Alfred Packer Written by: Hugo Hanriot Illustrated by: Jake Roth Teacher Guide by: Tim Smyth
Discussion Questions Elementary *Do you think animals exist in nature that have not yet been found by scientists? *Do you know of any legendary monsters that people claim exist? Do you think they are real?
MS/HS *Do you think animals/monsters exist in nature that have not yet been found by scientists? *How many cultural/regional monsters (i.e. crypto-zoology) can you name? (example: Loch Ness Monster) *Can you make connections to fairy-tales? *Why do you think that so many creatures have been created and shared in cultures and even fairy-tales? Do you notice any similarities or patterns in these creatures?
Comic Analysis *Panel 1.1 – describe the feelings of the people portrayed in this image. What is the tone of the story? *Panel 1.2 – How does the artist introduce the Wendigo into the story? Do you believe it is literally there? *Panel 1.3 – What has changed with the illustration of the Wendigo? *Panel 1.4 – What has changed with the illustration of the Wendigo? *Panel 1.5 – What has changed with the illustration of the Wendigo over time? Why do you think this is happening? *Panel 1.5 – How do the townspeople feel towards Alfred Packer? Why do they feel this way? *Panel 2.1 – What do you notice about the placement of the Wendigo? Why is it over the mob of men? *Panel 2.1 – Describe the feelings of Packer – how do you know? *Panel 2.2 – What do you notice about the Wendigo? “I took parts of ‘em with me just for survival” – what do you think Packer means by this statement? *Panel 2.3 - What do you notice about the Wendigo? Why do you think this happened? *Panel 2.5 – the story has come full-circle. Why do you think Chief Ignacio is telling this story? (What is the moral of the story?)
Lesson Ideas by Content Area Social Studies *Conduct research of Chief Ignacio, Chief Ouray, and the Ute Tribe. What is their role in history? Where did they live? *Is there a Ute Reservation today? Is the Ute Tribe still in existence? (Use http://utepac.com/contact-us-tribe/ as a great jumping off point) *Research Montrose and Breckenridge, Colorado and its geographic features. What is the weather like today? How did this play a part in the story portrayed in this comic? *Research the details surrounding Alfred Packer and his recounting of the doomed prospecting trip. Is he guilty or innocent? (This could be set up as a debate, small research paper, or presentation).
* After the research and discussions are complete, why do you think the idea of the Wendigo was created in the first place? Do you think it exists? Using specific textual evidence, write a position paper defending your opinion.
English Language Arts * After the research and discussions are complete, why do you think the idea of the Wendigo was created in the first place? Do you think it exists? Using specific textual evidence, write a position paper defending your opinion. *Students will craft a poem or short story on a modern-day creature of their creation.
Art *Students can draw their own representation of the Wendigo using evidence found in research. *Students can design their own fictional creature.
Film/TV Lab *Analyze video of creature sightings from around the world (a quick YouTube search will pull up many) – and discuss the believability of each. What are similarities between the films? What makes some more believable than others?
Resources
*http://www.animalplanet.com/tv-shows/lost-tapes/creatures/wendigo/ - detailed descriptions of the Wendigo *https://www.prairieghosts.com/wendigo.html – short summary of the origins of the Wendigo legend and even a hunter of this creature. *https://www.legendsofamerica.com/mn-wendigo/ - fascinating info on the Wendigo legend – complete with primary source interviews and historical accounts of interactions with the creature. *https://www.theepochtimes.com/big-foot-isnt-the-only-elusive-creature-said-to-roam-the-canadian-wilds- videos-of-wendigo-ogopogo-sightings_548954.html – detailed information on several of Canada’s mythical creatures. *https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Alferd_Packer – detailed information on Packer – including when he has been represented in a musical, on South Park, and other instances in pop culture. *https://www.history.com/this-day-in-history/cannibal-alfred-packer-is-paroled – short and detailed information of when Packer was caught and the differing stories he gave to authorities on the events of his trip. *http://www.museumtrail.org/alferd-packer.html – information on Packer and his accounts of the trip. *http://www.lakecity.com/mountain-town-activities/historic-attractions/17-things-to-do/history/11-alferd- packer – more information on the accounts Packer gave to authorities and the scientific research done to confirm the events. *https://www.coloradovirtuallibrary.org/digital-colorado/colorado-histories/beginnings/alferd-packer- notorious-cannibal/more detailed information on Packer. *https://www.colorado.edu/umc/dining/alferd-packer – from the University of Colorado’s website – their central campus grille is named after the cannibal Packer – you can’t make this up! Alfred Packer and the Curse of Wetiko – by Hugo Hanriot
Alfred Packer and the Curse of Wetiko By Hugo Hanriot A 2 page Comic Script Revised 01/13/17
ART NOTES: Wetiko is another word for Wendigo, which may be the more popular term for this entity. In Native American cultures, Wetiko is a cannibalistic monster or spirit. In essence, it is a metaphysical parasite, feeding off the souls of man. Wendigo has been depicted as a beast and was even a creature in the Marvel Universe. Wetiko is more of a disembodied apparition.
Wetiko appears as a taupe, smoky, Gollum-like ghost. It has claws, fangs, and a haunting, demonic face. Wetiko has shark-black eyes and reptilian pinhole nostrils. Its mouth is misshapen, suggestive, and always open. Its Hungry Ghost cravings are never satisfied. This spirit is always ready to feed off its unwitting hosts.
All references are in order at the end of the script. There are many GROUP SHOTS in this comic. Let the artist decide on angles and framing details.
PAGE ONE – FIVE PANELS
PANEL 1: BIRD’S EYE CROWD SHOT. The sun sets over Ute campfire. Mountains loom in the background, beyond the snow-covered ground. Utes sit on logs, surrounded by light-tan teepees.
Chief Ignacio stands tall among them. A loose, spiraling, taupe plume of smoke hangs over the Utes.
1. CAPTION: Ute Mountain, Colorado - February 1904. Chief Ignacio speaks.
2. IGNACIO: Twenty winters ago, a great evil made its presence known.
PANEL 2: A MID-SHOT of Chief Ignacio stands in the FOREGROUND. Campfire flames brighten his grim face. A GROUP SHOT of the Utes sitting in the BACKGROUND.
Hovering over Ignacio’s left shoulder is the smoky, spiraling taupe cloud. Abstract, phantasmal shapes of Wetiko’s eyes, fangs, claws, etc. are floating inside smoke.
3. IGNACIO: Tribes of the North call it Wendigo, or Wetiko. A parasite of the mind that feeds on excess, desire, and greed.
4. IGNACIO: Wetiko energy is cunning and insidious. It led to the frightful demise of five prospectors.
Alfred Packer and the Curse of Wetiko – by Hugo Hanriot
PAGE ONE – FIVE PANELS (CONT’D)
PANEL 3: FULL GROUP SHOT. Chief Ouray is in the FOREGROUND. He welcomes Alfred Packer and five other prospectors with open arms. The prospectors have long hair, beards, and goatees. They dress like laborers of the late 1800’s. A horse carries their supplies.
The Wetiko cloud floats high above them. Its demonic features are less abstract and more obvious. Teepees, snow, and mountains are in the BACKGROUND.
5. CAPTION: The Montrose, Colorado area - January 21, 1874.
6. IGNACIO (OP): They showed up at Chief Ouray’s camp, on a quest for gold. Harsh winter weather had come, making the mountains dangerous.
7. IGNACIO (OP): Chief Ouray advised them to stay until spring.
PANEL 4: GROUP SHOT of Packer, the five prospectors, and their horse. They turn their backs on Chief Ouray and the Ute camp. Wetiko has reached its final form. It hovers closer to the agitated, impatient prospectors. Ouray watches them leave with a somber, foreboding look.
8. CAPTION: February 9th, 1874.
9. IGNACIO (OP): Consumed by their desire for riches, the prospectors grew restless. They ignored Chief Ouray’s warning and left for the mountains.
PANEL 5: GROUP SHOT. Packer stands outside of The Saguache Trading Post. Edging closer, Wetiko floats above him. Packer smiles at the fanned out dollar bills in his hands. He holsters a large skinning knife on his hip.
Next to the Trading Post is Dolan’s Saloon. Men outside of the Saloon scowl at Packer. The artist decides on how many scowling men to include in the panel. See the references below for details on Saguache’s rectangular storefronts.
10. CAPTION: Saguache, Colorado - April 1874.
11. IGNACIO (OP): That spring, only one man returned. His name was Alfred Packer.
12. IGNACIO (OP): Packer was well-fed, flaunting unusual amounts of money. He carried a knife that belonged to one of the other prospectors.
Alfred Packer and the Curse of Wetiko – by Hugo Hanriot
PAGE TWO – FIVE PANELS
PANEL 1: GROUP SHOT. The angry, scowling men from Dolan’s Saloon have Packer cuffed. Wetiko hovers over the mob, away from Packer. Packer looks scared and confused. A hangman’s noose dangles from a tree branch in the background, off to the side.
General Charles Adams stands between Packer and the men. Adams is frantic, waving his hands to stop them from hanging Packer. Bespectacled, with a thick mustache and goatee, he wears a navy blue military uniform of the time. There are two rows of brass buttons on his coat and shoulder cuffs.
1. IGNACIO (OP): Men from Dolan’s Saloon recognized the knife. They saw through his lies. Something foul was afoot.
2. IGNACIO (OP): Overwhelmed by their lust for vengeance, the men decided to hang Packer.
3. IGNACIO (OP): General Charles Adams, an honorable man, believed in justice. He saved him from the mob.
PANEL 2: MID GROUP SHOT. Packer sits at a wooden table. He is inside a makeshift log cabin jail. Packer holds a fountain pen. There is a piece of paper on the table. Packer’s cold eyes reflect heartless psychopathy. Wetiko floats above him.
General Adams and a lieutenant are standing behind Packer. Their mouths hang in horror and disbelief. The iron bars of a jail door is off to the right. A window is behind them on the left.
4. IGNACIO (OP): Packer told General Adams his gruesome story.
5. PACKER: We was starving in the cold. The men started killin’ each other for food. But I only killed one, in self-defense.
6. PACKER: I took parts of ‘em with me, just for survival. They didn’t need their money no more, so I took that, too.
PANEL 3: GROUP SHOT. General Adams and his lieutenant are in the woods with Packer. From a WORMS EYE VIEW, Packer lunges at them with a knife. Wetiko engulfs Packer like a smoky ethereal suit. Packer and Wetiko are one.
7. IGNACIO (OP): The General gave him a chance to prove his innocence…
8. IGNACIO (OP): …but when Packer led them to the bodies, his impulses got the best of him.
Alfred Packer and the Curse of Wetiko – by Hugo Hanriot
PAGE TWO – FIVE PANELS (CONT’D)
PANEL 4: ONE SHOT of the empty, makeshift, log cabin jail. The cell door is wide open. The chair and table are overturned. Papers, the pen, and spilt ink are flung around the room. The window is smashed, the front door to the cabin is off its hinges.
9. IGNACIO (OP): They restrained him and locked him in a cell, but he escaped. Packer was found years later.
10. IGNACIO (OP): Through a twist of fate, his life was spared. After 18 years in prison, he was released.
11. IGNACIO (OP): Packer died a shortly after with a worried, troubled mind.
PANEL 5: GROUP SHOT of Ignacio standing over the Utes. The campfire illuminates him, giving Ignacio a mystic, transcendent presence. The abstract, taupe plume of smoke spirals away. The Utes sitting around Ignacio are enthralled.
12. IGNACIO: We will never truly know what happened that winter. But we know of shadows cast by Wetiko’s unfettered desire.
13. IGNACIO: Light must shine upon these dark forces, lest we be consumed by them.
14. IGNACIO: May we live content, at peace, in balance with Nature. * NANA- MA!
15. THE UTES: * NANA-MA!
16. CAPTION: * Together.
Visual References
Chief Ignacio: Alfred Packer and the Curse of Wetiko – by Hugo Hanriot
Ute Tribe and Teepee:
Chief Ouray: Alfred Packer and the Curse of Wetiko – by Hugo Hanriot
Alfred Packer:
Saguache, CO: Alfred Packer and the Curse of Wetiko – by Hugo Hanriot
General Charles Adams:
Links and Info
Alfred Packer: https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Alferd_Packer http://www.museumtrail.org/alferd-packer.html http://www.history.com/this-day-in-history/cannibal-alfred-packer-is-paroled
CO Utes: Alfred Packer and the Curse of Wetiko – by Hugo Hanriot
https://www.pinterest.com/coolwaterfarm/ute-tribe/?lp=true https://www.nps.gov/parkhistory/online_books/romo/buchholtz/chap1.htm
Chief Ignacio: https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Chief_Ignacio
Wetiko: http://www.filmsforaction.org/watch/wetiko-the-cannibalistic-disease-consuming-our-planet-and- society/
Chief Ouray: https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Ouray_(Ute_leader)
General Charles Adams: https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Charles_Adams_(Colorado)
Nana-Ma: Ute word for “together”: https://books.google.com/books?id=DcMp64bF634C&pg=PA6&lpg=PA6&dq=ute+word+Nana- ma&source=bl&ots=ElLluvWB9P&sig=K5jExYxWod4N2UOcntl_4T4okEs&hl=en&sa=X&ved=
0ahUKEwiU2eXdvL3YAhVW_WMKHXmRDTUQ6AEIMDAB#v=onepage&q=ute%20word%2
0Nana-ma&f=false