Deep within the rich tapestry of Native American folklore, particularly among the Blackfeet Nation, lies the captivating tale of the Wolf Man. This ancient legend speaks of betrayal, survival, and a profound bond forged between a man and the wild, embodying timeless lessons about community, justice, and the unexpected kindness found in nature. The story of the Wolf Man offers a unique glimpse into the spiritual and moral landscape of the plains tribes.
The Hunter and His Disloyal Wives
Long ago, a skilled hunter lived with his two wives, whose domestic neglect and constant absence from their lodge caused him great frustration. Despite his efforts to provide an abundance of buffalo hides, they failed to properly tan them, and he often returned from long hunts to an empty lodge and no food. The wives preferred to spend their days visiting relatives, leaving their home and husband unattended and uncared for.
Seeking to instill a sense of responsibility and improve their conduct, the man decided to move his family away from the bustling main camp. He relocated their lodge to a secluded spot on the vast prairie, at the foot of a prominent butte. He hoped that this isolation, free from the distractions of the larger community, would encourage his wives to become more attentive and diligent homemakers. Each evening, as the sun dipped below the horizon, the man would ascend this butte, surveying the land for buffalo herds and potential enemies from his perch on a weathered buffalo skull.
A Sinister Conspiracy Unfolds
Despite their husband’s attempts to foster a more harmonious home life, the wives found their new secluded existence unbearable. They complained bitterly about the solitude, yearning for the lively company of their relatives. One day, a sinister thought took root. One wife, driven by boredom and malice, proposed a horrifying solution to the other: “Let us kill our husband,” she suggested, “then we can return to our relations and enjoy ourselves once more.”
The very next morning, as soon as their unsuspecting husband departed for his hunt, the two women set their deadly plan into motion. They ascended the butte, precisely to the spot where their husband observed the plains. There, they meticulously dug a deep, concealed pit, carefully covering it with fragile sticks, dry grass, and a layer of earth to perfectly mimic the surrounding terrain. To complete their deception, they repositioned the familiar buffalo skull directly over the hidden trap, awaiting their husband’s return.
Betrayal on the Butte
In the late afternoon, the wives watched from their lodge as their husband appeared on the horizon, heavily laden with the spoils of his successful hunt. He dutifully dropped his substantial load of meat outside their dwelling, and they, feigning concern, busied themselves preparing his meal. After he had eaten, adhering to his daily ritual, the man climbed the butte to his lookout point. Unsuspectingly, he settled onto the buffalo skull, which lay precariously over the concealed pit.
With a sudden crack, the flimsy sticks beneath him gave way, and he plummeted into the deep, dark hole. His wives, who had been secretly observing, immediately sprang into action. Without a hint of remorse, they quickly dismantled their lodge, packed their belongings onto their dogs, and swiftly departed for the main camp. As they approached the bustling community, ensuring their cries would be heard, they began to wail and mourn, orchestrating a theatrical display of grief.
When members of the camp rushed to meet them, inquiring about their sorrow and the whereabouts of their husband, the wives spun a tale of elaborate deceit. “Alas,” they sobbed, “he is dead! Five days ago, he went hunting and never returned. We are lost without him, our provider!” They continued their lamentations, convincing the community of their fabricated tragedy.
Meanwhile, the man lay injured at the bottom of the deep pit. The fall had badly bruised him, rendering him unable to climb out. He sat there, weakened and despairing, convinced that starvation would soon claim his life. His situation was dire, a stark consequence of his wives’ cruel treachery.
A Wolf’s Compassion and a Collective Rescue
Just as all hope seemed lost, destiny intervened. A solitary wolf, traversing the prairie, chanced upon the butte and, driven by curiosity, approached the concealed pit. Looking down, the wolf discovered the injured man and, in an unexpected display of empathy, felt pity for his plight. A mournful, elongated howl—“Ah-h-w-o-o-o! Ah-h-w-o-o-o-o!”—echoed across the plains, summoning other wolves who quickly converged to investigate.
Following the larger wolves, a diverse array of other animals—coyotes, badgers, and kit-foxes—also arrived, drawn by the commotion and the prospect of food. The first wolf addressed the gathering: “Here, in this hole, I have found a man who has fallen. Let us dig him out, and we will welcome him as our brother.” The idea resonated with the pack, and a collective decision was made. All the animals, united in their purpose, began to dig, quickly excavating a considerable portion of the earth leading to the pit’s base.
At a certain point, the wolf who had discovered the man halted the digging, requesting to speak. “We will all accept this man as our brother,” he declared, “but since I found him, I believe he should live among us, the big wolves.” The other animals readily agreed to this arrangement. The lead wolf then descended into the newly dug excavation, tore away the remaining earth, and gently pulled out the man, who was by now barely conscious, having endured days without food or water.
The wolves offered him a kidney to eat, helping him regain his strength. Once he could walk, the big wolves guided him to their den. Here resided a revered, ancient, and blind wolf, known for its extraordinary power and ability to perform wondrous feats. This venerable wolf undertook the task of healing the man. Through its potent magic, the man’s head and hands were transformed, taking on the appearance of a wolf’s, while the rest of his body remained human. Thus, he became the legendary Wolf Man, forever bonded to his saviors.
The Wolf Man’s Ingenuity and the Hunters’ Frustration
In those ancient times, people ingeniously constructed large enclosures, or piskuns, for trapping buffalo. These enclosures featured strategic holes in their fence walls, over which snares were set. Wolves and other animals, drawn by the scent of meat within the pen, would creep through these holes only to be caught by the neck, killed, and their skins used for clothing by the hunters.
One night, the wolf pack, accompanied by their new brother, the Wolf Man, ventured towards a piskun to forage for meat. As they drew near, the Wolf Man, understanding the human traps, addressed his wolf brothers: “Wait here a moment. I will go ahead and disable the snares so you can enter safely.” He then stealthily approached the enclosure, skillfully springing all the snares, rendering them harmless. Returning to the pack, he called in the other animals—the coyotes, badgers, and kit-foxes—and together they all entered the pen, feasting abundantly and carrying ample meat back to their families.
The next morning, the human hunters were astonished to find their buffalo meat gone and all their snares sprung. They marveled at how such a thing could have occurred. This pattern continued for many nights: the nooses were sprung, and the meat vanished. However, on one occasion, the wolves found only the carcass of a lean and sickly bull within the pen. The Wolf Man became enraged, howling in a distinctly wolf-like cry, “Bad-food-you-give-us-o-o-o! Bad-food-you-give-us-o-o-o-o!”
Capture and Confession
Upon hearing the distinctive, human-like wolf howl, the people conferred amongst themselves, realizing the truth: “Ah, it is a Wolf Man who has been doing all this. We must capture him.” They devised a plan, taking tempting pemmican and rich back fat to the piskun, strategically placing it there as bait. Many hunters then concealed themselves nearby, awaiting their mysterious quarry.
After dark, as was their custom, the wolves arrived. When the Wolf Man spotted the delectable food, he eagerly rushed forward and began to eat. This was the moment the hunters had been waiting for. From every direction, they surged upon him, catching him with ropes, tying him securely, and escorting him to a lodge. Once inside, illuminated by the flickering firelight, the people instantly recognized him. “Why, this is the man who was lost!” they exclaimed in unison.
The man, now free to speak, corrected them. “No,” he stated, “I was not lost. My wives attempted to murder me. They dug a deep pit, and I fell into it, sustaining such severe injuries that I could not escape. It was the wolves who took pity on me and saved my life; otherwise, I surely would have perished there.”
Justice for Betrayal
Upon hearing the Wolf Man’s harrowing account of betrayal, the people were filled with righteous anger. They urged him to decide on a suitable punishment for his treacherous wives. His reply was swift and unwavering: “You speak wisely. I relinquish those women to the punishing society. They understand precisely what action to take.” The “punishing society” was a recognized institution within the community, responsible for upholding justice and order.
Following that fateful night, the two disloyal wives were never seen again. Their disappearance served as a chilling reminder of the severe consequences of malice and treachery within the tribal community, and the profound justice meted out when harmony was disturbed.
A Legend’s Enduring Wisdom
The legend of the Wolf Man stands as a powerful narrative within Blackfeet tradition, rich with moral implications and cultural insights. It illustrates the destructive nature of selfishness and betrayal, contrasting it with the profound loyalty and compassion found in unexpected places—even among wild animals. The transformation of the man into the Wolf Man symbolizes a deep connection with nature and a re-evaluation of what constitutes family and community. It speaks to the idea that true kinship can transcend species, and that justice, though sometimes delivered through unconventional means, will ultimately prevail. This timeless tale, passed down through generations, continues to resonate, reminding us of the importance of honesty, gratitude, and the enduring power of the natural world.
