article

Death of a patriarch

Anthropology and humanism • 20 (2) • Published In 1995 • Pages: 124-132

By: Smith, David Merrill.

Abstract

This is a Chipewyan tale of an 19th century Métis leader, Francois Beaulieu. It tells of his conversion to Christianity after leading a life of debauchery and sin. He lived the rest of his life in penitence and the story tells how a sign following his death indicated that he had made it to Heaven. The story has a humorous ending, which calls into question the verity of the tale and acts as a disclaimer: "You believe what you want to believe." Such an ending is in line with Chipewyan egalitarian values and non-interference ethic, in which persons must discover their own meaning to life. A Geertzian wink at the end would not have been inappropriate.

HRAF PubDate

2000

Region

North America

Sub Region

Arctic and Subarctic

Document Type

article

Evaluation

Creator Type

Ethnologist

Document Rating

5: Excellent Primary Data

Analyst

Ian Skoggard ;1999

Field Date

1974

Coverage Date

1974

Coverage Place

Fort Smith and Salt River, Northwest Territories, Canada

Notes

David M. Smith

Includes bibliographical references (p. 132)

LCCN

96641325

LCSH

Chipewyan Indians