Two Old Women: An Alaska Legend of Betrayal, Courage and Survival Hardcover – March 1, 2004

Great story of resilience and to have value in all humans.

I admire those who follow the history of their ancestors, and, especially, pass down legends, stories to encourage the youth of specific cultures. After reading The Legend of Two Old Women, I wanted to learn about their present lives, so I found several videos that I enjoyed, and am sharing for your possible interest as well....on my blog...Velma Wallis, an Alaskan writer from the Athabascan people, has been writing the legends handed by her ancestors and has received wide attention. I was honored to learn of her heritage...and, as an older woman, not yet as old as the Two Old Women, I gained a new perspective--perhaps, even hope, as I read their stories.Is the legend totally true? To me it is irrelevant. It is clear that whoever the first woman or women who shared their story, wanted to make sure that change in custom needed to be made... just as some authors now write to bring about change in today's world.The Athabasca people were nomadic, moving as the weather changed, trying to keep alive by going where basic needs could be met. But some winters became so bad that death came on the winds, pushing the group to pick up and move again.The two old women were old, but they still provided for The People by tanning animal skins in trade for support by others. But the arrangements for the two women slowed the others down. Even the daughter of one of them had voted to leave them. Custom had been established, still the daughter and grandson were devastated they had to choose and the mother was heartbroken at their betrayal. Of course, both women felt they were providing support and should have been allowed to continue...This is the story of those two elders, as they watched The People walk away, leaving them with minimal support, assuming they would die soon...The book has small drawings to complement the story, while the writing is lyrically presented as gifted natural storytellers present. This is a book of despair, but courage that can only be found when a human is forced to deal with the reality that exists at any given time.Most of us will never know or comprehend this type of suffering and hunger, and fear as death walks behind, waiting. Yet, the stark reality of many of our ancestors shows us what we can really do if it is demanded. Even today, as we no longer fear the dangers historically faced, many of our elders, our older generation fear of hunger, fear of lack of medical support, homelessness...still exists!Two Old Women is recognition of the strength of women, in particular. We are able to recognize and learn from the legends of former women, and men, who have worked to learn from the past and establish what will be our present and future. It is important to remember the past, see what happened, and move on from there..."if we are going to die anyway, let us die trying!"Don't pass up this opportunity to read about Two Old Women... Highly recommended...GABixlerReviews

I enjoy reading family folk lore. This is a story written about a family story handed down through generations. It is a quick read but heartwarming.

Just as described

Bought this book for class and I actually like the story. Quality wasn't the best but it wasn't bad either.

First purchased on a trip to Denali at the bookstore in the park. It's a gem of a little book with a great message about resilience, in the case aging women. I've given it as a gift a few times. A message to be read again.

This is a good read for both young people and older people. The younger people can learn from the older generation. They would be saved a lot of problems if they would do so. Unfortunately the young think they know everything. I know I did when I was eighteen.

I like that the people in control was reluctant to leave the two women alone but they were concerned with survival of the fittest. I like that the fittest turned out to be the two women because they turned out to have the skill and resourcefulness to survive. Also, they survived so well that they were able to help their people when they returned. I understood the fear of the daughter and I love the bravery of the grandson who left something to help his grandmother survive. As a mother I would be more fearful for my child then for my mother. Deep down at some level I would believe my mother was strong enough to survive because she raised me and life was not all that easy. Mother handled everything successfully.I would recommend this book to teenagers all the way up to people beyond my age of 80 plus.I gave this story five stars because it addressed an issue that is dear to my heart. People need to know that old people are full of wisdom and skills that are almost unbelievable. The author showed skillfully that older people should not be written off.

As I get older I become more aware of how ageist our society is. This book is a retelling of an old folktale about how during a harsh winter, a tribe abandoned two old women knowing they would surely die. Filled with resentment and sadness the women decided that if they were going to die they would rather die trying to survive. What follows is an extraordinary story of empowerment and inner strength in the face of adversity. But this little book tell much more than a simple story. It exposes how undervalued older people are and also how accepting we are of the roles that society imposes on us as we travel through life. A fantastic read.

An interesting depiction of tribal life. Portrays aging and the value society places on older people. A story about friendship and overcoming a challenging environment. Short but well written.

Bought this for my elderly grandmother! She loved it, I loved it. This book itself is beautiful, the cover and illustrations, even the font itself, but the writing and the story is lyrical and just stunning. It's a wonderful story of courage, bravery, survival, resistance and hope. It's a story of great wrongs but also redemption. It would be fascinating and beautiful regardless of setting, but equally this story cannot be taken out of its setting, and it couldn't exist without it either. For someone like me, who knows nothing of Alaskan history, Alaskan cultures or Alaskan legends, this book gave an amazing glimpse, made all the better by the fact that it was written by someone who was part of the culture and therefore could perhaps write of her ancestors' worlds so vividly. The main characters are feisty sometimes, fatalistic in others, and in that, I feel they're wholly realistic.

Lovely emotive little story. Ime looking forward to reading Bird Girl now !

magic short story about 2 inuit indian women who succesfully fend for themselves to stay alive - beautiful!Regards, Marijke