Chapter 6, Sadness Among The People Summary

While the two old women have been thriving, The People have been struggling just to survive. Over the winter they were able to follow a herd of caribou for a while, but hunger set in and they weren't able to find much to eat until summer. During the summer, while they should have been gathering and preserving food and fuel; they tried just to maintain themselves. By the time they had enough energy to work hard, winter was on its way once more.

Several children die of starvation, and the Chief still feels remorseful for leaving the two old women behind because leaving them didn't seem to lift much of the burden. They return to the camp where the two old women were abandoned and are surprised to see no traces of the women. They...