“A simple choice sometimes changes a life.”
Denbee
“The feel of a canoe gunnel at the thigh, the splash of flying spray in the face,
the rhythm of the snowshoe trail, the beckoning of far-off hills and valleys,
the majesty of the tempest, the calm and silent presence of the trees that
seem to muse and ponder in their silence;
the trust and confidence of small living creatures,
the company of simple men;
these have been my inspiration and my guide.
Without them I am nothing.”
Grey Owl
Courtesy of Sustainable Human:
“The Memory of Trees” by Enya (courtesy of 777loveisall):
Courtesy of Be Smart:
THE ADVENTURES OF SAJO AND HER BEAVER PEOPLE
GREY OWL
1888 – 1938
Courtesy of Anne Martin:
Archibald Stansfeld Belaney was a British-born conservationist, writer, lecturer. He was born in Hastings, on the south coast. A difficult childhood made him long to escape as far away as possible.
Agawa River, Ontario, Canada
Between 1932-34 a Native Indian from the remote Canadian forest became a global sensation. His lectures on the need for conservation, protection of forests, animals, and native Indians, were so passionate, articulate, and charismatic that he had attracted the attention of agents, publishers, and those who were hoping to make money on the seemingly simple man. Books quickly followed, again to great acclaim. His tales of a trapper turned protector, written in clear heartfelt prose, some with his own illustrations, had struck a chord with many people. Those were the times of smoky jazz clubs, European nightclubs, the Charleston, drinks and other excesses, and there was a man extolling the pleasure of early morning swims in the cool forest lake, long walks among the pine trees, the beauty of nature, wildness, and animals, especially beavers.
Courtesy of stromgull:
His enchanting book about saving and bringing up two orphaned baby beavers, again with his simple but attractive drawings, became a bestseller. After ‘The Men of the Last Frontier’ and ‘Pilgrims of the Wild’ came ‘The Adventures of Sajo and her Beaver People’.
Grey Owl (He who walks at night), became the best-known Canadian author of his day. He travelled the world and his lectures were attended even by royalty, as was the case in England. When it was discovered that the Native Indian was in fact an Englishman, Archibald Stansfeld Belaney, born in 1888 in Hastings of white parents, and brought up by his aunts until the age of seventeen, the publishers were devastated and stopped using the name Grey Owl. The scandal didn’t make much difference to the millions of admiring readers and to the popularity of his books, translated into many languages. He was a conservationist and his powerful message to save the Earth from destruction will never be forgotten, no matter what name he used. Since then, many books have been written about his unusual life, and a film was made about his friendship with Native Indians and his work, with Pierce Brosnan as Grey Owl (below).
Courtesy of AMBI Distribution:
In the Preface to The Adventures Of Sajo And Her Beaver People, Grey Owl wrote:
“The events recorded in this tale, all of them have taken place within my knowledge. Indeed, most of them are recorded from personal experience and from first-hand narration by the participants themselves. Any Indian words used are correctly rendered from the Ojibway language, in the regional dialect of the area involved.
The description of the animal character is to be taken as authentic, and the mental and physical reactions ascribed to the animals are as nearly correct as a lifetime of intimate association with wildlife, in its own environment, can make them. My intention was to write a child’s story that could be read by grown-ups.
It is highly probable that Chlawee and Chikanee, the two beaver kittens who are the heroes of the story, survived to a ripe old age in their home-pond, for not only was this colony considered, after the event, inviolate by the hunters in whose trapping grounds they were, as well as by entire community, but soon after their release the region for many miles around was included within boundaries of a well known Provincial Park. The Yellow Birch river – in fact, the whole area – remains in very nearly the same unspoiled condition it was at the time of the story.
It is my hope that besides providing entertainment, this story of two Indian children and their well-loved animal friends may awaken in some eager, inquiring young minds a clear and more intimate understanding of the joys and the sorrows, the work, the pastimes, and the daily lives of the humble little People of the forest, who can experience feelings so very like their own. And the writer even ventures to allow himself the thought that perhaps, too, it may invoke in the hearts of even those of more mature years a greater tolerance and sympathy for those who are weaker or less gifted than themselves.
Above all, may it be my privilege to carry with me, as fellow-voyagers on this, a short journey to the Northland, a small but happy company of those little once who, for a short a time, dwell in that Enchanted Vale of Golden Dreams that we call Childhood.
Wa-Sha-Quon-Asin (Gray Owl )
Beavers Lodge
Ajawaan Lake
Prince Albert National Park
Saskatchewan
Canada
November 25th, 1934
“Many Winters” by Hans Zimmer:
Here is an extract from The Adventures Of Sajo And Her Beaver People:
“The attendant stood by for a long time and watched and shook his head, and said ‘Too bad, little fellow, too bad.’
This was his job, taming these wild creatures that were sent to him from time to time; yet, liking animals as he did, he sometimes hated the work. To him they often seemed to be, not wild things at all, but hopeless, unfortunate little people who could not speak, and who sometimes were so pitifully in need of the kindness for which they could not ask; and he had always felt that a man, who was so much bigger and stronger, and knew so many things that they did not, should be good to them and help them all he could. And he pitied the little beaver that was struggling so helplessly to be free, for this was not the first one that had come under his care, and he knew their gentle nature.
He remembered that a beaver may live more than twenty years – twenty years in that prison of iron and concrete! In twenty years his own family would be grown up and away from here; he himself might be gone. The town would have become a great city, people would come and – free people, happy people – and through it all, this unhappy little beast, who had done no harm to anyone, and seemed only to want someone to be kind to him, would for twenty lonely years, looked out through the bars of that wretched pen as though he had been some violent criminal; waiting for the freedom that would never be his, waiting only to die at last.”
“Nocturne in E Flat Major: Andante” by Frédéric Chopin, performed by Seong-Jin Cho:
Appropriately, the November full moon is known as the Beaver Moon, as this is the time of year when beavers begin to take shelter in their lodges, having accumulated sufficient stores of food for the long winter ahead. This year the November full moon is also a lunar eclipse and will appear reddish so it is known as the Beaver Blood Moon. It will take place on Tuesday 8th November 2022.
Courtesy of 5NEWS:
“Nocturne in A Minor” by Chad Lawson (courtesy of Mickael David):
naturetails 
Marvelous share, Joanna. Beavers are wonderful animals and their reintroduction into parts of Nevada have proven to be beneficial in the maintenance of watershed in an arid environment. However, Beavers are less helpful when they try to build dams in roadside ditches, resulting in flooded roads. The beavers are humanely trapped and relocated to more suitable abodes. It’s amazing how many beavers reside in nature parks in the great Washington DC area.
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Thank you, Pat, for your interesting comments, which are greatly appreciated! In this country, they were extinct for 4oo years, and now are reintroduced, and are thriving.
Joanna
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Thanks to the beaver hat fashions of the early 19th century, they were endangered here for a while. Fortunately that fashion trend died out before any more of them were killed. Now many nature parks (at all levels of government from federal to local) are reintroducing them because they are a proven part of habitat improvement and water management. Glad that are being re-introduced in the UK.
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I am, too, Pat. The beaver coat looks the best on its owner.
Joanna
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Dear Joanna,🙏🌹
Your article is not merely a narrative it is a gentle resurrection of a vanishing sensitivity; a soulful testimony to human compassion, animal kinship, and the forgotten language of the wild.
The way you have presented the life and spirit of Grey Owl with such tenderness, grace, and silent empathy opens a hidden doorway within the reader. A place where words do not just convey thoughts, but flow as emotions. You reminded us that some stories are not history they are a call from within. This is one such story.
Reading the scene of the beaver peering helplessly through iron bars, it felt as though that voiceless creature was asking us:
“Why does your freedom come at the cost of my pain?”
And through your words, we finally heard that silent question.
Wa-Sha-Quon-Asin “He Who Walks by Night” may have lived in the blur of borrowed identity, but his soul had merged with the truth of the forest. And you brought that truth alive with such quiet reverence, that one cannot help but feel both compassion and admiration for the man he chose to become.
Your writing, dear Joanna, is like a beaver lodge itself simple from outside, yet deep, tender, and sheltering from within.
Through this piece, you led me back if only for a moment to that Enchanted Vale of Golden Dreams we call childhood, where nature and beings, language and feeling, live as one.
Thank you, from the depths of my heart,
for this invaluable creation.
— Vijay Srivastava
(A reader who, through your words, feels a little more human now.)😊
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A very informative article Joanna. Grey owl, no matter his origins had it right and followed the beliefs of the First Nations peoples, who look at themselves as protectors of Turtle Island (Earth). We continue to be amazed at the ingenuity, stamina and the ability of beavers to reimagine their own environment. Have a great Thursday. Allan
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Thank you so much, dear Vijay, for your beyond words wonderful comments! Every word of your analytical review melted my heart, and lifted my spirit, and I cannot find adequate way to thank you. The ability to write such way that you make people happy beyond measure is a gift from God, and must be treasured. I am so that we met and are friends!
Joanna
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Thank you, Allan, for the wonderfully thoughtful comments, which wholly resonate with my beliefs!
Joanna
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It matters not that he was not a Native Indian, only that he was devoted to his passion for what he found in Canada and wrote stories that would inspire others. I pray that there will always be land where animals are free from human interference. Of course this is my kind of story, since as you know, I adore all animals. Thank you for reminding me and for another uplifting tribute.
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Thank you, Carolyn, for your wonderful comments, which I greatly appreciate because I share your views!
Joanna xx
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I’d never heard of this gentleman before. Your Great Books series is fascinating. I’m always interested to find out which author you will write about next!
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Thank you, Neil, for your wonderful comments, which make me glad that you are my reader!
Joanna
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This was fabulous. I chuckled when his publishers learned he was English and not an American Indian. Although, the looked and dressed the part very well. How special, his story of taking care of the beavers. Thank you for sharing Archibald Stansfeld Belaney story, Joanna!
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Thanks Joanna! This is a new discovery for me!
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I had never heard of Grey Owl/Archibald Stansfeld Belaney before. I have to wonder if anyone would have paid attention to his writing if he had not presented himself as “Grey Owl.” A very thoughtful, informative post! Thank you.
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Thank you so much, Monica, for the wonderful comments, which are greatly appreciated!
Joanna x
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Thank you, Diana, for the thoughtful comments, which are much appreciated.
Joanna
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Thank you, Phil, your comment gives me great pleasure!
Joanna
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A lovely post. If only there were more people like him! Thank you, Joanna. 🤗💐💌😊
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Thank you, Ashley, for your kind comments, which are greatly appreciated.
Joanna
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Thank you so much, dear Joanna, for sharing yet another delightful post—this time on supposedly a children’s adventure novel that has found an audience far beyond its intended age group.
As you mentioned, its author, Archibald Stansfeld Belaney, had a difficult childhood. Behavioural scientists often note that an unpleasant childhood can leave lasting marks on one’s adult personality. Yet, those who overcome such challenges often achieve remarkable success—and Belaney is a fine example, who rose above those hardships, and became a celebrated conservationist.
Under the persona of “Grey Owl,” claiming mixed Indigenous heritage, Belaney became widely known through his writings and public lectures, championing the cause of conservation. His lifelong passion was the study and protection of beavers—fascinating creatures whose teeth, intriguingly, contain iron.
Belaney’s book, “The Adventures of Sajo and Her Beaver People” is both beautiful and real, inspired by his own experience adopting two young orphaned beavers. The story follows Sojo and her elder brother as they care for the beaver kittens and strive to protect them, exploring the beaver life and the importance of preserving their natural habitat. It’s a moving tale, rich with themes of family, love, and the urgent need to safeguard wildlife.
Thank you, Joanna, for bringing this captivating work to life once more, enhanced with your thoughtful selection of audio, video, and perfectly matched images.
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Thank you so much, Kaushal, for the wonderful analytical review commenting on the life and work of Grey Owl, the famous conservationist. We both share an interest in nature and protecting wildlife, as some creatures are already extinct. Knowing that there are many people dedicated to the same goal makes me feel hopeful for the future of our planet. Your writing about nature inspires many people to feel passionately about protecting nature. Thank you again, Kaushal, for your kind words, which are deeply appreciated!
Joanna
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It’s truly my pleasure, Joanna. Reading your posts is worth spending time. Environmental protection should be our first priority now, as the frequency of natural calamities in recent years across the globe is on the rise. You’re welcome always!
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Joanna, you have a why of helping lovers of nature to stay connected — Thank you.
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Thank you so much, Kenne, for your beautiful comments, which are very much appreciated!
Joanna
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Thank you, Kaushal, for your wonderful comments, which I will cherish!
Joanna
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What a gorgeous post, dear Joanna. I appreciate all that you offer us. My grandfather was from Saskatchewan, Canada and I dream of visiting that region. Thank you. 💚
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Thank you so much, dear Michele, for the wonderful comments, which made me very happy!
Joanna x
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You’re very welcome! x
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Thank you, Michele, and likewise!
Joanna x
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Lovely post, Joanna! I have read about Grey Owl but never read his books. The excerpt about the beaver in a cage is really heartrending!
The secret of Grey Owl reminds me of another Englishman who wrote a whole series of very popular books under the pseudonym of Lobsang Rampa. When it was found that he was not a Tibetan mon but a Yorkshire plumber, there was a huge ruckus. But he claimed he had been a Tibetan monk in his previous life. However that may be, the books are very interesting and entertaining.
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Thank you, dear Harini, for your wonderfully amusing and interesting comments! I had to laugh at the inventive wisdom of the plumber writing as Lobsang Rampa! Your comments are much appreciated!
Joanna x
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Another very fascinating post, Joanna! interestingly, beavers have been reintroduced here in Enfield after a 400 year absence! I often pondered on their importance to the eco system, now thanks to your delightful post, I have a better idea! Thanks again. Have a wonderful Sunday. Sharon X
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Thank you, dear Sharon, for your wonderful comments, which are greatly appreciated! I am glad that beavers are back in this country in a few places, and they are thriving!
Joanna x
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You are very welcome dear, Joanna! I heard that too! I’m so pleased that beavers are thriving here again!! Wonderful! Kindest regards, Sharon X
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Thank you, dear Sharon, for the beautiful reply!
Joanna x
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Beautifully penned! Great work, Joanna!
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Thank you, dear Filipa, for your wonderful comments, which made my day!
Joanna
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