Margaret Craver's novel, I Heard the Owl Call My Name, is the story of a
             terminally ill young ordinand, Mark Brian, who is sent by his bishop to Kingcome on
             patrol of the Indian villages. There, as the Bishop had hoped, he learns enough of the
             In life people should give and share. Mark learned how to give unselfishly
             without expecting anything in return. In order to survive the winter no woman said, "I am
             sorry. I have only enough fuel for my own family," and no man said, "It is true that I
             have shot a deer. I am freezing what I do not need now. I cannot share with you, friend."
             (p. 712) "There is no word for thank you in Kwakwala." (p. 665) The Indians thanked
             each other with their actions and by giving. At the great dance-potlatches the "Indians
             families gave all they had." (p. 687) Jim said, "Even when I was a small boy stoves,
             refrigerators and washing machines were given as gifts." (p. 687)
             In life it takes time for people to trust and accept you. During the time Mark lived
             with the Kwakiutl that it takes a while for the Indians to accept outsiders. Mark must earn
             the Indians trust to get them to help him to build the vicarage. Chief Eddy said, "the men
             have ask me to tell you that when you are ready to build a new vicarage, they will help
             you." At this point Mark new the Indians had excepted him. The Bishop said, "You
             suffered with them, and now you are theirs, and nothing will ever be the same again."
             Another truth about life is that death is natural. By watching the swimmer, Mark
             learns that death is a natural thing. When talking about death Marta said, "It is not sad. It
             is natural." (p. 675) By observing the salmon, Mark learned as did the Indians that "The
             whole life of the swimmer is one of courage a
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