Grey Owl (1999) Movie Script
Come in.
Excuse me, sir,
you won't know me.
Cyrus Finney,
North Bay Nugget.
That's a newspaper.
Three minutes,
Mr. Grey Owl.
This won't take a moment.
I'm trying to trace a fellow
by the name of Archie Belaney.
Uh-huh.
Do you know him?
Yes, I know him.
-What took you so long?
- I had to be sure.
What do you want to know?
Whatever you want to tell me.
Not much to tell.
He was just a kid with a dream
of living in the wilderness.
And no one suspected?
Even when you were working
as a guide?
- See anything?
- Shh.
Oh, jeez.
Did I get him?
I got him, didn't I,
Archie?
Well, Mr. Champlin...
...he sure is dead.
You're real good
at what you do, Archie.
You know what?
So am I.
Sure you are, Mr. Champlin.
I own a paper mill...
...and a printing business and
a couple of book-publishing firms.
I am a rich man, Archie.
-Wouldn't you like to be rich?
-Why would I want to be rich?
What you do is you write a book.
An Indian's life in the forest.
Same as your magazine pieces,
only longer.
-That would make you famous.
-Hm.
Being famous doesn't interest me,
Mr. Champlin.
Do you know how hungry people
are out there for your world?
The authentic voice
from the wilderness.
Congratulations,
Harry. Trs bien.
- Haven't seen you in a while.
Couldn't make it last year. Too busy.
Here's to my first bear.
You want bear, you want Archie.
Here's a little something
to remember me by.
Here you are, Archie Grey Owl.
Your guide wrote this?
"The still hunt is an art
perfected by the Indian...
...who has learned from childhood
to move like a shadow.
His actions smooth as oil,
his senses set to a hair-trigger.
-For the forest is Argus-eyed."
-This is an Indian?
-Writing in a magazine?
-You want to know something?
I'm not here just to hunt bear.
This fellow could
be a gold mine.
Good evening, ladies and gentlemen.
Something for the dancers. Thank you.
Evening. Something
for the dancers?
Thank you, sir.
Oh, I never pay
till I see the goods, buddy.
How do I know if this war dance
of yours is authentic?
The more you pay,
the more authentic it gets.
- Terrific. Well done, boys.
- Ladies and gentlemen.
We call that "The Dance
of the Dead Men."
When the dance is done
and the drums fall silent...
...we hurl ourselves
upon the hated white man...
...and we kill.
But that costs extra.
Ladies and gentlemen.
I hope you've enjoyed our little show.
May I welcome you to dinner?
I read what you wrote
in that magazine. You can write.
-I'm impressed.
-You can read.
I'm impressed.
You booked today?
You want to go hunting?
No. I want to learn
about my people.
-Who's your people?
-Mohawk. Iroquois Confederacy.
First MohawkI seen
dressed like that.
Then you've never been in downtown
Val d'Or on a Saturday night.
Two bucks for the day.
Maybe something at the end
to show your appreciation.
Oh, I can't pay you.
So why should I take you?
-Men always do what I want.
-Sure.
Men jump in the lake for just
one of your smiles, right?
Right.
Be back in an hour.
Hey, you. Jump in the lake and
I'll give you 50 cents. Right now.
You got it, Pony!
Hmm.
The world of your ancestors.
My ancestors would
never have done that.
-But that's not where we're
going, is it? No. Up ahead.
Bear Island.
Ojibwa village.
See how our people live.
- Your village?
- Could say that.
Chief kind of adopted me
a long time ago.
Can I meet him?
He'll think you're my woman,
and I've brought you for him to inspect.
Then we can inspect each other.
He's up here.
I'll lead the way.
Is this what you wanted?
It's not what I expected.
It's a hard life
they have here.
You young devil.
Where have you been for so long?
Earning a living.
Good to see you.
Archie.
-You know my young brother, Ned.
-Hello, Ned. Some dancing.
Who is this you bring to see me?
My name is Gertrude Bernard.
Chief Pete Misabi.
-I'm honored, father.
-Lovely. Very lovely.
Is she new wife?
No, no, no.
Just a friend.
When the time is right,
you tell him...
...he bring you to me,
and I make the wedding.
Pete, no one's marrying anybody.
He's kind of old, you think?
-Well, he does look kind of old.
-With the life he leads...
-...what do you expect?
He's a great hunter, great trapper.
He'll provide well for you.
You think he's the kind of man
a girl can rely on?
That I cannot say.
He's a wanderer, you know?
That is why I gave him his name,
Washaquona:
Grey Owl.
"He who walks by night."
- You manage?
- Yeah, sure.
Are you really called Gertrude?
You think I'd make up
a name like that?
So, what do they call you?
Gertie?
Do I look like a Gertie?
I wouldn't know.
I'm called Pony.
My father's pet name for me.
-Don't ask me why.
-Hm.
I won't.
How about a goodbye kiss
to show my appreciation?
Sure.
That was it?
Takes two to kiss. Huh?
See you around, Archie Grey Owl.
Ned? Come on. Get a move on.
There's a wind coming up.
I wanna get back before dark.
Hey, you.
Don't I know you?
-Do me a favor, where am I?
-You're in Elk River.
-What the hell am I doing in Elk River?
-It's as far as the railroad goes.
- End of the line, eh?
- Yep, end of the line.
Hurry it up, you guys!
Friend of yours?
Never seen him before in my life.
Are you the fellow
they call Archie Grey Owl?
That's me.
I'm Jim Bernard, Pony's father.
What can I do for you?
Well, sir...
...Pony's been offered a job in Montreal.
She's supposed to start next week.
Sounds good.
But she says she's not going.
Got this Indian bug.
Wants to live like
her ancestors.
It's all moonshine.
Can't turn back the clock.
That life's aver.
-Nobody lives in
the forest anymore. I do.
How the hell do
you survive up there?
Oh, I don't need that much.
Forest looks after me.
Brave talk.
-Got my daughter all fired up.
-She wouldn't last a week.
Then why is she planning
on going up north with you?
Oh, I never said that.
What Pony wants, Pony gets.
Of course, you could always strike
camp and go before she knew it.
Then you'd be gone.
Yeah.
Yeah.
Archie.
She told me you said I could bring her.
- Are you out of your mind?
-What am I gonna do with her?
- I thought you'd want her--
Don't think.
Take her back with you in
the morning. Get her out of here.
- Sure, if that's what you want.
- That's what I want.
You're going back with Ned
in the morning.
-No.
- I didn't invite you here.
I don't want you here.
I'm telling you to go.
I'm telling you I won't.
- I don't have time
to nursemaid you. Fine. Don't.
- Then you'll die.
- So I die.
I mean it!
You don't know what
life's like here.
It's hard and it's dangerous.
Tell her, Ned.
Sure is hard and dangerous.
- This is no life for a woman.
- I'm not going.
So either you tie me up
and have Ned carry me back...
...or I stay right here.
What are you doing?
Making a torch.
What for?
Hunting.
-Can I come?
-No.
-If you don't like it,
don't watch. I'm okay.
My people were hunters once.
-You have a Mohawk name?
-Yes.
I'm named after
my great-grandmother, Anahareo.
How come you're called Archie?
I'm a half-breed.
How else do you think
I got these blue eyes?
My mother was Scottish.
I didn't know that.
You have a problem with that?
-No. No problem.
-It's all right then.
-You want some?
-Oh.
Yeah, okay.
You ever been married, Archie?
Twice.
-What happened?
-Oh, nothing.
We spent some time together.
I moved on.
Why get married if you know
you're going to leave?
Why get married if you know
you're gonna stay?
That's the old way.
Marry when the time
comes to part.
Like the warrior going to war.
Hunter leaving on
a long journey.
Just put it down there.
Thank you.
That way, you keep a piece
of each other forever.
I love it when you tell me
about the old ways.
How do you know
I'm not just making it up?
I know when you're faking it.
Oh?
Like when?
When you grunt at me
like you don't want me around.
And I know you do.
This used to be a beaver den.
Some stinking white men,
call themselves trappers...
...been using dynamite
in my territory.
No Indians would do this.
We don't take the kittens.
We don't destroy the lodges.
Soon there'll be no beaver left.
How much further?
-A good way yet.
-Getting cold.
We'll go across the lake.
Get us back before dark.
Snow's coming.
Spread your weight.
Slide.
- Don't get too near now, okay?
- Okay.
And whatever you do, don't stop.
There may be some soft spots.
You're going too fast.
I can't keep up.
Please wait!
Archie!
I can't go on.
I have to catch my breath.
Archie!
Don't move!
Archie!
Don't move,
you'll make the hole bigger!
Don't move, don't move!
Help me!
Don't move!
Don't move.
Stay still.
Look at me.
Look at me, Pony!
Don't struggle.
Don't struggle!
Stay right here. Stay with me, Pony.
Grab this belt. Grab this belt.
-Ah!
-Grab it, Pony. Grab it!
Hold on!
Don't move.
Grab it!
Come on, come on!
I can't!
-Come on.
-I can't feel my legs.
I can't feel my legs.
That's it.
That's it. You're free!
Come on!
-Help me! Come on!
-Come on!
Shh. Shh.
Hold this.
Come on. Come on.
- Stand up.
- I can't!
-Get up, Pony! Get up!
-I can't get up!
Get up! Pony, get up.
Come on, Pony, please!
Run. Come on.
Don't stop or you're gonna lock up.
Come on! Run!
Go. Run. Get up. Get up!
Get up! Get up!
Get up, get up!
Run, run, run!
Pony, keep moving.
Keep moving, Pony!
-Get up! Get up!
Get up, Pony! I can't!
You're gonna freeze. Get up.
Keep moving! Run!
I'm so sorry.
Pony, don't die on me.
Pony. Pony.
I'm such a fool.
Here we go, Pony. Here we go.
Stay warm.
Stay warm.
Nenemoosha.
-Archie?
-I'm right here.
I guess I'm not as tough
as I thought.
You did fine.
You're still alive.
-You were stroking me.
-Trying to get you warm.
I liked that.
I liked that too.
I swore I wouldn't.
Why not?
I don't know.
You're afraid I'll fall
in love with you.
Don't worry.
I can look after myself.
I guess I've always been alone.
But it's okay,
me being here now.
Isn't it?
Yes.
Better than okay.
If we can make each other happy,
Archie...
...let's do it.
It's not as if it's
so easy to find.
Yeah.
What was that word you called me?
Some Indian word.
Nenemoosha.
What's that?
It's just a word.
I like it.
What's that?
What?
That.
- It's called a dreamcatcher.
- What's it for?
They hang them up for babies...
...and newly-married couples.
Bad dreams get
caught in the web.
Good dreams go through.
-Do Mohawks have dreamcatchers?
-Sure.
And all I have is a Mohawk name.
I need more.
Best of all, beaver.
So few left,
they fetch good money.
But the season's over.
You said.
Yeah, what's here
won't even pay off my loan.
We have to live too,
you know.
There's no guarantee
anyone will buy my book.
Why won't you let me read
what you're writing?
It's not done yet.
Am I in it?
Why would you be in it?
If I was writing a book,
you'd be in it.
Yes.
You're in it.
I laid a trap here this morning.
With luck, I got us another beaver pelt.
And one up in the dam there.
That's it, the other side.
Let's see what we got here.
-Bitch!
-What is it?
Trap and chain broke free.
-The beaver got away? No,
it'll be down there with the trap.
Ten bucks shot to hell.
Goddamn.
Come on. Come on.
Beaver kittens.
Where's their mother?
She's down there in your trap,
isn't she?
She's drowned, isn't she?
Most likely.
-How are they going to live
without her? They're not.
They aren't weaned.
They'll slowly starve to death.
-Archie, no.
-Don't look.
-No!
-Never! Never do that again.
You could have
got yourself shot.
Don't worry.
Nobody's going to hurt you.
Come on.
Come on.
Come on, baby.
Come on.
They don't want it.
Why would they?
You're not their mother.
Can't you even look at them?
What for?
I'm a trapper.
Remember?
I'm not trying to get at you,
Archie.
You said it yourself,
soon there'll be no beaver left.
-We can't just leave them to die.
-Everything dies.
Flies get eaten by fish.
Fish get eaten by otters.
Otters get eaten by wolves.
I've seen a bear kill a wolf,
rip out its guts to eat.
I've seen men kill bears.
And I've seen a man
three weeks dead covered in flies.
Kill a deer for meat,
I understand that.
Kill a beaver to make yourself a coat
so you don't freeze to death...
...I understand that.
But killing as a trade, to make money?
You're better than that, Archie.
Forest Indians have always
been trappers.
-Did they always trap animals
for trade? Sure.
Archie, that's not true,
and you know it.
The old Indian way was you
killed only what you needed.
The white traders
taught us to kill for money.
We never even had money
before the white man came.
You're a woman.
You're town-raised.
You wouldn't understand.
Whatever you say, Archie.
Go back to sleep.
I don't believe this.
He likes you, Archie.
Well, I don't like him.
Then put him back on the floor.
I don't think he knows
you don"t like him.
You better make it clearer.
Get lost, fuzzy face.
That's telling him.
Archie?
-Archie?
-Yeah.
-I can't find one of the micks.
-He'll be around somewhere.
It isn't. I've got one,
but where is the other?
Mick, mick?
Mick?
Mick?
Come on.
Mick? Mick?
-Mick, mick?
-Pony.
-How far could it have got?
-Oh, quite a way.
-Can't you track it or something?
-In snow, maybe.
-But now it could be anywhere.
Might it get as far as the trap line?
No. No, way.
Oh, God.
No!
No, no.
I'm sorry.
Oh, dear Jesus,
I'm so sorry.
Archie, I found him.
He came back.
-They're playing in the cabin.
-You found him?
What happened?
You thought it was...?
Oh, yes.
Oh, Archie.
I've quit.
I know.
No more trapping.
I love you, Archie.
You all set?
You sure we've got everything?
I'm sure.
You said they hang them up for
babies and newly-married couples.
That's right.
What happens when you aren't
a baby anymore or new-married?
I guess you handle
your own dreams.
I hear you've got a girl.
News travels.
Good winter?
You tell me, Gus.
So where did you find these?
Around Abitibi way?
Hey, squaw man,
I'm talking to you.
-You have a problem?
-Yeah, I have a problem.
Some thieving redskin's
been trapping our territory.
-Now, where'd you find these pelts?
-Seventy-two.
Hey, squaw man,
don't turn your back on me.
Hey, boy.
Step out. You've been
raiding our trap lines?
No Indian does that to me!
You boys better leave.
Be seeing you around.
Ignorant savage shake in shoes.
So, Archie...
...by my tally,
you tally up 290.
You owe me another 20.
Do me a favor, Gus.
Make it $20 and the postage
for my book.
Sure.
They're the bastards that been
poaching my traps.
Wiping out the beaver.
Poison, dynamite...
...it's all the same to them.
You take care of yourself
up there, okay?
- Ladies, gentlemen.
- Pony.
- Pony.
- Thank you.
-You'll have to hurry now.
You didn't get enough for the pelts?
Couldn't even clear the old debt.
A whole winter's work,
we're still 20 bucks down.
I'm sorry.
- I don't know what we do now.
- There you go.
Come along, now. Don't worry.
- If you like to, move up, now.
- All right.
I do.
-Feathers?
-Why not?
Most Indians are like my dad,
ashamed of what they are.
Put a feather in your hair, you're
saying, "I'm Indian and proud of it."
I know that what brings
you good people...
...to Wabikon Lodge is not only
the fine cuisine...
...or the friendly service.
The man who's going
to speak to you...
...is an Ojibwa Indian who's lived
all his life in these forests.
I can't do this.
He's paying cash.
Just think of the money.
He's also the guy who wrote
those terrific articles...
...in Forest and Outdoors.
Pretty good, aren't they?
- Just talk the way you write.
- So, ladies and gentlemen...
...I give you Grey Owl.
Thank you.
I've not done too much speaking
in public before.
Tell the truth, I feel like
the snake that swallowed the icicle.
Hello, you two.
Have you come to help me out?
These little fellows
live with us.
We call them the micks.
The Ojibwa name for beaver is Ahmik,
"Little Talking Brother."
And they do talk too.
Can you say hi to everyone?
Beavers are family-minded,
you know.
A beaver pair will stay together
for life, just like us.
Some of us.
I'm not planning on holding on
to them too long.
Soon as they've grown, we'll
let them back into the wild.
Have some babies of their own.
The fact is...
...I used to trap beaver,
but a few weeks ago I quit.
Never thought I would.
Now I know it's wrong.
They're almost extinct.
Too many trappers, not enough beaver.
When the beaver have gone
from the north...
Well, maybe you don't know it...
...but these fellows make
the north the way it is.
They build their dams,
make their ponds...
...where the moose feed,
the muskrats and the waterfowl.
Come spring, they open their
dams, let the water run...
...and you've got an irrigation
system 1.600 km wide.
Take away the beaver...
...and you break the chain.
So I'm speaking up
for the beaver now.
If we don't watch out...
...they'll just
be another extinct species.
I guess I feel it more
than most because...
...well, people like me are pretty
much an extinct species too.
I guess you can get along without me,
but these little fellows...
...the world would be
a poorer place without them.
What do you have to say?
Never ask me to do that again.
You were great, Archie.
You really got to them.
How about a curtain call?
Thank you.
It's wild country, way north
of the Saskatchewan River.
We build you a cabin
the way you want it.
And the National Parks Department
pays you a monthly salary.
-National Park?
-Yeah.
All 3000 square miles of it.
Why would I want to go there?
You want to save the beaver?
You could do just that.
Establish a colony.
No danger, trapping's forbidden.
Jim wants the same as you,
Archie.
To save the beaver
before it's too late.
We need the public on our side.
We need politicians to vote funds
for the parks.
And you could really help us,
Archie.
And you'd be free to write.
What's the problem?
It's made for you.
You know why I love the forest?
I love the forest because it's
the last place men aren't in charge.
The last wilderness.
Why would I want
to be a park keeper?
Excuse me.
My name is Finney, Cyrus Finney.
I was very taken by what Grey Owl
had to say this afternoon.
You obviously know him quite well.
Would you mind if I join you?
- Did you know he played piano?
- I've heard him play. Give me that.
Where did he learn that?
I mean, what else can he do?
Why doesn't he tell me anything?
I've known Archie since I was 4,
when my father adopted him.
I'd do anything for him, but I'll never
understand him, even after all the years.
Watch out.
-So he'll never tell me anything?
-Maybe not, but I'll tell you two things.
Archie's past belongs
to him and only him.
And you? Well, you've lasted
longer than any others.
- Night, Dave.
- See you in the morning.
Take it easy, Charlie.
Good night.
Come on, hurry up.
- It's me, Sim Hancock. Hey,
Archie, it's that drunk again.
Wait a minute, it's me!
Wait.
What's happened to this place?
Never used to be full of bums.
I know it's you, you bastard!
Remember me, Archie?
- Where's Pony?
- I'll see you, Charlie.
You may have gone native,
but I know you.
- I know it's you.
-Go find Pony.
Find her now.
It's time to get out of this place.
Tell her we're leaving.
Lake Ajawaan.
Set the canoe down
by the dock, Wayne.
Well, how does it look?
Okay.
-Who built the cabin?
-Parks Department.
But it's the real thing, every detail
copied from a trapper's cabin.
Real thing, eh?
Just don't try to get me
into one of those uniforms.
It's got everything.
Good for the micks.
No hunters.
No trappers.
It's your new home now.
Come on, come on, come on.
Archie. Archie!
The micks are swimming
with me, Archie.
They're swimming with me.
Come on in.
Come on.
Come on.
There he is.
Archie Grey Owl.
-This is an honor, sir. Oh,
I have to get a picture of this.
But I can't if you're standing
so far apart. Oh, please, just--
Hawkins is from England.
Did you know you had fans in England?
I've read your articles
in Country Life, all of them.
-Country Life?
-It's a magazine.
You have many admirers
where I come from.
Here we go.
Everybody look at the camera.
Move in, Michael.
Okay, that's good.
Here we go.
Perfect.
Okay, I know.
I don't like it either.
I can't stay here.
They didn't do any harm.
I should head north.
Find some real wilderness again.
- I have to go.
-You keep saying
"I can't stay. I have to go."
You saw them.
Strolling in here as if they
own the place.
If you don't want attention,
why write a book?
If you want to be yourself,
why dye your hair?
You know?
Of course I know.
You walk back in the cabin
with your hair like that...
...how can I not know?
All right.
So I'm a fake.
Oh, Archie...
...I don't care if
you're going gray.
I don't care if you dye your
hair red, white and blue.
I love you because
of what you are...
...and because you're proud
of what you are.
Don't you know that by now?
Oh, hell, now what?
Archie.
- You remember me?
- Sure do, Mr. Champlin.
This is Walter Perry,
my promotions manager.
How do you do?
And that's Jim there. Of course,
you know him. And Bill Oliver. And...
...this.
This is for you.
Oh, my gosh.
And you must be Anahareo.
How do you know that?
Well, you're in Archie's book.
You're the heroine.
This is really something.
I can't believe I'm here.
It's as if I walked into
the pages of your book.
We sent out 50 advance copies.
The reactions are terrific.
Right off the map.
Most of all in England.
No one ever read a book
by a real Red Indian before.
I mean, it just amazes people.
-It's like...
-Like a wild animal talking?
Yes, exactly.
No. No, no, no, it's--
It's not, it's--
- I don't mean to say--
-Forget it.
It's great for us, Archie,
for the parks.
Archie's is the first voice anybody's
heard out of the wilderness.
-It's not just a voice, eh, Bill?
-You bet.
Look like you're talking to each other.
Say anything, we can't hear you.
It's a beautiful book, Archie.
I love it.
I just put down what
was happening to me, that's all.
You call me your wife.
Well, you know how it is...
...I don't want to
go offending people.
Pony, Pony. Yeah, look at me.
And smile and wave,
like you're saying, "Hi there, folks."
Get lost, folks.
I don't need much. Something to
feed the fellows writing the profile.
-What profiles?
-Oh, just the usual stuff.
I hear there's a writer out of North Bay
working up a big piece on you.
Working up? How?
Talking to people who know you.
Going to places you've been.
Let's do this.
Okay. you're Ojibwa.
We know that. And you're 40...7?
Forty-one.
-So where were you born?
- I was born in Mexico.
Hermosillo.
And what about your parents?
My father was a Scotsman,
scout in the Indian wars.
My mother was an Apache,
Jicarilla band.
Apache?
Wait, so you're not Ojibwa?
No, I lived with the Bear
Island Ojibwa for 13 years.
Everything I know
I learned from them.
-So your father--
-Parents are both dead.
-Leave it at that, shall we?
-Sure.
Your book is gonna be very big
in England, Archie.
We want to lay on a major
promotional tour. We want you there.
-England?
-You appear in full Indian rig.
You speak, we show Bill's film.
They'll be crazy for you.
-No.
-You don't mean that.
You're an author with something to say.
You want people to hear it, don't you?
Canada is part of the British Empire.
London is where the power is.
-We'll look after you.
-No, forget it.
What's the problem?
You want me...
You want me to stand up there and
be stared at like some circus freak?
-Why would I want to do that?
-Why did you write the book?
To make a difference.
So now maybe you have to put
feathers in your hair.
Remember?
You want me to go?
No, Archie.
But everybody has a moment.
And right now,
there isn't anyone else.
Okay, I'll go.
-You told them your father
was Scottish. So?
You told me it was your mother
who was Scottish.
No, my father.
At Abitibi, last winter,
when you were cutting up the deer.
-I remember it clearly.
-You saying I'm lying?
-No! I should know who
my real father was.
-Yes, of course. What's a guy
have to do to be alone?
-You want to be alone?
It's not you, it's just how I am.
Yeah, I know.
You're a loner.
You have to live in the wilderness.
I hear it every day. Great.
-So, what am I doing here?
-That's up to you.
-Up to me?
-Do what you want.
-If you want to go, go! Jesus,
Archie, do I have to do it all?
All the loving and
all the leaving?
I guess I thought
I could change you.
Stupid.
I wanted to believe two people
can get to know each other...
...and not have to be alone.
That's it.
Your turn.
What am I supposed to say?
If you don't know, then you're not
supposed to say a thing, Archie.
Not a damn thing.
I don't think
I'm good for you, Pony.
-Maybe you're better
off without me. Oh, great.
-You're thinking of me?
-Yes.
Do me a favor.
Don't tell me about me.
Tell me about you.
How long is this English tour?
Three months.
Long time.
Maybe I should use that time
to think about us.
Maybe.
There's just one thing
I'd like to do before you go.
May the Great Spirit bless you.
May the Great Spirit protect...
...and guide you always.
Let your marriage
be filled with love...
...happiness, peace and harmony.
May you respect
and cherish each other.
Now and always.
It is done.
Eat?
Eat.
My father says "eat!"
Marry when the time
comes to part.
That way we keep a piece
of each other forever.
Will I see you again?
I don't know, Archie.
Like I said, three months,
it's a long time.
Who knows?
I'll look after the micks,
of course.
Jim will help me.
I'll be looking out for you.
You do that.
There he is!
Mr. Grey Owl!
How does it feel to be in England,
Mr. Grey Owl?
Wet.
Fifty venues booked so far.
Everyone wants to see you.
"The New Hiawatha."
How about that?
Have you heard any more
about these profiles?
What profiles?
Someone working
up a story on me.
Hell, Archie,
everyone's doing that now.
But never anything like this.
You really are a star.
All we need to do now is work
on what you're going to say.
I know what I'm gonna say.
I've been looking forward
to this for weeks.
I am Washaquona:
Grey Owl.
"He who flies by night."
I come to bring you...
...a single green leaf.
It comes from a faraway place.
-Has he stopped?
-I don't know.
Do you hear that?
It's called silence.
Sometimes I wake up
from this dream...
...at night...
...this nightmare
that there's no more silence.
All the land's full of roads, and all
the roads are full of motorcars...
...and everyone's sitting there,
in all this noise and stink.
I call out to them.
"Hey," I say.
"Where is it you're all
in such a hurry to get to?"
"Away," they say.
"We want to get far away."
Now look at this.
This is where I come from.
The land of Keewatin,
north wind.
They call it:
"The far wilderness."
There's nothing there.
Only green leaves...
...clear streams...
...sweet air...
...and silence.
! used to make my living
trapping beaver.
I don't do that anymore.
Guess I learned shame.
And I learned it from this lady
you're looking at now.
Her name's Anahareo.
And if it wasn't for her...
...wouldn't be here now.
Here's one reason
why I love the beavers.
You just watch this fellow.
Clumsy, comical, right?
But you just wait.
There. There, in he goes!
There, in he goes into the water!
And look at him now.
There's nothing
clumsy about that.
Beavers were made for water.
Every creature has
it's rightful place.
And in its rightful place...
...it becomes beautiful.
I'll be out by 5:30.
Hello, Archie.
Aunt Carrie.
Hello, Archie.
Aunt Ada.
Won't you come in?
We liked your book.
Didn't we, Carrie?
Oh, yes.
Some very nice turns of phrase,
we thought.
Yes.
- Did you know?
- Yes, of course.
Your picture,
so like your grandfather.
-Will you have some tea?
-Thank you.
Carrie?
You left three weeks
after your 17th birthday.
Bet you were glad
to see the back of me.
- You do, don't you?
- Yes.
We were happy to have you.
You were a Belaney. Weren't we, Carrie?
Yes.
- Carrie?
- Thank you.
After you were gone, it was...
...very quiet.
I suppose the years you were here
were the happiest years of our lives.
Oh, yes.
I didn't know.
No.
One sees these things so
much more clearly after a while.
We kept your room for you.
Ada said, "Leave it the way it is,
in case he needs to come home."
Good heavens, Carrie,
that was years ago.
You've kept my room?
Well, it's not as if
one had any other use for it.
May I see it?
Yes, of course.
We did throw away the dead snakes,
I'm afraid.
Why did my father go away?
George was like that.
He was always going away.
What happened to him?
He died in America.
He loved you, Archie.
He called you "Little Hat."
And my mother?
You mustn't blame her, dear.
She was very young.
And she had no money,
no money at all.
- She never came to see me.
- But she did.
She used to watch you play.
But we all agreed it was best
that you stayed with us.
She watched me play?
We did what we thought
was best, Archie.
But if we were wrong,
I hope you can forgive us.
Of course.
Of course.
Little Hat.
I must go.
Car's waiting.
We hear you're to see the king.
We're so proud of you.
Aren't we, Carrie?
Oh, yes.
And you do look so handsome
in your Red Indian costume.
- I never meant it to go this far.
- I know, dear.
Things have a way
of just happening.
Will you tell people?
Oh, no. We wouldn't want anyone
to misunderstand.
And there's your wilderness!
Is it really true that we might
lose it forever?
Yes, it's true.
Then you must tell everyone.
You mustn't mind...
...but I promised myself.
For all the years you gave me...
...thank you.
A crusading redskin from
Canada by the name of Grey Owl...
...has taken this
country by storm.
To crown his triumphant British
lecture tour of 50 towns and cities...
...he gave a performance at
Buckingham Palace for Their Majesties...
...and the two princesses,
Elizabeth and Margaret Rose.
The best-selling author opposes
the march of progress...
...which he says will destroy
his native lakes and forests.
And now, as he sails homeward...
...we bid farewell to this
outspoken pilgrim of the wild.
Are you writing another book,
Mr. Grey Owl?
Mr. Grey Owl,
what did you say to the king?
I asked him to stop
cutting down our trees.
What'd the king say?
He was gone a long time. Give
his friends a chance to welcome him.
Are you and your wife
still together, sir?
-Thought you'd never come home.
-I'm not home yet.
They've got plans for you.
- We're so damn proud of you.
- Thanks.
-Pony not here?
-She's--
We've booked the biggest hall
for your welcome back.
We could fill it three times over.
Our first stop is the big Indian powwow.
-You'll get one hell of a
reception there. Mr. Champlin, sir?
Excuse me, Mr. Grey Owl.
Your papers are in order, sir.
I wasn't sure you'd be here.
I missed you.
Me too.
Every day.
The big tribal get-together is in
its final day. I promised you'd show.
Why?
All the chiefs.
The biggest gathering in years.
- What's that got to do with me?
- Archie, you may not realize...
...but you are the most famous
Red Indian in the world.
These are your people.
You have to be there.
Come on, Harry, let's go.
You're sure?
I mean, "sure" sure?
Sure, I'm sure. We came over
on the boat from Liverpool together.
It must be 20 years or more.
His name is Archie Belaney.
And if he's a Red Indian,
I'm the king of China.
Aye, sure.
Never dreamt there'd be so many.
Where are they all from?
Mostly from the plains,
Cree and Sioux.
I don't want to do this, Ned.
There's nothing to it.
See that big tepee?
It's the Council of Chiefs.
Go in there, pay your respects...
...tell you're a hell of a fellow,
it's all over.
You know I can't do that.
-Archie, they're expecting you.
I never said I'd go. No one asked me.
Okay, okay.
Well, you see,
you're not just Archie anymore.
It's like...
...you speak for all of us.
Ned, give me a few moments
with Pony alone. Do you mind?
No, sure.
I'll be back in
a couple of minutes.
-Okay if we walk?
-Sure.
Pony, listen...
...I don't know how much time
I have left.
This is the worst place
I could choose to tell you this.
But I have to say it.
You know why I can't go in there?
Why?
Because I am a fake.
Did you know?
What kind of fake?
Every kind.
Okay.
I'm not Apache.
I'm not Ojibwa.
I'm English.
English?
Born in Hastings, in England.
Look, I'm sorry. I just...
...made it all up.
But why?
I used to play this game.
Went off into the woods by myself.
I knew all the names
of the tribes, everything.
It was a game, just a kid's game.
I wanted to live like an Indian.
I came to Canada, the Ojibwa
on Bear Island took me in.
I'm sorry.
I know I should
have told you before.
I almost did several times.
I guess I just didn't want
to lose you.
You loved me because
I was an Indian.
And I wanted you to love me.
You wanted me to love you?
I know it's not worth much now,
but...
...I do love you.
You never said that before.
Never.
Didn't feel like I had the right.
Oh, Archie, I don't care.
You don't care?
I fell in love with you because
you lived a different kind of life.
Everything you did was real.
Even the trapping.
And you know how I hated that.
Seemed to me that every step you
took was simple and necessary...
...and true.
Now you tell me you weren't born
to that life.
You chose it.
I love you even more for that.
Nenemoosha.
What does that word mean?
I stole it from Hiawatha.
It means "my sweetheart."
My darling.
My love.
Nenemoosha.
Archie?
Sorry to bust in, but the chiefs
are waiting to see you.
Tell them--
Tell them he's on his way.
My brother said, "It is an honor
to meet the man called Grey Owl...
...who has brought much respect
for our people."
I'm honored to be here.
My brother says,
"Men become what they dream.
You have dreamed well."
Soon we will dance. We would like
for you to dance with us.
Come in.
Excuse me, sir,
you won't know me.
Cyrus Finney, North Bay Nugget.
That's a newspaper.
Three minutes, Mr. Grey Owl.
This won't take a moment.
I'm trying to trace a fellow
by the name of Archie Belaney.
Uh-huh.
Do you know him?
Yes, I know him.
-What took you so long?
- I had to be sure.
What do you want to know?
Whatever you want to tell me.
Not much to tell.
He was just a kid with a dream
of living in the wilderness.
Well, that's a fine dream.
And no one suspected?
Even when you were
working as a guide?
If you think what I've done
is wrong, Mr. Finney...
-...you must write that in your...
-North Bay Nugget.
North Bay Nugget.
But before you do, perhaps you'll listen
to what I have to say tonight.
Never had an audience
this big before.
Makes me ask myself,
what's the big attraction?
Is it this?
Real eagle feathers.
Beautiful, isn't it?
Or this?
Ojibwa bead work.
From Bear Island...
...Lake Temagami.
Excuse me.
Or this?
A gift from the chief
of the Sioux peoples.
Or this?
I guess that's about
as far as I can go.
Is it me?
I don't think so.
I'm not entitled to wear
this war bonnet.
I'm not a hero or a prophet.
Like most of us, I've done
what I've had to do to get by.
The only thing that gives me
the courage to stand before you...
...is the knowledge, the certainty...
...that what I'm saying is crucial
to our survival.
We're not the lords of this earth.
We're its children.
We lie in the lap of creation...
...in the strong arms of a spirit
greater than our own.
You know I'm gonna say,
"Protect the beaver."
You know I'm gonna say,
"Stop cutting down the forests."
You know I'm gonna say, "The money
you get isn't worth the price you pay!"
But here's some more.
If we can say
that there are some things...
...that are not for sale...
...that there are some things that belong
to all of us and to future generations...
...then maybe other people will hear us
and begin to say it too.
And someday there'll be enough of us,
and we'll believe that it can be done...
...that we can change the world.
So why don't we start
in our own country?
In Canada. Here, tonight!
Bravo!
- Bravo!
- Bravo!
-Bravo!
-Bravol!
Bravo!
-Bravo!
-Bravol!
He never spoke in public again.
That night...
...when we watched Archie strip away
all pretense of being an Indian...
...I knew what he was saying was far
more important than who he really was.
Afterwards, he slipped silently
into the night...
...and went back to his remote
cabin on Lake Ajawaan.
He died there, suddenly, of pneumonia,
two years later in April, 1938.
In recognition of what Archie
was trying to achieve...
...the North Bay Nugget
agreed to hold my story while he lived.
They ran it the day after
he died...
...and it made front page
all over the world.
Pony never stopped campaigning
against trapping, and slowly...
...because of what
she and Archie did...
...there were laws passed
to protect the beaver.
And they returned to the lakes
and streams of Canada.
But once his true identity
was revealed...
...Archie's early warning
about the natural world...
...about keeping it safe
for future generations...
...was quickly dismissed
and then conveniently forgotten.
Only many years later...
...when the truth could no longer
be ignored...
...did he come to be seen
as a man ahead of his time.
Excuse me, sir,
you won't know me.
Cyrus Finney,
North Bay Nugget.
That's a newspaper.
Three minutes,
Mr. Grey Owl.
This won't take a moment.
I'm trying to trace a fellow
by the name of Archie Belaney.
Uh-huh.
Do you know him?
Yes, I know him.
-What took you so long?
- I had to be sure.
What do you want to know?
Whatever you want to tell me.
Not much to tell.
He was just a kid with a dream
of living in the wilderness.
And no one suspected?
Even when you were working
as a guide?
- See anything?
- Shh.
Oh, jeez.
Did I get him?
I got him, didn't I,
Archie?
Well, Mr. Champlin...
...he sure is dead.
You're real good
at what you do, Archie.
You know what?
So am I.
Sure you are, Mr. Champlin.
I own a paper mill...
...and a printing business and
a couple of book-publishing firms.
I am a rich man, Archie.
-Wouldn't you like to be rich?
-Why would I want to be rich?
What you do is you write a book.
An Indian's life in the forest.
Same as your magazine pieces,
only longer.
-That would make you famous.
-Hm.
Being famous doesn't interest me,
Mr. Champlin.
Do you know how hungry people
are out there for your world?
The authentic voice
from the wilderness.
Congratulations,
Harry. Trs bien.
- Haven't seen you in a while.
Couldn't make it last year. Too busy.
Here's to my first bear.
You want bear, you want Archie.
Here's a little something
to remember me by.
Here you are, Archie Grey Owl.
Your guide wrote this?
"The still hunt is an art
perfected by the Indian...
...who has learned from childhood
to move like a shadow.
His actions smooth as oil,
his senses set to a hair-trigger.
-For the forest is Argus-eyed."
-This is an Indian?
-Writing in a magazine?
-You want to know something?
I'm not here just to hunt bear.
This fellow could
be a gold mine.
Good evening, ladies and gentlemen.
Something for the dancers. Thank you.
Evening. Something
for the dancers?
Thank you, sir.
Oh, I never pay
till I see the goods, buddy.
How do I know if this war dance
of yours is authentic?
The more you pay,
the more authentic it gets.
- Terrific. Well done, boys.
- Ladies and gentlemen.
We call that "The Dance
of the Dead Men."
When the dance is done
and the drums fall silent...
...we hurl ourselves
upon the hated white man...
...and we kill.
But that costs extra.
Ladies and gentlemen.
I hope you've enjoyed our little show.
May I welcome you to dinner?
I read what you wrote
in that magazine. You can write.
-I'm impressed.
-You can read.
I'm impressed.
You booked today?
You want to go hunting?
No. I want to learn
about my people.
-Who's your people?
-Mohawk. Iroquois Confederacy.
First MohawkI seen
dressed like that.
Then you've never been in downtown
Val d'Or on a Saturday night.
Two bucks for the day.
Maybe something at the end
to show your appreciation.
Oh, I can't pay you.
So why should I take you?
-Men always do what I want.
-Sure.
Men jump in the lake for just
one of your smiles, right?
Right.
Be back in an hour.
Hey, you. Jump in the lake and
I'll give you 50 cents. Right now.
You got it, Pony!
Hmm.
The world of your ancestors.
My ancestors would
never have done that.
-But that's not where we're
going, is it? No. Up ahead.
Bear Island.
Ojibwa village.
See how our people live.
- Your village?
- Could say that.
Chief kind of adopted me
a long time ago.
Can I meet him?
He'll think you're my woman,
and I've brought you for him to inspect.
Then we can inspect each other.
He's up here.
I'll lead the way.
Is this what you wanted?
It's not what I expected.
It's a hard life
they have here.
You young devil.
Where have you been for so long?
Earning a living.
Good to see you.
Archie.
-You know my young brother, Ned.
-Hello, Ned. Some dancing.
Who is this you bring to see me?
My name is Gertrude Bernard.
Chief Pete Misabi.
-I'm honored, father.
-Lovely. Very lovely.
Is she new wife?
No, no, no.
Just a friend.
When the time is right,
you tell him...
...he bring you to me,
and I make the wedding.
Pete, no one's marrying anybody.
He's kind of old, you think?
-Well, he does look kind of old.
-With the life he leads...
-...what do you expect?
He's a great hunter, great trapper.
He'll provide well for you.
You think he's the kind of man
a girl can rely on?
That I cannot say.
He's a wanderer, you know?
That is why I gave him his name,
Washaquona:
Grey Owl.
"He who walks by night."
- You manage?
- Yeah, sure.
Are you really called Gertrude?
You think I'd make up
a name like that?
So, what do they call you?
Gertie?
Do I look like a Gertie?
I wouldn't know.
I'm called Pony.
My father's pet name for me.
-Don't ask me why.
-Hm.
I won't.
How about a goodbye kiss
to show my appreciation?
Sure.
That was it?
Takes two to kiss. Huh?
See you around, Archie Grey Owl.
Ned? Come on. Get a move on.
There's a wind coming up.
I wanna get back before dark.
Hey, you.
Don't I know you?
-Do me a favor, where am I?
-You're in Elk River.
-What the hell am I doing in Elk River?
-It's as far as the railroad goes.
- End of the line, eh?
- Yep, end of the line.
Hurry it up, you guys!
Friend of yours?
Never seen him before in my life.
Are you the fellow
they call Archie Grey Owl?
That's me.
I'm Jim Bernard, Pony's father.
What can I do for you?
Well, sir...
...Pony's been offered a job in Montreal.
She's supposed to start next week.
Sounds good.
But she says she's not going.
Got this Indian bug.
Wants to live like
her ancestors.
It's all moonshine.
Can't turn back the clock.
That life's aver.
-Nobody lives in
the forest anymore. I do.
How the hell do
you survive up there?
Oh, I don't need that much.
Forest looks after me.
Brave talk.
-Got my daughter all fired up.
-She wouldn't last a week.
Then why is she planning
on going up north with you?
Oh, I never said that.
What Pony wants, Pony gets.
Of course, you could always strike
camp and go before she knew it.
Then you'd be gone.
Yeah.
Yeah.
Archie.
She told me you said I could bring her.
- Are you out of your mind?
-What am I gonna do with her?
- I thought you'd want her--
Don't think.
Take her back with you in
the morning. Get her out of here.
- Sure, if that's what you want.
- That's what I want.
You're going back with Ned
in the morning.
-No.
- I didn't invite you here.
I don't want you here.
I'm telling you to go.
I'm telling you I won't.
- I don't have time
to nursemaid you. Fine. Don't.
- Then you'll die.
- So I die.
I mean it!
You don't know what
life's like here.
It's hard and it's dangerous.
Tell her, Ned.
Sure is hard and dangerous.
- This is no life for a woman.
- I'm not going.
So either you tie me up
and have Ned carry me back...
...or I stay right here.
What are you doing?
Making a torch.
What for?
Hunting.
-Can I come?
-No.
-If you don't like it,
don't watch. I'm okay.
My people were hunters once.
-You have a Mohawk name?
-Yes.
I'm named after
my great-grandmother, Anahareo.
How come you're called Archie?
I'm a half-breed.
How else do you think
I got these blue eyes?
My mother was Scottish.
I didn't know that.
You have a problem with that?
-No. No problem.
-It's all right then.
-You want some?
-Oh.
Yeah, okay.
You ever been married, Archie?
Twice.
-What happened?
-Oh, nothing.
We spent some time together.
I moved on.
Why get married if you know
you're going to leave?
Why get married if you know
you're gonna stay?
That's the old way.
Marry when the time
comes to part.
Like the warrior going to war.
Hunter leaving on
a long journey.
Just put it down there.
Thank you.
That way, you keep a piece
of each other forever.
I love it when you tell me
about the old ways.
How do you know
I'm not just making it up?
I know when you're faking it.
Oh?
Like when?
When you grunt at me
like you don't want me around.
And I know you do.
This used to be a beaver den.
Some stinking white men,
call themselves trappers...
...been using dynamite
in my territory.
No Indians would do this.
We don't take the kittens.
We don't destroy the lodges.
Soon there'll be no beaver left.
How much further?
-A good way yet.
-Getting cold.
We'll go across the lake.
Get us back before dark.
Snow's coming.
Spread your weight.
Slide.
- Don't get too near now, okay?
- Okay.
And whatever you do, don't stop.
There may be some soft spots.
You're going too fast.
I can't keep up.
Please wait!
Archie!
I can't go on.
I have to catch my breath.
Archie!
Don't move!
Archie!
Don't move,
you'll make the hole bigger!
Don't move, don't move!
Help me!
Don't move!
Don't move.
Stay still.
Look at me.
Look at me, Pony!
Don't struggle.
Don't struggle!
Stay right here. Stay with me, Pony.
Grab this belt. Grab this belt.
-Ah!
-Grab it, Pony. Grab it!
Hold on!
Don't move.
Grab it!
Come on, come on!
I can't!
-Come on.
-I can't feel my legs.
I can't feel my legs.
That's it.
That's it. You're free!
Come on!
-Help me! Come on!
-Come on!
Shh. Shh.
Hold this.
Come on. Come on.
- Stand up.
- I can't!
-Get up, Pony! Get up!
-I can't get up!
Get up! Pony, get up.
Come on, Pony, please!
Run. Come on.
Don't stop or you're gonna lock up.
Come on! Run!
Go. Run. Get up. Get up!
Get up! Get up!
Get up, get up!
Run, run, run!
Pony, keep moving.
Keep moving, Pony!
-Get up! Get up!
Get up, Pony! I can't!
You're gonna freeze. Get up.
Keep moving! Run!
I'm so sorry.
Pony, don't die on me.
Pony. Pony.
I'm such a fool.
Here we go, Pony. Here we go.
Stay warm.
Stay warm.
Nenemoosha.
-Archie?
-I'm right here.
I guess I'm not as tough
as I thought.
You did fine.
You're still alive.
-You were stroking me.
-Trying to get you warm.
I liked that.
I liked that too.
I swore I wouldn't.
Why not?
I don't know.
You're afraid I'll fall
in love with you.
Don't worry.
I can look after myself.
I guess I've always been alone.
But it's okay,
me being here now.
Isn't it?
Yes.
Better than okay.
If we can make each other happy,
Archie...
...let's do it.
It's not as if it's
so easy to find.
Yeah.
What was that word you called me?
Some Indian word.
Nenemoosha.
What's that?
It's just a word.
I like it.
What's that?
What?
That.
- It's called a dreamcatcher.
- What's it for?
They hang them up for babies...
...and newly-married couples.
Bad dreams get
caught in the web.
Good dreams go through.
-Do Mohawks have dreamcatchers?
-Sure.
And all I have is a Mohawk name.
I need more.
Best of all, beaver.
So few left,
they fetch good money.
But the season's over.
You said.
Yeah, what's here
won't even pay off my loan.
We have to live too,
you know.
There's no guarantee
anyone will buy my book.
Why won't you let me read
what you're writing?
It's not done yet.
Am I in it?
Why would you be in it?
If I was writing a book,
you'd be in it.
Yes.
You're in it.
I laid a trap here this morning.
With luck, I got us another beaver pelt.
And one up in the dam there.
That's it, the other side.
Let's see what we got here.
-Bitch!
-What is it?
Trap and chain broke free.
-The beaver got away? No,
it'll be down there with the trap.
Ten bucks shot to hell.
Goddamn.
Come on. Come on.
Beaver kittens.
Where's their mother?
She's down there in your trap,
isn't she?
She's drowned, isn't she?
Most likely.
-How are they going to live
without her? They're not.
They aren't weaned.
They'll slowly starve to death.
-Archie, no.
-Don't look.
-No!
-Never! Never do that again.
You could have
got yourself shot.
Don't worry.
Nobody's going to hurt you.
Come on.
Come on.
Come on, baby.
Come on.
They don't want it.
Why would they?
You're not their mother.
Can't you even look at them?
What for?
I'm a trapper.
Remember?
I'm not trying to get at you,
Archie.
You said it yourself,
soon there'll be no beaver left.
-We can't just leave them to die.
-Everything dies.
Flies get eaten by fish.
Fish get eaten by otters.
Otters get eaten by wolves.
I've seen a bear kill a wolf,
rip out its guts to eat.
I've seen men kill bears.
And I've seen a man
three weeks dead covered in flies.
Kill a deer for meat,
I understand that.
Kill a beaver to make yourself a coat
so you don't freeze to death...
...I understand that.
But killing as a trade, to make money?
You're better than that, Archie.
Forest Indians have always
been trappers.
-Did they always trap animals
for trade? Sure.
Archie, that's not true,
and you know it.
The old Indian way was you
killed only what you needed.
The white traders
taught us to kill for money.
We never even had money
before the white man came.
You're a woman.
You're town-raised.
You wouldn't understand.
Whatever you say, Archie.
Go back to sleep.
I don't believe this.
He likes you, Archie.
Well, I don't like him.
Then put him back on the floor.
I don't think he knows
you don"t like him.
You better make it clearer.
Get lost, fuzzy face.
That's telling him.
Archie?
-Archie?
-Yeah.
-I can't find one of the micks.
-He'll be around somewhere.
It isn't. I've got one,
but where is the other?
Mick, mick?
Mick?
Mick?
Come on.
Mick? Mick?
-Mick, mick?
-Pony.
-How far could it have got?
-Oh, quite a way.
-Can't you track it or something?
-In snow, maybe.
-But now it could be anywhere.
Might it get as far as the trap line?
No. No, way.
Oh, God.
No!
No, no.
I'm sorry.
Oh, dear Jesus,
I'm so sorry.
Archie, I found him.
He came back.
-They're playing in the cabin.
-You found him?
What happened?
You thought it was...?
Oh, yes.
Oh, Archie.
I've quit.
I know.
No more trapping.
I love you, Archie.
You all set?
You sure we've got everything?
I'm sure.
You said they hang them up for
babies and newly-married couples.
That's right.
What happens when you aren't
a baby anymore or new-married?
I guess you handle
your own dreams.
I hear you've got a girl.
News travels.
Good winter?
You tell me, Gus.
So where did you find these?
Around Abitibi way?
Hey, squaw man,
I'm talking to you.
-You have a problem?
-Yeah, I have a problem.
Some thieving redskin's
been trapping our territory.
-Now, where'd you find these pelts?
-Seventy-two.
Hey, squaw man,
don't turn your back on me.
Hey, boy.
Step out. You've been
raiding our trap lines?
No Indian does that to me!
You boys better leave.
Be seeing you around.
Ignorant savage shake in shoes.
So, Archie...
...by my tally,
you tally up 290.
You owe me another 20.
Do me a favor, Gus.
Make it $20 and the postage
for my book.
Sure.
They're the bastards that been
poaching my traps.
Wiping out the beaver.
Poison, dynamite...
...it's all the same to them.
You take care of yourself
up there, okay?
- Ladies, gentlemen.
- Pony.
- Pony.
- Thank you.
-You'll have to hurry now.
You didn't get enough for the pelts?
Couldn't even clear the old debt.
A whole winter's work,
we're still 20 bucks down.
I'm sorry.
- I don't know what we do now.
- There you go.
Come along, now. Don't worry.
- If you like to, move up, now.
- All right.
I do.
-Feathers?
-Why not?
Most Indians are like my dad,
ashamed of what they are.
Put a feather in your hair, you're
saying, "I'm Indian and proud of it."
I know that what brings
you good people...
...to Wabikon Lodge is not only
the fine cuisine...
...or the friendly service.
The man who's going
to speak to you...
...is an Ojibwa Indian who's lived
all his life in these forests.
I can't do this.
He's paying cash.
Just think of the money.
He's also the guy who wrote
those terrific articles...
...in Forest and Outdoors.
Pretty good, aren't they?
- Just talk the way you write.
- So, ladies and gentlemen...
...I give you Grey Owl.
Thank you.
I've not done too much speaking
in public before.
Tell the truth, I feel like
the snake that swallowed the icicle.
Hello, you two.
Have you come to help me out?
These little fellows
live with us.
We call them the micks.
The Ojibwa name for beaver is Ahmik,
"Little Talking Brother."
And they do talk too.
Can you say hi to everyone?
Beavers are family-minded,
you know.
A beaver pair will stay together
for life, just like us.
Some of us.
I'm not planning on holding on
to them too long.
Soon as they've grown, we'll
let them back into the wild.
Have some babies of their own.
The fact is...
...I used to trap beaver,
but a few weeks ago I quit.
Never thought I would.
Now I know it's wrong.
They're almost extinct.
Too many trappers, not enough beaver.
When the beaver have gone
from the north...
Well, maybe you don't know it...
...but these fellows make
the north the way it is.
They build their dams,
make their ponds...
...where the moose feed,
the muskrats and the waterfowl.
Come spring, they open their
dams, let the water run...
...and you've got an irrigation
system 1.600 km wide.
Take away the beaver...
...and you break the chain.
So I'm speaking up
for the beaver now.
If we don't watch out...
...they'll just
be another extinct species.
I guess I feel it more
than most because...
...well, people like me are pretty
much an extinct species too.
I guess you can get along without me,
but these little fellows...
...the world would be
a poorer place without them.
What do you have to say?
Never ask me to do that again.
You were great, Archie.
You really got to them.
How about a curtain call?
Thank you.
It's wild country, way north
of the Saskatchewan River.
We build you a cabin
the way you want it.
And the National Parks Department
pays you a monthly salary.
-National Park?
-Yeah.
All 3000 square miles of it.
Why would I want to go there?
You want to save the beaver?
You could do just that.
Establish a colony.
No danger, trapping's forbidden.
Jim wants the same as you,
Archie.
To save the beaver
before it's too late.
We need the public on our side.
We need politicians to vote funds
for the parks.
And you could really help us,
Archie.
And you'd be free to write.
What's the problem?
It's made for you.
You know why I love the forest?
I love the forest because it's
the last place men aren't in charge.
The last wilderness.
Why would I want
to be a park keeper?
Excuse me.
My name is Finney, Cyrus Finney.
I was very taken by what Grey Owl
had to say this afternoon.
You obviously know him quite well.
Would you mind if I join you?
- Did you know he played piano?
- I've heard him play. Give me that.
Where did he learn that?
I mean, what else can he do?
Why doesn't he tell me anything?
I've known Archie since I was 4,
when my father adopted him.
I'd do anything for him, but I'll never
understand him, even after all the years.
Watch out.
-So he'll never tell me anything?
-Maybe not, but I'll tell you two things.
Archie's past belongs
to him and only him.
And you? Well, you've lasted
longer than any others.
- Night, Dave.
- See you in the morning.
Take it easy, Charlie.
Good night.
Come on, hurry up.
- It's me, Sim Hancock. Hey,
Archie, it's that drunk again.
Wait a minute, it's me!
Wait.
What's happened to this place?
Never used to be full of bums.
I know it's you, you bastard!
Remember me, Archie?
- Where's Pony?
- I'll see you, Charlie.
You may have gone native,
but I know you.
- I know it's you.
-Go find Pony.
Find her now.
It's time to get out of this place.
Tell her we're leaving.
Lake Ajawaan.
Set the canoe down
by the dock, Wayne.
Well, how does it look?
Okay.
-Who built the cabin?
-Parks Department.
But it's the real thing, every detail
copied from a trapper's cabin.
Real thing, eh?
Just don't try to get me
into one of those uniforms.
It's got everything.
Good for the micks.
No hunters.
No trappers.
It's your new home now.
Come on, come on, come on.
Archie. Archie!
The micks are swimming
with me, Archie.
They're swimming with me.
Come on in.
Come on.
Come on.
There he is.
Archie Grey Owl.
-This is an honor, sir. Oh,
I have to get a picture of this.
But I can't if you're standing
so far apart. Oh, please, just--
Hawkins is from England.
Did you know you had fans in England?
I've read your articles
in Country Life, all of them.
-Country Life?
-It's a magazine.
You have many admirers
where I come from.
Here we go.
Everybody look at the camera.
Move in, Michael.
Okay, that's good.
Here we go.
Perfect.
Okay, I know.
I don't like it either.
I can't stay here.
They didn't do any harm.
I should head north.
Find some real wilderness again.
- I have to go.
-You keep saying
"I can't stay. I have to go."
You saw them.
Strolling in here as if they
own the place.
If you don't want attention,
why write a book?
If you want to be yourself,
why dye your hair?
You know?
Of course I know.
You walk back in the cabin
with your hair like that...
...how can I not know?
All right.
So I'm a fake.
Oh, Archie...
...I don't care if
you're going gray.
I don't care if you dye your
hair red, white and blue.
I love you because
of what you are...
...and because you're proud
of what you are.
Don't you know that by now?
Oh, hell, now what?
Archie.
- You remember me?
- Sure do, Mr. Champlin.
This is Walter Perry,
my promotions manager.
How do you do?
And that's Jim there. Of course,
you know him. And Bill Oliver. And...
...this.
This is for you.
Oh, my gosh.
And you must be Anahareo.
How do you know that?
Well, you're in Archie's book.
You're the heroine.
This is really something.
I can't believe I'm here.
It's as if I walked into
the pages of your book.
We sent out 50 advance copies.
The reactions are terrific.
Right off the map.
Most of all in England.
No one ever read a book
by a real Red Indian before.
I mean, it just amazes people.
-It's like...
-Like a wild animal talking?
Yes, exactly.
No. No, no, no, it's--
It's not, it's--
- I don't mean to say--
-Forget it.
It's great for us, Archie,
for the parks.
Archie's is the first voice anybody's
heard out of the wilderness.
-It's not just a voice, eh, Bill?
-You bet.
Look like you're talking to each other.
Say anything, we can't hear you.
It's a beautiful book, Archie.
I love it.
I just put down what
was happening to me, that's all.
You call me your wife.
Well, you know how it is...
...I don't want to
go offending people.
Pony, Pony. Yeah, look at me.
And smile and wave,
like you're saying, "Hi there, folks."
Get lost, folks.
I don't need much. Something to
feed the fellows writing the profile.
-What profiles?
-Oh, just the usual stuff.
I hear there's a writer out of North Bay
working up a big piece on you.
Working up? How?
Talking to people who know you.
Going to places you've been.
Let's do this.
Okay. you're Ojibwa.
We know that. And you're 40...7?
Forty-one.
-So where were you born?
- I was born in Mexico.
Hermosillo.
And what about your parents?
My father was a Scotsman,
scout in the Indian wars.
My mother was an Apache,
Jicarilla band.
Apache?
Wait, so you're not Ojibwa?
No, I lived with the Bear
Island Ojibwa for 13 years.
Everything I know
I learned from them.
-So your father--
-Parents are both dead.
-Leave it at that, shall we?
-Sure.
Your book is gonna be very big
in England, Archie.
We want to lay on a major
promotional tour. We want you there.
-England?
-You appear in full Indian rig.
You speak, we show Bill's film.
They'll be crazy for you.
-No.
-You don't mean that.
You're an author with something to say.
You want people to hear it, don't you?
Canada is part of the British Empire.
London is where the power is.
-We'll look after you.
-No, forget it.
What's the problem?
You want me...
You want me to stand up there and
be stared at like some circus freak?
-Why would I want to do that?
-Why did you write the book?
To make a difference.
So now maybe you have to put
feathers in your hair.
Remember?
You want me to go?
No, Archie.
But everybody has a moment.
And right now,
there isn't anyone else.
Okay, I'll go.
-You told them your father
was Scottish. So?
You told me it was your mother
who was Scottish.
No, my father.
At Abitibi, last winter,
when you were cutting up the deer.
-I remember it clearly.
-You saying I'm lying?
-No! I should know who
my real father was.
-Yes, of course. What's a guy
have to do to be alone?
-You want to be alone?
It's not you, it's just how I am.
Yeah, I know.
You're a loner.
You have to live in the wilderness.
I hear it every day. Great.
-So, what am I doing here?
-That's up to you.
-Up to me?
-Do what you want.
-If you want to go, go! Jesus,
Archie, do I have to do it all?
All the loving and
all the leaving?
I guess I thought
I could change you.
Stupid.
I wanted to believe two people
can get to know each other...
...and not have to be alone.
That's it.
Your turn.
What am I supposed to say?
If you don't know, then you're not
supposed to say a thing, Archie.
Not a damn thing.
I don't think
I'm good for you, Pony.
-Maybe you're better
off without me. Oh, great.
-You're thinking of me?
-Yes.
Do me a favor.
Don't tell me about me.
Tell me about you.
How long is this English tour?
Three months.
Long time.
Maybe I should use that time
to think about us.
Maybe.
There's just one thing
I'd like to do before you go.
May the Great Spirit bless you.
May the Great Spirit protect...
...and guide you always.
Let your marriage
be filled with love...
...happiness, peace and harmony.
May you respect
and cherish each other.
Now and always.
It is done.
Eat?
Eat.
My father says "eat!"
Marry when the time
comes to part.
That way we keep a piece
of each other forever.
Will I see you again?
I don't know, Archie.
Like I said, three months,
it's a long time.
Who knows?
I'll look after the micks,
of course.
Jim will help me.
I'll be looking out for you.
You do that.
There he is!
Mr. Grey Owl!
How does it feel to be in England,
Mr. Grey Owl?
Wet.
Fifty venues booked so far.
Everyone wants to see you.
"The New Hiawatha."
How about that?
Have you heard any more
about these profiles?
What profiles?
Someone working
up a story on me.
Hell, Archie,
everyone's doing that now.
But never anything like this.
You really are a star.
All we need to do now is work
on what you're going to say.
I know what I'm gonna say.
I've been looking forward
to this for weeks.
I am Washaquona:
Grey Owl.
"He who flies by night."
I come to bring you...
...a single green leaf.
It comes from a faraway place.
-Has he stopped?
-I don't know.
Do you hear that?
It's called silence.
Sometimes I wake up
from this dream...
...at night...
...this nightmare
that there's no more silence.
All the land's full of roads, and all
the roads are full of motorcars...
...and everyone's sitting there,
in all this noise and stink.
I call out to them.
"Hey," I say.
"Where is it you're all
in such a hurry to get to?"
"Away," they say.
"We want to get far away."
Now look at this.
This is where I come from.
The land of Keewatin,
north wind.
They call it:
"The far wilderness."
There's nothing there.
Only green leaves...
...clear streams...
...sweet air...
...and silence.
! used to make my living
trapping beaver.
I don't do that anymore.
Guess I learned shame.
And I learned it from this lady
you're looking at now.
Her name's Anahareo.
And if it wasn't for her...
...wouldn't be here now.
Here's one reason
why I love the beavers.
You just watch this fellow.
Clumsy, comical, right?
But you just wait.
There. There, in he goes!
There, in he goes into the water!
And look at him now.
There's nothing
clumsy about that.
Beavers were made for water.
Every creature has
it's rightful place.
And in its rightful place...
...it becomes beautiful.
I'll be out by 5:30.
Hello, Archie.
Aunt Carrie.
Hello, Archie.
Aunt Ada.
Won't you come in?
We liked your book.
Didn't we, Carrie?
Oh, yes.
Some very nice turns of phrase,
we thought.
Yes.
- Did you know?
- Yes, of course.
Your picture,
so like your grandfather.
-Will you have some tea?
-Thank you.
Carrie?
You left three weeks
after your 17th birthday.
Bet you were glad
to see the back of me.
- You do, don't you?
- Yes.
We were happy to have you.
You were a Belaney. Weren't we, Carrie?
Yes.
- Carrie?
- Thank you.
After you were gone, it was...
...very quiet.
I suppose the years you were here
were the happiest years of our lives.
Oh, yes.
I didn't know.
No.
One sees these things so
much more clearly after a while.
We kept your room for you.
Ada said, "Leave it the way it is,
in case he needs to come home."
Good heavens, Carrie,
that was years ago.
You've kept my room?
Well, it's not as if
one had any other use for it.
May I see it?
Yes, of course.
We did throw away the dead snakes,
I'm afraid.
Why did my father go away?
George was like that.
He was always going away.
What happened to him?
He died in America.
He loved you, Archie.
He called you "Little Hat."
And my mother?
You mustn't blame her, dear.
She was very young.
And she had no money,
no money at all.
- She never came to see me.
- But she did.
She used to watch you play.
But we all agreed it was best
that you stayed with us.
She watched me play?
We did what we thought
was best, Archie.
But if we were wrong,
I hope you can forgive us.
Of course.
Of course.
Little Hat.
I must go.
Car's waiting.
We hear you're to see the king.
We're so proud of you.
Aren't we, Carrie?
Oh, yes.
And you do look so handsome
in your Red Indian costume.
- I never meant it to go this far.
- I know, dear.
Things have a way
of just happening.
Will you tell people?
Oh, no. We wouldn't want anyone
to misunderstand.
And there's your wilderness!
Is it really true that we might
lose it forever?
Yes, it's true.
Then you must tell everyone.
You mustn't mind...
...but I promised myself.
For all the years you gave me...
...thank you.
A crusading redskin from
Canada by the name of Grey Owl...
...has taken this
country by storm.
To crown his triumphant British
lecture tour of 50 towns and cities...
...he gave a performance at
Buckingham Palace for Their Majesties...
...and the two princesses,
Elizabeth and Margaret Rose.
The best-selling author opposes
the march of progress...
...which he says will destroy
his native lakes and forests.
And now, as he sails homeward...
...we bid farewell to this
outspoken pilgrim of the wild.
Are you writing another book,
Mr. Grey Owl?
Mr. Grey Owl,
what did you say to the king?
I asked him to stop
cutting down our trees.
What'd the king say?
He was gone a long time. Give
his friends a chance to welcome him.
Are you and your wife
still together, sir?
-Thought you'd never come home.
-I'm not home yet.
They've got plans for you.
- We're so damn proud of you.
- Thanks.
-Pony not here?
-She's--
We've booked the biggest hall
for your welcome back.
We could fill it three times over.
Our first stop is the big Indian powwow.
-You'll get one hell of a
reception there. Mr. Champlin, sir?
Excuse me, Mr. Grey Owl.
Your papers are in order, sir.
I wasn't sure you'd be here.
I missed you.
Me too.
Every day.
The big tribal get-together is in
its final day. I promised you'd show.
Why?
All the chiefs.
The biggest gathering in years.
- What's that got to do with me?
- Archie, you may not realize...
...but you are the most famous
Red Indian in the world.
These are your people.
You have to be there.
Come on, Harry, let's go.
You're sure?
I mean, "sure" sure?
Sure, I'm sure. We came over
on the boat from Liverpool together.
It must be 20 years or more.
His name is Archie Belaney.
And if he's a Red Indian,
I'm the king of China.
Aye, sure.
Never dreamt there'd be so many.
Where are they all from?
Mostly from the plains,
Cree and Sioux.
I don't want to do this, Ned.
There's nothing to it.
See that big tepee?
It's the Council of Chiefs.
Go in there, pay your respects...
...tell you're a hell of a fellow,
it's all over.
You know I can't do that.
-Archie, they're expecting you.
I never said I'd go. No one asked me.
Okay, okay.
Well, you see,
you're not just Archie anymore.
It's like...
...you speak for all of us.
Ned, give me a few moments
with Pony alone. Do you mind?
No, sure.
I'll be back in
a couple of minutes.
-Okay if we walk?
-Sure.
Pony, listen...
...I don't know how much time
I have left.
This is the worst place
I could choose to tell you this.
But I have to say it.
You know why I can't go in there?
Why?
Because I am a fake.
Did you know?
What kind of fake?
Every kind.
Okay.
I'm not Apache.
I'm not Ojibwa.
I'm English.
English?
Born in Hastings, in England.
Look, I'm sorry. I just...
...made it all up.
But why?
I used to play this game.
Went off into the woods by myself.
I knew all the names
of the tribes, everything.
It was a game, just a kid's game.
I wanted to live like an Indian.
I came to Canada, the Ojibwa
on Bear Island took me in.
I'm sorry.
I know I should
have told you before.
I almost did several times.
I guess I just didn't want
to lose you.
You loved me because
I was an Indian.
And I wanted you to love me.
You wanted me to love you?
I know it's not worth much now,
but...
...I do love you.
You never said that before.
Never.
Didn't feel like I had the right.
Oh, Archie, I don't care.
You don't care?
I fell in love with you because
you lived a different kind of life.
Everything you did was real.
Even the trapping.
And you know how I hated that.
Seemed to me that every step you
took was simple and necessary...
...and true.
Now you tell me you weren't born
to that life.
You chose it.
I love you even more for that.
Nenemoosha.
What does that word mean?
I stole it from Hiawatha.
It means "my sweetheart."
My darling.
My love.
Nenemoosha.
Archie?
Sorry to bust in, but the chiefs
are waiting to see you.
Tell them--
Tell them he's on his way.
My brother said, "It is an honor
to meet the man called Grey Owl...
...who has brought much respect
for our people."
I'm honored to be here.
My brother says,
"Men become what they dream.
You have dreamed well."
Soon we will dance. We would like
for you to dance with us.
Come in.
Excuse me, sir,
you won't know me.
Cyrus Finney, North Bay Nugget.
That's a newspaper.
Three minutes, Mr. Grey Owl.
This won't take a moment.
I'm trying to trace a fellow
by the name of Archie Belaney.
Uh-huh.
Do you know him?
Yes, I know him.
-What took you so long?
- I had to be sure.
What do you want to know?
Whatever you want to tell me.
Not much to tell.
He was just a kid with a dream
of living in the wilderness.
Well, that's a fine dream.
And no one suspected?
Even when you were
working as a guide?
If you think what I've done
is wrong, Mr. Finney...
-...you must write that in your...
-North Bay Nugget.
North Bay Nugget.
But before you do, perhaps you'll listen
to what I have to say tonight.
Never had an audience
this big before.
Makes me ask myself,
what's the big attraction?
Is it this?
Real eagle feathers.
Beautiful, isn't it?
Or this?
Ojibwa bead work.
From Bear Island...
...Lake Temagami.
Excuse me.
Or this?
A gift from the chief
of the Sioux peoples.
Or this?
I guess that's about
as far as I can go.
Is it me?
I don't think so.
I'm not entitled to wear
this war bonnet.
I'm not a hero or a prophet.
Like most of us, I've done
what I've had to do to get by.
The only thing that gives me
the courage to stand before you...
...is the knowledge, the certainty...
...that what I'm saying is crucial
to our survival.
We're not the lords of this earth.
We're its children.
We lie in the lap of creation...
...in the strong arms of a spirit
greater than our own.
You know I'm gonna say,
"Protect the beaver."
You know I'm gonna say,
"Stop cutting down the forests."
You know I'm gonna say, "The money
you get isn't worth the price you pay!"
But here's some more.
If we can say
that there are some things...
...that are not for sale...
...that there are some things that belong
to all of us and to future generations...
...then maybe other people will hear us
and begin to say it too.
And someday there'll be enough of us,
and we'll believe that it can be done...
...that we can change the world.
So why don't we start
in our own country?
In Canada. Here, tonight!
Bravo!
- Bravo!
- Bravo!
-Bravo!
-Bravol!
Bravo!
-Bravo!
-Bravol!
He never spoke in public again.
That night...
...when we watched Archie strip away
all pretense of being an Indian...
...I knew what he was saying was far
more important than who he really was.
Afterwards, he slipped silently
into the night...
...and went back to his remote
cabin on Lake Ajawaan.
He died there, suddenly, of pneumonia,
two years later in April, 1938.
In recognition of what Archie
was trying to achieve...
...the North Bay Nugget
agreed to hold my story while he lived.
They ran it the day after
he died...
...and it made front page
all over the world.
Pony never stopped campaigning
against trapping, and slowly...
...because of what
she and Archie did...
...there were laws passed
to protect the beaver.
And they returned to the lakes
and streams of Canada.
But once his true identity
was revealed...
...Archie's early warning
about the natural world...
...about keeping it safe
for future generations...
...was quickly dismissed
and then conveniently forgotten.
Only many years later...
...when the truth could no longer
be ignored...
...did he come to be seen
as a man ahead of his time.