Two Old Women

Introduction-Chapter 2

Reading Check

1. By the Porcupine River (Introduction)

2. A hatchet (Chapter 1)

3. A bundle of babiche (Chapter 1)

4. A rabbit (Chapter 2)

5. The Chief (Chapter 2)

Short Answer

1. Ozhii Nelii is afraid that if she intervenes, she and her son will suffer the same fate as her mother and be kicked out of the tribe. (Chapter 1)

2. They are nomadic, constantly at the brink of starvation, and must survive harsh winters in Alaska.

3. They feel that if they had worked hard enough, they would not have been considered of little value to the tribe. (Chapter 2)

Chapters 3-4

Reading Check

1. Snowshoes (Chapter 3)

2. Caribou skins (Chapter 3)

3. A snow pit (Chapter 3)

4. Cannibals (Chapter 4)

Short Answer

1. Sa’ is a fighter and has a strong will to live. Ch’idzigyaak gives up easily and often feels as though she would rather die than press on. (Various chapters)

2. Before they were abandoned, they were neighbors but not good friends. (Chapter 4)

3. Her grandmother was blind, and the Chief made the decision to leave her behind. She said the men in the camp stood up for the grandmother, but no one would listen to them. The men went back and killed the grandmother so she would not have to suffer. (Chapter 4)

4. Sa’ broke typical gender stereotypes by hanging out with her brother and standing up for the abandoned elderly. (Chapter 4)

Chapters 5-6

Reading Check

1. Muskrats (Chapter 5)

2. Birchbark is missing. (Chapter 5)

3. Muskrat Grease and heavy clothing (Chapter 5)

4. Baskets (Chapter 5)

Short Answer

1. The women are worried another tribe will discover them and kill them for their food supply. (Chapter 5)

2. The Chief felt bad for abandoning the women, but he is glad he resisted letting his emotions determine his decision because they could not have sustained the women. (Chapter 6)

3. He believes the Chief will find relief from his guilty conscience. (Chapter 6)

4. They have an abundance and are able to rest before winter. (Chapter 5)

Chapters 7-8

Reading Check

1. Dried fish and boiled rabbit broth (Chapter 7)

2. Food and handwoven garments (Chapter 8)

3. Visitors (Chapter 8)

4. His hatchet (Chapter 8)

Short Answer

1. They are afraid and wary of him. (Chapter 7)

2. They promise to lay down their lives rather than let the Chief make the same decision. (Chapter 7)

3. Sa’ points out the tribe is starving, including Ch’idzigyaak’s grandson and daughter. (Chapter 7)