Trappers of the Northland

The Red Feather Saga

De: David Erickson

Narrado por: Virtual Voice

In the unforgiving wilds of northern Canada in 1707, a rugged trapper and trader named Francis Conner found an unlikely love in Adla, a beautiful Native woman whose name meant "beautiful." Their union was sealed in a traditional Native wedding ceremony, and nine months later, they welcomed a son into the world - a little boy with a shock of red hair they named Franky Red Feather.

The young family built a cozy cabin deep in the remote wilderness, where Franky spent his formative years learning the ways of the trapper from his father. However, when Franky was just five years old, a raging fever nearly claimed his life. Francis had to carry the gravely ill boy 50 kilometers through a blinding snowstorm to reach the nearest medical facilities. Adla was sick with worry, but her son proved to be a fighter and recovered after receiving treatment.

As he grew older, Franky became a skilled trapper in his own right. One of his first major conquests was subduing and skinning a fierce wolverine, with his father's guidance. Francis's reputation as an expert fur trader spread far and wide, and as a teenager, Franky struck out on his own, building a successful trapping business that competed with his father's operation.

However, a rift formed between father and son as Franky became increasingly disillusioned by Francis's treatment of Adla. Unable to have more children after Franky's birth, Adla was often neglected and disrespected by her unfaithful husband, who was frequently away on business. Franky's anger toward his father grew, and eventually, the heartbroken Adla left Francis.

Distraught over his family's fracture, Franky found solace in an unexpected place - a small Pentecostal church in Prince George. There, he gave his heart to Jesus and became a devoted follower, even convincing his mother to join the congregation and find peace in her newfound faith. Franky pleaded with his estranged father to return home and make amends, but the stubborn Francis, a lifelong Catholic, remained skeptical of the Pentecostal ways.

Franky's life took a joyous turn when he met and married a beautiful Christian woman named Julie. To his delight, Francis and Adla reconciled to attend the wedding in Prince George. Though still uncertain about religion, Francis was overjoyed to welcome grandchildren when Franky and Julie had twins, a boy and a girl.

Franky continued his life as a trapper and trader, sometimes leaving for extended periods much to Julie's chagrin. On one such lengthy expedition deep in the northern wilds, disaster struck - Franky was caught in a massive avalanche. He awoke battered, half-frozen, and alone, rescued by a lone French-speaking trapper who nursed him back to health in a remote cabin.

With no way to communicate, Franky eventually regained his strength and set out to find his way home, following the trapper's directions toward the main trade routes. He arrived back at their cabin to find it empty, assuming Julie had taken the twins to her parents' home in Prince George while he was missing.

Franky's harrowing reunion with his wife and children was a joyous one, but it also marked a turning point. Realizing how easily his life could have been lost, he rededicated himself to his family and his faith. In the years that followed, Franky and Julie raised the twins to be powerful ministers of the gospel, their lives forever shaped by the trials and tribulations that had brought them closer to God's light.