Courage and Survival, An Alaska Legend of Betrayal

This is a terrific book that can actually inspire you about the prospect of getting older! I first read it as a reading assignment in a college class about NW authors nine years ago. I then took it on a family vacation to lend to my septuagenarian mother, and my teen-aged nephew picked it up and finished it during the vacation. My mother subsequently lent it to her siblings and friends after enjoying it herself. Although it's a legend, it's a somewhat believable story and very uplifting and inspiring. I have also listened to and enjoyed the audio version, read by a male narrator and an older female for the dialog. My mother is involved in choosing the books for her book club in her care facility and she and her fellow members will be reading and discussing this book soon. A very enjoyable read.

"Two Old Women" reads as a spoken story. Indeed, this is how author Velma Wallis explains this legendary tale was passed down to her by her mother.

Written as a short novel, it would be wonderful to have heard this tale told as a spoken story on a dark winter night by the dim light of a campfire.

The Gwich'in People are an interior, semi-nomadic tribe of Athabaskan affiliation whose territory is the northeast quadrant of Alaska and the northwest quadrant of the Yukon Territory. As an interior people, they follow the seasons, taking advantage of the salmon runs and the caribou migrations. The center of their home territory is the Porcupine River Valley with thousands of years of dependence upon the Porcupine Herd caribou migration.

Historically, the Gwich'in would never stay too long in a single place. This could result in overexploitation of the available game: moose, caribou, rabbits, ptarmigans and squirrels. Instead, they would pack up and move on to other parts of their territory.

"Two Old Women" hearkens to Indian legend when at times of stress, elders of a tribe would be abandoned to their own devices when it seemed apparent they could no longer travel and keep up with the group.

Although an Indian story, "Two Old Women" is not unlike an "Aesop's Fable." There is a twist with an object lesson. The wisdom and experience of the two old women lead to a surprise ending which I will not give away. One can imagine this very thing happening which gives this tale a strong feeling of authenticity.

Thank You for sharing this wonderful story! These two women are the poster images for all of us "Seniors" to never submit to defeat. I honestly could not stop reading and finished in one night. A great read!

Two old women are left to die when their starving Alaskan tribe is forced to search for game elsewhere during a particularly bad winter. Instead, the women rally and, using old, nearly forgotten skills, manage to survive and thrive, eventually saving their tribe. A beautiful legend.

If you are struggling with life, you must read this book - especially if you are a woman having a difficult time. These two old ladies survived the winter after their tribe tossed them out, and ultimately, the tribe had to seek help from THEM. This is another of my very favorite books, and I re-read it when I need inspiration and the strength to continue.

First introduced to this story as recording. Bought copy for my thoughtful friend, who is selecting it as her book club presentation. Especially relevant on the subject of viewing old people and old people viewing themselves.

This is a must read. I have recommended this book and retold the story too many people. If you're looking for a great book for an afternoon at the beach or just a lazy day! I got this new copy for a friend as a hostess gift.

Two Old Women was well-written and showcased the wisdom of people with experience and age. In my estimation, the leader of the tribe was a weak and disappointing and deserved to be embarrassed by these two strong women.

This book portrays lessons in life for everyone. Young and old people can benefit from the circumstances it presents because the decisions made in this book can be applied to current life situations.People who have values and genuine love for family members have opportunities for discussion and family making decisions from reading this book which can affect your mental state of thinking for a life time of contentment or self-despair.The book also gives you insight into the value and worth of aging adults and their productiveness to themselves, family and society members. It is an eye awakening journey to the value of inner self worth.

Two Old Women was well-written and showcased the wisdom of people with experience and age. In my estimation, the leader of the tribe was a weak and disappointing and deserved to be embarrassed by these two strong women.

This book portrays lessons in life for everyone. Young and old people can benefit from the circumstances it presents because the decisions made in this book can be applied to current life situations.People who have values and genuine love for family members have opportunities for discussion and family making decisions from reading this book which can affect your mental state of thinking for a life time of contentment or self-despair.The book also gives you insight into the value and worth of aging adults and their productiveness to themselves, family and society members. It is an eye awakening journey to the value of inner self worth.

It's a stirring old Athabascan Indian tale. In the midst of a famine, the tribe regretfully decides they must leave behind those who are a burden for the tribe so that the tribe as a whole can be saved. Two old women are forced to remain behind while the tribe moves to hopefully better hunting grounds. They know this is a virtual death sentence for the two women, but they feel they have no choice or they will all die.

It is not a political book but mirrors what happens with welfare as opposed to those who take responsibility for themselves and learn the self-esteem that comes as a result. These two old women were content to let others care for them and acted helpless while constantly complaining about their comfort levels, so the tribe came to believe that they were indeed a burden to the tribe that they could no longer support.

The two old women, after their initial shock, decided they would not just passively wait to die but to do what they could to survive. They learned new survival skills and honed long-disused skills to keep themselves alive, and in the process, they learned self-esteem and independence, one day at a time.

When the tribe came back in the spring, sadly expecting to find them dead, they were awed and thrilled to find the two old women proudly waiting for them, alive and in better shape than the rest of the tribe. They earned new respect, both from the tribe and for themselves, and a permanent sense of independence.

The story is very touching and profound at a very simple level...one of my favorite books. I've bought several copies to give away as gifts. It's a testament to the human spirit and what it can do. No one knows if it is a true story or not, but the spiritual truths are obvious.

The author states: "Within each individual on this large and complicated world, there lives an astounding potential greatness." The book demonstrates this truth beautifully. Thanks, Velma!

Lovely story, although I think it should target the middle school reader. However, there's a lesson to be had, namely, the importance of old people within a community and their experience, wisdom and ability to teach.

This books has been around for a while. Glimpse into how it may have been years past living in a tribal group. The rules are rules, so what would you do if you were young and you loved your elders but had to leave them behind?

I read this amazing tale in one sitting, enthralled, captivated, and inspired. Although I bought the Kindle version I intend to buy the book to share with others, including my grandchildren. Many life lessons are contained within this beautiful story, passed down through generations.

This is in the tradition of "Daughters of Copper Woman", being an approved by the elders telling of their tribal folk history/tales. It's a teaching story about growing into elderhood as well as for the younger folks' learning to respect and admire elders.

This is an excellent story that should be read to Grandchildren , as well as, everyone could benefit by reading it . It was meaningful to me because it was an Indian Legend & I have spent time in Alaska . It made one see how human nature as well as, different ages react to the ages & decades we all live through ....I highly recommend this book .

Loved Velma Wallis's book! Perfectly written. Had me cheering for the Two Old Woman right from the start. Quick read, and one that you will want to read over again. Even my son enjoyed reading it!

Having lived in Alaska and worked in the Arctic I could visualize this story as if it were a video in my mind. Great story about survival (and forgiveness) of "Two Old Women" who were kicked out of a tribe with the thought that it'd be two less mouths to feed and that they couldn't contribute much to the tribe because they were old. A lot of trials and tribs during the book and ends up they feed the very people that kicked them out. I wish they'd make this a movie!

this book is so good, i ordered extras….velma wallis is a great storyteller, and her language is a perfect fit for this type of old story.simlpe and yet eloquent. i hope she can do many more. my friends all love this special book.

I really enjoyed reading this story and how these two women had such determination and drive to survive. It is a very inspiring book. I could have read more about them. I think the story was very complete as it was written.

Velma Wallis tells a fine story in a straightforward, simple manner. This method is gut-wrenching and heart-warming. I paid the same interested attention to Two Old Women as I did to stories told to me as a girl by my much-beloved grandmother. Ms Wallis has a voice that merits our attention and appreciation.

Great story about growing older and taking care of oneself and being independent and no turning our lives over to other. It is easy as we grow older sometimes to turn our care over to others even though we are really capable of taking care of ourselves.

Easy, short read about Alaskan Indians and 2 old Women who found they were not too old to survive on their own after being left behind because of lack of food. It is also a story of forgiveness, repentance and love. Nice, uplifting story written by one of the descendants of the tribe.