Two Old Women facts for kids
First edition
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| Author | Velma Wallis |
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| Country | United States |
| Language | English |
| Genre | novel |
| Publisher | Epicenter Press, Fairbanks/Seattle |
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Publication date
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1993 |
| ISBN | 978-0-7043-4424-2 |
| Followed by | Bird Girl and the Man Who Followed the Sun (1996) |
Two Old Women: An Alaskan Legend Of Betrayal, Courage And Survival is a book written by Velma Wallis in 1993. It tells a powerful story set in the cold, wild lands of northeastern Alaska. The book is about two elderly women who are left behind by their tribe and must find the strength to survive on their own.
Contents
What is the Story About?
Life in Ancient Alaska
Long ago, before Europeans arrived, nomads lived in the polar region of Alaska. These groups, like the Gwich'in people, were part of the Athabaskan tribes. They constantly moved to find food, following animals like moose and caribou. Their lands included areas around the Yukon River, Porcupine River, and Tanana River.
A Difficult Decision
One winter, food became very scarce for a Gwich'in group. The weather was getting much colder. Because of the lack of food, the tribe made a very hard decision. They decided to leave two old women behind in the snowy wilderness. This was a tough choice, but they felt it was necessary for the survival of the rest of the group.
Left Behind: Sa' and Ch'idzigyaak
The two women were 75-year-old Sa' and 80-year-old Ch'idzigyaak. They were shocked and scared when the leader announced the decision. They sat silently in the snow, unsure what to do. Before the tribe left, Ch'idzigyaak's daughter gave them a piece of untanned moose skin, called babiche. Ch'idzigyaak's grandson also secretly hid his bone hatchet for them. This hatchet was a symbol of his manhood.
Surviving in the Wild
Left alone, the two women first felt hopeless. But then they decided it was better to try to survive than to just give up. Sa' managed to kill a squirrel using the hatchet. They boiled the meat and drank the warm broth. This gave them a little strength.
They then set traps for rabbits. In the middle of the night, they heard noises and found two rabbits in their traps! With some food, they decided to move to a better hunting area. They made snowshoes to cross the deep snow.
Journey to the River
Eventually, they reached a river where their tribe used to fish in warmer seasons. During their journey, which lasted several days, they dug snow shelters each night. They also saved embers from their campfires. This way, they could start a new fire easily the next morning. The fire never went out, keeping them warm. In the mornings, they often complained about their joint pains, but they kept going.
They finally reached the familiar river and set up a winter camp. They built up a large supply of food. They caught and smoked muskrats and beavers. In the summer, they caught and dried many fish. They hid their camp from other tribes, fearing they might be dangerous.
The Tribe Returns
The next winter, the tribe returned to the area. The leader realized the two women must have survived because there were no signs of them. The tribe was starving after a difficult winter with little hunting success. The leader believed that if they found the women, it could give the tribe new hope.
He sent Daagoo, a skilled tracker, and a few young warriors to find them. The group was weak, but Daagoo soon smelled smoke. They tracked it down and found the women's camp.
A New Beginning
At first, Sa' and Ch'idzigyaak did not trust the small group. But Daagoo promised them peace. The two women hesitated for a long time. They had been left to die, so their mistrust was deep. However, they eventually sensed that Daagoo was honest. They also realized how lonely they had been, missing their home tribe.
Their hearts softened, and they agreed to help. The two old women shared their food with their own people. Ch'idzigyaak's grandson visited them often. Her daughter, who was ashamed, took longer to visit. But eventually, the daughter also came to see her mother.
From that day on, the Gwich'in people never left their elders behind again. They learned a valuable lesson about courage, survival, and community.
Awards and Recognition
- Winner, Western States Book Award, Creative nonfiction, 1993
