The Missing Caribou Hide: Traditional Tllicho Stories and Legends - Paperback

by Wendy Stephenson (Author), Cecilia Judas (Author), Madeline Judas (Author)

The Missing Caribou Hide is a story that passes through the years in Tlı̨chǫ history. It tells of times when people lived a simpler life built around the fur trade, hard work and helping one another.

Back Jacket

The Missing Caribou Hide is a story that passes through the years in Tlicho history. It tells of times when people lived a simpler life built around the fur trade, hard work and helping one another. It tells of times when relationships with animals and our environment were stronger than they are today. In this story, a young girl who lives with her grandmother, wishes to own a sled so that she can go sliding like the other children in her community. However, her grandmother needs her to help with chores around the home. The young girl has developed a friendship with Tatso (Raven), Ihk'aa (Canada Jay), Nomba (Weasel) and Nooge (Fox). Because of her kindness, the four animal friends decide to help her out. Included in this book is the use of Tlicho language as well as Tlicho legends told about these animals from the traditional stories of community elders. It has been edited and translated by the community members themselves.

Author Biography

Wendy has travelled on the land and lived in various Tlı̨chǫ communities over the past forty years. She is very honoured to share a friendship with members of the Judas family who helped to write this story. Wendy has written several other children's books. She lives in Yellowknife. Cecilia (Ceci) is a Tlicho woman (daughter of Madeline and Joseph) who was raised in Wekweètı̀. Currently Cecilia is a teacher at the Alexis Arrowmaker school in Wekweètı̀. Cecilia is proud of and committed to passing on skills in her language and culture to her students. Cecilia and her spouse Clarence have three children. Cecilia was key in ensuring that Tlicho language and stories be included in this book. Madeline is a Tlicho woman born in Behchokǫ̀, NT and is the daughter of Alexis and Elizabeth Arrowmaker. From the age of seven, Madeline and her family travelled the trails between Behchokǫ̀ and Wekweètı̀. She has lived in Wekweètı̀ since 1963. Madeline and her husband Joseph have raised a family of nine children. They are very proud of their Tlicho culture and way of life and have passed on their language, skills and stories to Cecilia and the other members of her family.