In childhood, proper behavior was instilled largely by indirect and non-coercive means, in striking contrast to European child-rearing techniques. So for example, discipline was more often administered by ridicule and warning than with blows and deprivation. A Plains Cree boy who was in the habit of throwing himself on his back and hollering if dissatisfied with his food soon found himself broken of the habit by parents who arranged to embarrass rather than punish him directly. His parents placed a container of water behind him at mealtime, and when the youngster flung himself backward in a fit of pique, he drenched himself and percipitated laughter at his own expense from everyone around him.

Not dissimilar in spirit was the use of storytelling to reprove disobedient children indirectly. Carrier children who misbehaved during the day would probably find their offensive conduct ignored at the time. However, when evening came and the household settled down, ‘the old head man from his couch at the back would begin a story to which everyone lent respectful attention.’ The plot would eventually wend its way to a situation that closely resembled the children’s anti-social behavior earlier in the day. The storyteller would turn to a culprit and ask, ‘Did you do such and such a thing today? When confession was forthcoming, the old man would continue his tale, emphasizing the punishment that the deity or some natural force meted out for ‘this breach of the customary law. Men still surviving state that the shame and humiliation inflicted by this method were harder to endure, and more efficacious, than the most severe corporal punishment.’ There was never any shortage of inspiring examples of horrible cautionary tales in a family’s store of myths and legends with which to teach, gently but effectively, what was and what was not acceptable conduct by the youngest members of the community.