What are the motifs in Two Old Women: An Alaska Legend of Betrayal, Courage, and Survival by Velma Wallis?

Independence is a recurring idea in the story. At the beginning of the story, the two old women have become as dependent on the younger generation as children. They are accustomed to having their firewood gathered for them and fires built in the morning before they awaken. When The People move, which they do frequently, the two old women expect the younger people to put up their tents and help them with their belongings.