Virginia Football, illustrated by James Wedzin, Dogrib translation by Rosa Manta and Mary Siemens,
Edànì Nôgèe Wegöö Degèe Adzà: How the Fox Got His Crossed Legs
Theytus Books, 2009.

Rating: E*

This beautiful folktale is a traditional First Nation Tlicho, or Dogrib legend. The Tlicho First Nation, formally known as the Dogrib, live mainly in the Northwest Territories in Canada. This story, presented in both English and the Dogrib language, follows the misadventures of Fox, who loses his leg to Bear after an argument.

The story is both a pourquoi tale and a trickster tale. When Bear takes Fox’s leg, it is up to Raven to trick Bear into returning the leg to its rightful owner. Fox, so anxious to get his leg back, puts it back in position too quickly, and thus imperfectly, which is the reason why, when they stand, Foxes have crossed legs to this day. The story is written in the parse voice of folktales, yet the tale is filled with drama and tension. As well, the luminous illustrations depict the characters and setting perfectly.

It would be an ideal book to use in the classroom in connection with study of First Nations culture, or of folklore, and could be used in conjunction with the CD included with the book of a Dogrib Elder telling his version of this ancient legend in Dogrib. At the end of the book, there is an extensive Dogrib orthography and pronunciation guide.

Thematic Links: First Nations Cultures; Traditions; Folklore; Trickster Tales

Kallie George
Vol. 15, number 4
April 2010

*Rating System:
E - Excellent, enduring, everyone should see it!
G - Good, even great at times, generally useful!
A - Average, all right, has its applications.
P - Problematic, puzzling, poorly presented.