed the deer by biting off the tips of their tongues, and what seemed to be ice on him was only the foam from their mouths. The next morning he said, “Let us go where I have killed the deer. The first one we see you will dry and pound for me; gather the grease but don’t eat any yourself.” It was a little bit of a deer, which was lying on the lake. Betsune-yenecan bade his grandmother build a shelter. She dried the deer meat, of which they had plenty.

Then the boy went to see his uncles. He got to where they were, but concealed himself. By a lake he saw their hooks set for jackfish. He took off his snowshoes, turned himself into a deer, and scratched around near the hooks. Only his two uncles were alive, subsisting on fish and bear meat; the other Indians had perished. They noticed the deer. “It is odd that that little deer is continually scratching around where our hooks are.” Then one of them said, “That was a queer boy that our mother found; perhaps he is a medicine-man and has turned into a deer to laugh at us. We had better track him.” They got to a clump of pines; there the deer tracks ceased, and snowshoe tracks began. The men followed them until they got to a lake, where they saw a spruce tree lodge. They found their mother having plenty of meat and fat. The little fellow was there, so small that he could hardly be seen. After the arrival of her sons, the old woman soon fell sick and died. The boy turned into a deer again and disappeared towards the Barren Grounds. Before leaving he said, “As long as you and your children live, you will always tell a tale about me.”


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