Two Old Women, [Anniversary Edition]: An Alaska Legend of Betrayal, Courage and Survival

By Velma Wallis

"No one should miss this beautiful legend." —Tony Hillerman

Velma Wallis’s award-winning, bestselling tale about two elderly Native American women who must fend for themselves during a harsh Alaskan winter

Based on an Athabascan Indian legend passed along for many generations from mothers to daughters of the upper Yukon River Valley in Alaska, this is the suspenseful, shocking, ultimately inspirational tale of two old women abandoned by their tribe during a brutal winter famine.

Though these women have been known to complain more than contribute, they now must either survive on their own or die trying. In simple but vivid detail, Wallis depicts a landscape and way of life that are at once merciless and starkly beautiful. In her old women, she has created two heroines of steely determination whose story of betrayal, friendship, community, and forgiveness "speaks straight to the heart with clarity, sweetness, and wisdom" (Ursula K. Le Guin).

• Language: English
• Publisher: HarperCollins
• Release date: Nov 5, 2013
• ISBN: 9780062244994

Velma Wallis

Velma Wallis is one in a family of thirteen children, all born in the vast fur-trapping country of Fort Yukon, Alaska, and raised with traditional Athabascan values. A writer and avid reader, she lives in Fairbanks.

Book preview

DEDICATION

This book is dedicated to all of the elders whom I have known and who have made an impression in my mind with their wisdom, knowledge and uniqueness.

Mae P. Wallis, Mary Hardy, Dorothy Earls, Sarah Gottschalk, Ida Neyhart, Patricia Peters, Edison Peters, Helen Reed, Moses Peter, Martha Wallis, Louise Paul, Minnie Salmon, Lilly Herbert, David and Sarah Salmon, Samson and Minnie Peter, Herbert and Louise Peter, Stanley and Rosalie Joseph, Margaret John, Paul and Margaret Williams, Leah Roberts, Natalie Erick, Daniel Horace, Titus Peter, Solomon and Martha Flitt, Doris Ward, Amos Kelly, Margaret Kelly, Maggie Beach, Sarah Alexander, Peter and Nina (Ch’idzigyaak) Joseph, Paul and Agnes James, Mariah Collins, David Collins, Mary Thompson, Sophie Williams, Elijah John, Jemima Fields, Ike Fields Sr., Joe and Margaret Carroll, Myra Francis, Blanche Strom, Arthur and Annie James, Elliot and Lucy Johnson, Elliot and Virginia Johnson II,

Harry and Jessie Carroll, Margaret Cadzow, Henry and Jennie Williams, Issac and Sarah John, Charlotte Douthit, Ruth Martin, Randall Baalam, Harold and Ester Petersen, Vladimer and Nina Petersen, Addie Shewfelt, Stanley and Madeline Jonas, Jonathon and Hannah Solomon, Esau and Delia Williams, Margie Englishoe, Jessie Luke, Julia Peter, Jacob Flitt, Daniel and Nina Flitt, Clara Gundrum, Jessie Williams, Sarah W. John, Mary Simple, Ellen Henry, Silas John, Dan Frank, Maggie Roberts, Nina Roberts, Abraham and Annie Christian, Paul and Julia Tritt, Agnes Peter, Charlie Peter, Neil and Sarah Henry, Mardow Solomon, Ruth Peterson, Phillip and Abbie Peter,

Archie and Louise Juneby, Harry and Bessie David, Margaret Roberts, John Stevens, Steven and Sarah Henry, Abel Tritt, Moses and Jennie Sam, Mary John, Martha James, Alice Peter, Nathanial and Annie Frank, Fred and Charlotte Thomas, Richard and Eva Carroll, Elsie Pitka, Richard and Helen Martin, Paul Gabrial, Grafton Gabrial, Barbara Solomon, Sabastian McGinty, Simon and Bella Francis, Mary Jane Alexander, and Uncle Lee Henry.

CONTENTS

Dedication

Acknowledgments

Introduction

CHAPTER 1: Hunger and cold take their toll

CHAPTER 2: Let us die trying

CHAPTER 3: Recalling old skills

CHAPTER 4: A painful journey

MAP

CHAPTER 5: Saving a cache of fish

CHAPTER 6: Sadness among The People

CHAPTER 7: The stillness is broken

CHAPTER 8: A new beginning

About the Gwich’in People

About the Authors

Back Ad

Praise

Credits

Copyright

About the Publisher

ACKNOWLEDGMENTS

Most artists can say that if it were not for a number of people he or she would not have achieved a certain success. In the case of this story and myself, the list is long and varied and I would like to acknowledge them as follows.

First, thank you to my mother, Mae Wallis. Without you, this story would not be, and I never would have developed a desire to be a storyteller. All those many nights that you spent telling us stories are greatly appreciated.

I would like to thank these people for believing in this story all these years, and for reviving it just when I thought it would sink back into oblivion: Barry Wallis, Marti Ann Wallis, Patricia Stanley, and Carroll Hodge; Judy Erick from Venetie for her flexible assistance with the Gwich’in translations and Annette Seimens for letting me use her computer.

Last, I would like to thank Marilyn Savage for her generosity and persistent rallying. Thank you to the publishers, Kent Sturgis and Lael Morgan, for sharing the same vision as all of us. Thank you to Virigina Sims for making sure that the story remained the same with your editing, and to James Grant for making the characters come to life with your talented illustrations.

Mahsi Choo to each and all of you for sharing in this humble story.

INTRODUCTION

Each day after cutting wood we would sit and talk in our small tent on the bank at the mouth of the Porcupine River, near where it flows into the Yukon. We would always end with Mom telling me a story. (There I was, long past my youth, and my mother still told me bedtime stories!) One night it was a story I heard for the first time—a story about two old women and their journey through hardship.

What brought the story to mind was a conversation we had earlier while working side by side collecting wood for the winter. Now we sat on our bedrolls and marveled at how Mom in her early fifties still was able to do this kind of hard work while most people of her generation long since had resigned themselves to old age and all of its limitations. I told her I wanted to be like her when I became an elder.

We began to remember how it once was. My grandmother and all those other elders from the past kept themselves busy until they could no longer move or until they died. Mom felt proud that she was able to overcome some of the obstacles of old age and still could get her own winter wood despite the fact that physically, the work was difficult and sometimes agonizing. During our pondering and reflections, Mom remembered this particular story because it was appropriate to all that we thought and felt at that moment.

Later, at our winter cabin, I wrote the story down. I was impressed with it because it not only taught me a lesson that I could use in my life, but also because it was a story about my people and my past—something about me that I could grasp and call mine. Stories are gifts given by an elder to a younger person. Unfortunately, this gift is not given, nor received, as often today because many of our youth are occupied by television and the fast pace of modern-day living. Maybe tomorrow a few of today’s generation who were sensitive enough to have listened to their elders’ wisdom will have the traditional word-of-mouth stories living within their memory. Perhaps tomorrow’s generation also will yearn for stories such as this so that they may better understand their past, their people and, hopefully, themselves.

Sometimes, too, stories told about one culture by someone from another way of life are misinterpreted. This is tragic. Once set down on paper, some stories are readily accepted as history, yet they may not be truthful.

Reviews for Two Old Women, [Anniversary Edition]

[shayney · Rating: 5 out of 5 stars]

Two Old Women is so beautifully written and is about an Alaskan Legend that’s been past down from generation to generation. Velma Wallis does a fantastic job at bringing this story to life and explaining the importance of this story/legend that has been passed down to her. She states that people or families sitting down and listening to each other and their stories, is getting lost these days when they choose technology instead.

This has such a great message behind it and that’s what made me fall in love with it and what kept me hooked and reading this book. Highly recommend this book!

[Nickie · Rating: 5 out of 5 stars]

Great book! Extremely insightful, teaches one to find strength from within

[Judith Day · Rating: 5 out of 5 stars]

The story was so well written that the detailed account of the women's struggle for survival never became boring or mundane.

[Jimelle Salyers · Rating: 4 out of 5 stars]

A sweet story, told in the quiet, reverent tones of a fable. A nice read for a snowy evening.

[seintgatc · Rating: 5 out of 5 stars]

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[bentleysiefke6 · Rating: 1 out of 5 stars]

it was boring and made me sleep and want to burn it

[anni_townsend · Rating: 5 out of 5 stars]

A fine story that makes you wonder about your own strength and place in the world. Thoughtfully and well written. I'm going to find more books from this author.

[Jenny Pickens · Rating: 5 out of 5 stars]

This is a book that EVERYONE should read.....it is like water for a parched soul.

[Annette Adair · Rating: 5 out of 5 stars]

Simple, factual and awe inspiring. A tale of what people can do when faced with adversity and how despite circumstance, forgiveness and healing can happen. Loved it.

[grandpahobo · Rating: 4 out of 5 stars]

A beautiful story with a message about how the strength that comes from people supporting each other in spite of their fears and reluctance.

[mysterymax_1 · Rating: 5 out of 5 stars]

ust had my copy of Two Old Women by Velma Wallis returned! It has been passed from woman to woman in our library advocates group and I was beginning to wonder if I would ever see it again. For all of you wanting to read books by and about women - if you haven't had a chance to read this yet, you should.

Two old women in norther Alaska are abandoned by their tribe because of a food shortage. Instead of politely dying they choose to survive. A wonderful story.

[deltaqueen50 · Rating: 5 out of 5 stars]

The moving story of Two Old Women by Velma Wallis is a written version of an indigenous fable that the author learned from her mother when she was a girl. This is a simple story of two elderly women who, when the village is starving and weak, are left behind to die. They are devastated that their people think so little of them that they leave them stranded in the wilderness, but they also decide that they will survive.

They fall back on techniques and skills that they learned when young and not only survive but thrive so that when the next winter comes they are well prepared to sustain themselves through the barren months. Their people on the other hand are once again suffering and most regret leaving the two elderly women behind. When they have a chance to reunite what will happen? Will the elders forgive the abandonment and help their people or has the trust and love been broken forever.

A simple story told gracefully with powerful themes of friendship, dignity and human integrity shining through on every page. The author recounts the legend in vivid details that helps the reader to see the life of labour that is needed in order to live in such a hostile environment. A moving and comforting story that was a delight to read and imagine.

[cheryl_in_cc_nv · Rating: 4 out of 5 stars]

A classic novella. Deserves to be more widely read. An #OwnVoices fable. I think that it could be part of the curriculum for discussion, or at least on recommended reading lists in Jr. High/Middle School, even though it's marketed to, and rich enough, for adults.

[kakadoo202 · Rating: 3 out of 5 stars]

Wise legend from Alaska

[altheaann · Rating: 2 out of 5 stars]

This short novel is a retelling of a native Athabascan legend from before Western culture was known in Alaska. Two complaining, irritating old women are left behind by their tribal group when the group hits hard times, and all are facing starvation. However, rather than dying (as expected), the two women struggle to survive through the winter, learning strength, self-reliance and friendship along the way. Meanwhile, the tribal group does less well at surviving than the old women, and learns that they may have misjudged the two, and must come to re-evaluate their priorities.

[streamsong_1 · Rating: 4 out of 5 stars]

This is an old Athabaskan story. The Athabaskans are a native people living in the far north interior of Alaska, close to and above the Arctic Circle. A grandmother of the Gwich’in people of the Athabaskan tells it to her granddaughter.

With early fall snow, there was a time of great hunger and the band was having no luck in their hunting. The council decide to leave two elderly women behind although this was a heavy sorrow to many of the band, including the daughter and grandson of one of the women. The two elder women, Ch’idzigyaak and Sa are stunned by the decision which they had no part in making.

As the band of people leave, Ch’idzigyaak’s daughter sneaks her a bundle of thongs; her young grandson gives her a bone hatchet which he has made.

The old women cry as the band leaves. However, deep in their stunned sorrow, Ch’idzigyaak decides that if they must die, it is better to die trying. She and Sa fashion rabbit snares and then crude snowshoes. Slowly they remember their old skills and decide to try to make it to the site of a fish camp they remembered from better years.

It’s a story of perseverance, of not giving up even in the face of death. It’s a story of the elders’ wisdom gained by their years of experience. And ultimately, it’s a story of love.

At only 140 pages, it’s a very short book, but this native author knows how to pack much into few words. I’m eager to read more by her.

[carriewuj · Rating: 4 out of 5 stars]

Velma Wallis has written down an old Athabascan Indian legend about 2 old women left behind to die by their tribe. The telling of the tale is smooth and fast-paced --- the book is only about 100 pages long -- and she keeps the narration sparse and without embellishment, making it feel more authentic and true. The 2 women, (with unpronounceable names) determine to survive, "or die trying." Their determination is inspiring as is their physical strength, resourcefulness and ultimate devotion to each other. There are lessons here of endurance, respect for elders, forgiveness and redemption -- and lots to dicuss as a result.

[witchyrichy · Rating: 5 out of 5 stars]

A new friend loaned me Two Old Women, the story of two Native women left behind by their starving tribe as winter approached. The women, after getting over their shock and sadness, decide they don't have to die, and the rest of the small book describes their efforts to survive and even thrive. It is a cautionary tale of what happens when we neglect our elders and their learning.

[ilovemycat1 · Rating: 4 out of 5 stars]

A quick read. A story of two Athabaskan elderly women who were left behind by their tribal chief to die. A story of survival. Written by an Athabaskan woman.

[mrslee_1 · Rating: 3 out of 5 stars]

An engaging story; packed with details of how the native peoples survived the winters in the far north. It is nice to read a story with quite elderly women (75 & 80) as the heroes. The design and artwork of the book is very pleasant.

[nancynova · Rating: 4 out of 5 stars]

An Alaskan Athabascan Indian legend, when two old women are abandoned by The People during a winter famine. Their families leave two tools behind - a hatchet and babiche. Using the tools, and having their possessions, the two women moved toward a remembered fishing ground and survived. Eventually scouts from the tribe found them still alive and embraced them back. And the old women learned, it's best to contribute where you can and be positive.

[judithgonzalez · Rating: 4 out of 5 stars]

Good book. A very beautiful underlying message that makes you appreciate the wisdom of the elderly and why we should respect, listen to, and care for them as if they were going to live forever. I don't give it five stars because it is a short book, and I would have liked it to delve deeper into the characters and to have extended some scenes. Still, it is pleasant to read for those who are just starting to read. (Translated from Spanish)

[CrisRamiArte · Rating: 5 out of 5 stars]

A wonderful story of two elderly women who survive and teach life lessons.

It touches on themes such as self-confidence, the limits society imposes on us, self-improvement, survival, and forgiveness.

“…we can survive. We have proven it to ourselves. Now we must set aside our pride…”

“The story taught me that we should not limit our own capacity, especially not because of age, to fulfill our purpose in life. Within each individual, in this vast and complex world, an incredible potential for greatness beats. However, those hidden gifts rarely come to life, unless by a stroke of fate.”

A book that every person should read at least once in their life ?? (Translated from Spanish)

[NelsyLorena · Rating: 4 out of 5 stars]

It is a very beautiful story, it feels like it is told directly by wisdom. Definitely a book that reminds us of the power of will. (Translated from Spanish)

[Sekhmet · Rating: 4 out of 5 stars]

A short and beautiful story about overcoming difficulties, about kindness and forgiveness. (Translated from Spanish)

[krau0098 · Rating: 4 out of 5 stars]

I got this book from my mom (they are moving and wanted to get rid of some books). This was a surprisingly engaging novella/folk tale about two old women who are abandoned by their tribe during a particularly tough winter.

Both the tribe and the old women end up learning a lot about their limits and what is important to them as a result of this abandonment. It was a quick read and a good story. I found myself surprisingly sucked into the tale. I enjoyed the survival elements and hearing about people of that time and how they survived in such harsh conditions.

The writing style is very stark and simple (normally not my favorite style of writing to read) but it matched the style of the tale well.

Overall a well done folktale that I enjoyed reading. I would recommend if you are interested in tribal Alaska, survival, or the process of aging.

[honeysucklepie · Rating: 5 out of 5 stars]

Alhamdulillah, I picked this up at the right time. I felt guilty for it sitting on my shelf for so long, but really it was waiting for this time. My own decrepitude, whining, and recent knee injury has made me feel like my time is over, that's it, I'm old, ain't going to get better. The story of these women, abandoned, in their old age by their people during hungry times gives me courage. They survived! They challenged their bodies and drew upon their skills and knowledge, that lay dormant when they were with their tribe, as grumpy complacent elders. This book made my heart ache, but it also made me proud of them, and of their tribe (in the end).

[mochimama · Rating: 5 out of 5 stars]

Alhamdulillah, I picked this up at the right time. I felt guilty for it sitting on my shelf for so long, but really it was waiting for this time. My own decrepitude, whining, and recent knee injury has made me feel like my time is over, that's it, I'm old, ain't going to get better. The story of these women, abandoned, in their old age by their people during hungry times gives me courage. They survived! They challenged their bodies and drew upon their skills and knowledge, that lay dormant when they were with their tribe, as grumpy complacent elders. This book made my heart ache, but it also made me proud of them, and of their tribe (in the end).

[julia1955 · Rating: 5 out of 5 stars]

Two elderly women are abandoned in a place in Alaska by their village. They feel fragile and vulnerable, but they have to fight to survive. After surviving for a year, they find themselves at the beginning of another harsh winter with enough supplies. It is at that moment that they are discovered by their former companions. Will they share their provisions with them? Will they forgive them? (Translated from Spanish)

[Jose Mariano H · Rating: 5 out of 5 stars]

A beautiful story told in a simple way. Two elderly women are abandoned in a harsh winter in Alaska; they must survive by fighting with practically nothing, making endless sacrifices. (Translated from Spanish)