Talking at the Woodpile Read Online Free PDF Page A

Yugunvaq had been laughing, and people lined up to see the cub’s pinhole scars. Those who were far-sighted looked closely and burst into laughter; some buried their heads in his chest until they composed themselves. Suyuk and Malak didn’t ask to see the pinholes and discouraged others from asking. “If you want to hear a real hunting story, come and see us. We have many good ones to tell, better than this.” Angunatchiuk took all this in stride and was glad his experience had brought so much mirth to his family and friends. The story of Angunatchiuk and the bear would be told far and wide, long after he finished his days on this earth.
    In the late summer Yugunvaq’s clan met with Angunatchiuk’s father and people—as they’d planned a year earlier—at a camp called Moosehide below the junction of the Thron-diukic and Yuqana rivers. It was called Moosehide because from a distance the many tents covering the ground looked like one big moosehide. Every year the two groups met there to hunt and fish; then they would dry the meat and salmon on long lines of elevated racks. Everyone looked forward to this meeting. Eligible men and women of marrying age were particularly excited.
    Camp was set up on the east bank of the Yuqana. When the Tetlit arrived, the Tukudh were preparing willow baskets to catch fish. They greeted one another with hugs and handshakes. Families were together again. Parents greeted sons, and grandchildren were proudly shown off. Old friends found each other, and old rivalries were re-established with a glance and silence. Drummers took the skin wrappings from their painted drums, warmed them over a fire and welcomed each other with song and dance. People made speeches of greeting, said prayers, composed songs and sang them on the spot. Storytelling began, and Angunatchiuk’s story claimed the greatest interest. Once again he endured the examination of his scars and more uncontrollable laughter.
    The young people eyed each other. The girls walked in groups, clinging to one another for support, laughing and holding their hands over their faces. The boys stood with their chests expanding a little farther than usual.
    Their parents discussed arrangements; some decisions had been made years ago when the youths were children. Applause from the tent signalled final agreements. Most knew of the selection beforehand, and most were agreeable. One young woman stomped her feet, wept and refused. A refusal would be tolerated, but there were only so many potential spouses, and the elders had done their best.
    Malak’s new wife’s parents were bribed with gifts provided by Suyuk, who later berated his son for costing him so much and being such an embarrassment. “If you had cleaned yourself up and been more presentable, we could have chosen better for less.” Malak’s new wife overheard this and cried to her parents. The daughter had been a problem to her mother and father, so they told Malak and Suyuk, “She is your concern now.” People laughed behind their hands, asking, “Who got the better of that marriage?”
    A party gathered to hunt the Thron-diukic River valley. It was a good place to hunt; the hunters would raft game down the creek to the Thron-diukic, then to the Yuqana and downriver to camp. Yugunvaq, Angunatchiuk, Suyuk, Malak, Ukuk, Manikaaq and Iqilan met early one morning by the riverbank.
    The brothers Ukuk, Manikaaq and Iqilan were full of merriment. Ukuk was a great storyteller, and his brothers’ job in life was to further embellish any story he told. If a large salmon swallowed a fisherman, then it became ten salmon that swallowed ten fishermen; if a man was born from an eagle’s egg, the story became a mountain goat born from an eagle’s egg. The brothers were comedians and well-liked; people always sought their company.
    The hunters hiked the short distance up the Thron-diukic and rafted over to Rabbit Creek. The