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FROM TIME IMMEMORIAL: INDIGENOUS PEOPLES AND STATE SYSTEMS
THE NATIVE AMERICAN LOOK BOOK (Art and Activities from the Brooklyn Museum)
AMERICAN INDIAN QUOTATIONS
THE IROQUOIS (The Peoples of America Series)
THE GREAT CANOES: REVIVING A NORTHWEST COAST TRADITION
NATIVE AMERICA IN THE TWENTIETH CENTURY: AN ENCYCLOPEDIA
THE SIX NATIONS OF NEW YORK: MOHAWK, ONEIDAS, ONONDAGAS, CAUGAS,
SENECAS, TUSCARORARAS: THE 1892 EXTRA CENSUS BULLETIN
THE WOODLAND INDIANS: AN ILLUSTRATED ACCOUNT OF THE LIFESTYLES OF
AMERICA’S FIRST
INHABITANTS
A CENTURY OF DISHONOR: A SKETCH OF THE UNITED STATES GOVERNMENT’S
DEALINGS WITH SOME
OF THE INDIAN TRIBES
WALKER'S JOURNEY HOME
GRANDMOTHER FIVE BASKETS
PICTURE BEADED EARRINGS FOR BEGINNERS: WITH EASY, SIMPLE STEP-BY-STEP
FOLLOW-ALONG
INSTRUCTIONS
WILLY WHITEFEATHER'S RIVER BOOK FOR KIDS
WILLY WHITEFEATHER'S OUTDOOR SURVIVAL HANDBOOK FOR KIDS
PLAINS INDIAN AND MOUNTAIN MAN ARTS AND CRAFTS II: AN ILLUSTRATED GUIDE
SOFT CHILD: HOW RATTLESNAKE GOT ITS FANGS: A NATIVE AMERICAN FOLKTALE
SACRED PLANT MEDICINE: EXPLORATIONS IN THE PRACTICE OF INDIGENOUS
HERBALISM
DANCING ON COMMON GROUND: TRIBAL CULTURES AND ALLIANCES ON THE
SOUTHERN PLAINS
REUBEN SNAKE: YOUR HUMBLE SERPENT: INDIAN VISIONARY AND ACTIVIST
THE ASCENT OF CHIEFS: CAHOKIA AND MISSISSIPPIAN POLITICS IN NATIVE NORTH
AMERICA
THE CREEK WAR OF 1813 AND 1814
CHEROKEES AND MISSIONARIES, 1789-1839
FRIENDS OF THUNDER: FOLKTALES OF THE OKLAHOMA CHEROKEES
GRANDMOTHER SPIDER BRINGS THE SUN: A CHEROKEE STORY
ENDURING TRADITIONS: ART OF THE NAVAJO
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FROM TIME IMMEMORIAL: INDIGENOUS PEOPLES AND STATE SYSTEMS. By Richard J.
Perry.
Austin, TX: University of Texas Press (P.O. Box 7819, 78713-7819), 1996. Paperbound.
302 Pp. ISBN Number 0-292-76599-1. $16.95.
The terms “invasion”, “genocide”, “displacement” and “assimilation” go a long way in
describing U.S., Mexican, Canadian, and Austalian historic relationships with their
indigenous peoples. From Time Immemorial is a study that chronicles these and other
conquerer/conquered relationships from around the world and identifies the common
elements that fire them. The author simply asks: “Why do states deal with indigenous
populations the way they do?” and “Why do indigenous peoples within states behave the
way they do?.
From Time Immemorial is broken into three sections. The first gives an overview of the
development of states and their interactions with indigenous peoples. The second
section examines these relationships within the U.S., Mexico, Canada, and Australia
specifically. The last section is devoted to examples of other state systems and
conclusions that can be drawn. From Time Immemorial is fully indexed and contains a
complete list of citations.
Anita Cheek Moon, Member Reviewers’ Consortium
THE NATIVE AMERICAN LOOK BOOK (Art and Activities from the Brooklyn Museum). By the
Brooklyn Museum. New York City, NY: The New Press (450 West 41st Street, 10036-6801),
1996. Hardbound. 46 Pp. ISBN Number 1-56584-022-4. $15.95.
Written for children, The Native American Look Book explores Native American art using
specific pieces purchased by the Brooklyn Museum of Art between 1904 and 1908: a
Kwakiutl whale mask, Zuni water jars, and a Pomo dowry basket. The reader is taken on
an innovative journey designed to make him or her appreciate more fully each piece of
art. Using questions and photographs designed to pique the readers interest, the book
is very effective at pointing out intricate features that might other wise have been
missed. The reader not only becomes aware of numerous details; such as the white spots
on the baleen whale mask, the broken patterns in the basket design, and pottery
structural design and decorative symbology; but also of the probable reasons and
meaning behind each detail. The Native American Look Book recreates a legend for each
cultural group it explores and leads the reader through hands-on craft activities
designed to give them a fuller understanding of what is involved in the production of
each art form. Each of these craft activities (in the “Doing It for Yourself”
sections), although lacking in detailed step-by-step drawings, are inspiring in their
ideas and written instructions. This book is interesting reading for child and adult
alike.
Anita Cheek Moon, Member Reviewers’ Consortium
AMERICAN INDIAN QUOTATIONS. Compiled and edited by Howard J. Langer. Westport, CT:
Greenwood Publishing Group (88 Post Road West, Box 5007, 06881), 1996. Hardbound.
260
Pp. ISBN Number 0-313-29121-7. $49.95
From the words of Powhatan in sixteenth-century Virginia to those of Ben Nighthorse
Campbell from the halls of twentieth century Congress, American Indian Quotations
contains over 800 quotations from historical America. Organized chronologically, this
book gives a brief biographical sketch of each person quoted and often includes a
black and white photograph or reproduction of a historical portrait. Opulent in
providing an insight into the mind of these Native Americans during critical and
difficult times in American history, and fully indexed by author, subject and tribe
American Indian Quotations is a valued reference for anyone researching, writing or
speaking about Native Americans.
Anita Cheek Moon, Member Reviewers’ Consortium
THE IROQUOIS (The Peoples of America Series). By Dean R. Snow. Cambridge, MA:
Blackwell Publishers (238 Main Street, 02142), 1996 (c1994). Paperbound. 270 Pp. ISBN
Number 1-55786-938-3, $12.99.
The “onkwehonwe” (real people), or Iroquois as they are more often referred to, are an
interesting and diverse people. The historical record first reflects their existence
as a group in the 1600’s. After near extinction in the 1800’s they, reemerged and are
today prolific and prosperous in both the U.S. and Canada. The author, Dean R. Snow,
is professor and head of the anthropology department at Penn State. Snow uses his
training and experience to delve deeply into Iroquois culture and history. Using
historical documents, oral tradition and archaeological data, Snow offers a
well-rounded view of the Iroquois people past and present. Fully indexed and
footnoted, it provides numerous black and white photos, maps and reproductions of
historic prints and art. The Iroquois takes its place in the literature as the most
definitive source on the Iroquois.
Anita Cheek Moon, Member Reviewers’ Consortium
THE GREAT CANOES: REVIVING A NORTHWEST COAST TRADITION. By David Neel.
Seattle, WA:
University of Washington Press (P.O. Box 500096, 98145-5096), 1995, Paperbound. 135
Pp. ISBN Number 0-295-97482-6. $27.95.
The over sixty vibrant color photographs, all of which are full and sometimes two page
spreads, are reason enough to purchase The Great Canoes. Written and photographed by
David Neel, a member of the Kwagiutle Nation himself, this book illustrates the
revival of the traditional canoes of the Northwest Coast peoples. Almost lost to the
motor boats, this traditional vessel is making its comeback. Neel documents this
comeback through his photographs and text. He visits the numerous festivals and
organized canoe trips which celebrate the revival of the traditional canoes. Neel's
photographs are complimented by interviews with the Northwest Coast peoples. He talks
with the people who make, use and appreciate these canoes. The Great Canoes explores
the cultural significance of this ancient mode of transportation and offers and
insight into the canoes spirituality. It is a must-read for anyone interested in the
culture of the Northwest Coast Indians.
Anita Cheek Moon, Member Reviewers’ Consortium
NATIVE AMERICA IN THE TWENTIETH CENTURY: AN ENCYCLOPEDIA (Garland
Reference Library of
Social Science, Volume Number 452). Edited by Mary B. Davis. New York City, NY:
Garland Publishing (717 Fifth Avenue, 10022), 1996 (c1994). Paperbound. 787 Pp. ISBN
Number 0-8153-2583-5. $24.95.
As its title states, “Native America in the Twentieth Century: An Encyclopedia” is a
reference to the affairs of still extant groups of Native Americans in the United
States. Organized by tribal group, this text offers a brief historical background for
each group and follows up with detailed information regarding the current location,
land holdings, economics, politics, education, health, religion, and art. Written by
over 300 contributors, approximately one-third of whom list Native heritage, “Native
America in the Twentieth Century: An Encyclopedia” is a voluminous work. From the
Navajo Code Talkers of World War II to discussions of the intricacies of sovereignty
and jurisdiction, its included in “Native America in the Twentieth Century”. Fully
indexed and including 26 maps ; numerous black and white photos, line drawings, and
charts and graphs; this reference is a must-buy for those studying present-day Native
America.
Anita Cheek Moon, Member Reviewers’ Consortium
THE SIX NATIONS OF NEW YORK: MOHAWK, ONEIDAS, ONONDAGAS, CAUGAS,
SENECAS,
TUSCARORARAS: THE 1892 EXTRA CENSUS BULLETIN. With an introduction by Robert
W.
Venables. Ithaca, NY: Cornell University Press (Sage House, 512 E State Street,
14850), 1995 (c1892). Paperbound. 89 Pp. ISBN Number 0-8014-8317-4. $15.95.
Originally published in 1892 by the U.S. Census Office, “The Six Nations of New York”
is a detailed sociopolitical study of the six nations of the Iroquois Confederacy. The
Confederacy, founded long before the arrival of the Europeans to this continent, was
one of the few Indian bodies exempt to the provisions of the 1887 General Allotment
Act, the ultimate goal of which was to force the Indian to give up his own cultural
identity (and the special privileges that were held as a result of it) and enter
mainstream non-Indian America. This goal was to be accomplished through the division
of tribally held land into individual parcels. The breaking of communal ownership of
these lands and putting them into individual ownership would increase the probability
of those lands subsequently being sold to non-Indians, one parcel at a time. Once
divided, the Indian people would lose cultural continuity and no longer be able to
claim the exemption of living on a federally-recognized reservation. The previous
tax-exempt Indian people would thereafter be subject to federal income taxes
Although specifically exempt from the General Allotment Act, the Iroquois were not
overlooked by the U.S. Government. The report found in “The Six Nations” was designed
to investigate both the applicability of provisions which could be implemented that
would be similar to those of the General Allotment Act and to ascertain Iroquois
susceptibility to assimilation into mainstream non-Indian culture. This new facsimile
of “The Six Nations” report by Cornell University Press includes a twenty page
introduction by Robert W. Venables, Senior Lecturer in the American Indian Program at
Cornell. Venable explores the state of affairs in the country at the time of the
writing of “The Six Nations”. He details political issues and the views of the
Iroquois in the late nineteenth century. The original report of “The Six Nations”
outlines legal issues of the time and provides statistical information on births,
deaths, longevity, religious preferences, education, occupation, and material holdings
of the Iroquois people. It includes numerous maps and is completely indexed.
Anita Cheek Moon, Member Reviewers’ Consortium
THE WOODLAND INDIANS: AN ILLUSTRATED ACCOUNT OF THE LIFESTYLES OF
AMERICA’S FIRST
INHABITANTS. By C. Keith Wilbur, M.D. Old Saybrook, CT: The Globe Pequot Press (P.O.
Box 833, Old Saybrook, CT 06475), 1995. Paperbound. 103 Pp. ISBN Number 1-56440-625-
3.
$16.95.
“The Woodland Indians: An Illustrated Account of the Lifestyles of America’s first
Inhabitants" makes great strides in unlocking the secrets of the prehistoric Woodland
Indians. Although focusing on 1000 B.C. to 1500 A.D., the text begins with a detailed
examination of the ancestors of the Woodland Indians who lived, according to the
authors approximations, during the time span between 30,000 and 1000 B.C. The
remaining text is broken into five main sections: Early Woodland Period (1000 B.C. to
700 A.D.), The Mississippian Period of the Late Woodland Period (700 A.D. to 1500
A.D.), The Central Algonquian Tribes, The Iroquois Tribes, The Coastal Algonquian
Tribes. Included is information regarding their origins, tribal organization,
religious beliefs, games and celebrations, warfare and crafts. Included also is a
listings of museums containing Woodland displays, a bibliography and index. Replete
with black and white line drawings of Woodland artifacts and artist’s renditions of
their lifeways, this text is a valuable resource for the armchair anthropologist.
A CENTURY OF DISHONOR: A SKETCH OF THE UNITED STATES GOVERNMENT’S
DEALINGS WITH SOME
OF THE INDIAN TRIBES. By Helen Hunt Jackson. Norman, OK: University of Oklahoma
Press
(1005 Asp Avenue, 73019-0445), 1995. Paperbound. 528 Pp. ISBN Number 0-8061-2726-0.
$14.95.
Helen Hunt Jackson began writing professionally at age 35. She first became involved
with the plight of the American Indian in 1879 after attending a lecture illuminating
the poor living conditions and mistreatment the Ponca tribe was undergoing. Jackson
became enamored with this issue, she effectively wielded her writing skills to
illuminate the plight of the Ponca’s to the general public through the publication of
numerous in-depth letters to the editors of many major eastern newspapers. She
furthered her cause by writing personal letters to prominants such as Henry Wadsworth
Longfellow and Oliver Wendell Holmes and became heavily involved in literary sparring
matches with the Secretary of the Interior and others who disagreed with her cause.
Her crusade was successful in obtaining federal resolve of many of the issues facing
the Poncas.
While battling for the rights of the Ponca, Helen Hunt Jackson began working on “A
Century of Dishonor”, a lengthy manuscript exploring the history of the Delaware,
Cheyenne, Nez Perce, Sioux, Ponca, Winnebago, and Cherokee and their dealings with the
United States government. Originally published in 1881, “A Century of Dishonor”
spotlights the shortcomings of the government’s Indian policy and dutifully records
the inhumane treatment these tribes have received. Jackson predicted shortly before
her death in 1885 that “A Century of Dishonor” and her other Indian writings would be
her most important contribution in life. Unfortunately, little overall reform was
accomplished during her lifetime. As she predicted, however, “A Century of Dishonor”
has served well in awakening the general public to the dilemma of the American Indian,
furthering Helen Hunt Jackson’s cause into the future over 100 years past her death.
Republished several times in various formats this latest publication of “A Century of
Dishonor” devotes 171 pages to the inclusion of Jackson’s original appendix, and a 15
page index. “A Century of Dishonor” is as relevant today as it was when it was
originally published. It is a valuable addition to any library on Native American
issues.
Anita Cheek Moon, Member Reviewers’ Consortium
WALKER'S JOURNEY HOME, By Helen Hughes Vick. Tucson, AZ: Harbinger House (P.O.
Box
42948, 85733-2948), 1995. Paperbound. 182 Pp. ISBN Number 1-57140-001-X. $9.95.
A follow-up to “Walker of Time”, “Walker’s Journey Home” is a science fiction account
tying together the ancient Sinagua and the present day Hopi. Walker Talayesva, the
primary character, is a boy born into the twentieth century Hopi tribe. Raised
traditionally but yet exposed to the modern ways of the non-Indian, Walker is charged
with using his knowledge to travel back in time into the thirteenth century and save
the ancient Sinagua from extinction. Well written and enjoyable, “Walker of Time”,
takes the reader on a journey into another way of life. It would make a wonderful gift
for the young reader.
Anita Cheek Moon, Member Reviewers’ Consortium
GRANDMOTHER FIVE BASKETS by Lisa Larrabee. Illustrated by Lori Sawyer. Tuscon, AZ:
Harbinger House (P.O. Box 42948, 85733-2948), 1993. Paperbound. 60 Pp. ISBN Number
0-943173-90-6. $9.95.
Recommended for ages 8-12, “Grandmother Five Baskets” tells the story of a modern-day
twelve-year-old Creek girl, Anna, and her journey to maturity. Anna undertakes the
task of learning to weave traditional Creek baskets from Grandmother Five Baskets, an
elder of her tribe. Anna soon learns that the teaching process involves making five
separate baskets and that she will learn much more than basketmaking during this
period in her life. Anna, at first excited by the opportunity to study with
Grandmother Five Baskets, encounters many distractions along the way. She persists,
however, eventually completing her five baskets. She also learns far more important
lessons, those about herself. Wonderfully illustrated with detailed pencil drawings,
“Grandmother Five Baskets” would make a nice gift for any young girl.
PICTURE BEADED EARRINGS FOR BEGINNERS: WITH EASY, SIMPLE STEP-BY-STEP
FOLLOW-ALONG
INSTRUCTIONS. Written and Illustrated by Starr Steil. Liberty, UT: Eagle's View
Publishing Company (6756 North Fork Road, 84310 [801] 393-4555), 1996. Paperbound.
80
Pp. ISBN Number 0-943604-48-6. $9.95.
“Picture Beaded Earrings for Beginners” contains 10 pages of detailed instruction for
the two-needle brick-stitch technique used to create the popular diamond-shaped beaded
earrings and pins often seen at craft shows and pow wows. The book is composed of 61
computer-generated black and white designs for use with this technique and includes
clear color photographs of 31 of these. Examples of the most-interesting designs
include “coral snake”, “crab”, “dream-keeper”, “pirate” and “turtle”. More simplistic
designs include “anchor”, “cherries”, and “duck”. The complexity of the design is, of
course, directly correlated with the length of the base row and the degree of skill
which is required for each project.
Although my choice of designs would have been considerably different, “Picture Beaded
Earrings for Beginners” offers the beginning beader a relatively inexpensive
easy-to-follow how-to manual. The patterns are excellently illustrated but I
encountered some problems with discerning between the more subtle shades of beads as
the technique used to illustrate the colors is limited to black, white, or a letter
coding the appropriate color for each bead. It would be time-well-spent to color in
the patterns prior to beginning each project.
Anita Cheek Moon, Member Reviewers’ Consortium
WILLY WHITEFEATHER'S RIVER BOOK FOR KIDS. BY Willy Whitefeather. Tucson, AZ:
Harbinger
House (P. O. Box 42948, 85733-2948), 1994, Paperbound. 124 Pp. ISBN Number
0-943173-04-9, $11.95.
“The “River Book for Kids” takes the young reader on a journey down a river along with
a young Cherokee boy, Choonah Hunteh, and his Grandfather. Along the way they
encounter both the beauty and the dangers of the river. Later in life Choonah Hunteh
passes on the knowledge he gained from his Grandfather to his niece and nephew, Tina
and Dooley. Raised in the city, Tina and Dooley have never experienced the ways of the
river. Their four-day trip provides an opportunity for them to not only learn the ways
of the river and the animals that live along it but to also learn the ways of their
Native American ancestors.
Written in a large “handwritten” script and saturated with cartoon-like drawings
illustrating the story line and canoeing techniques this book is very appealing to the
young reader. It serves both as a nature-awareness guide and a canoeing-skills
handbook. I was pleased to note that the book emphasized safety and the necessity of
wearing life jackets regardless of whether or not you can swim! This book would serve
well as a prerequisite to any child’s first boating experience.
Anita Cheek Moon, Member Reviewers’ Consortium
WILLY WHITEFEATHER'S OUTDOOR SURVIVAL HANDBOOK FOR KIDS. By Willy
Whitefeather.
Tuscon, AZ: Harbinger House (P.O. Box 42948, 85733-2948), 1990. Paperbound. 96 Pp.
ISBN Number 0-943173-47-7. $9.95
This survival book for kids, offers a different approach on things-to-do-when-lost.
Written in a large “handwritten” script and saturated with cartoon-like drawings
illustrating the different concepts the “Outdoor Survival Handbook for Kids” offers
the young reader advice on everything from planning what to take on a trip to the
outdoors, to how to “go potty in the woods”, to what to do in an emergency. Even I was
able to pick up a couple of desert-survival tips such as bathing in the water from
your car radiator and otherwise unpalatable water to cool off in a life-threatening
situation.
Although a couple of the concepts, such as how to make a friction fire using nothing
but your shoelace and items scavenged from the woods, were a little too advanced to be
taught in this format, the book offers the young reader alternatives to giving up. It
will be on my gift-giving list this year!
Anita Cheek Moon, Member Reviewers’ Consortium
PLAINS INDIAN AND MOUNTAIN MAN ARTS AND CRAFTS II: AN ILLUSTRATED GUIDE.
Written and
Illustrated by Charles W. Overstreet. Liberty, UT: Eagle's View Publishing Company
(6756 North Fork Road, 84310 [801] 393-4555), 1996. Paperbound. 112 Pp. ISBN Number
0-943604-51-6. $12.95.
An excellent beginning craft manual, “Plains Indian and Mountain Man Arts and Crafts
II” provides instruction for forty different items. Some of the more interesting are
the Blackfoot dog travois, Omaha hair brush, Hidatsa wooden rasp, Hidatsa rake, Lakota
cradle board, and the Shoshone wolf-face hat. The book devotes an average of two to
three pages to describing the construction of each item. Each project is illustrated
with both line drawings and a black and white photograph of it in its finished state.
The book includes a list of references and an order form for other Eagle’s View
publications.
Although lacking in some important detail for a couple of the items such as the
Blackfoot fish trap (fish might enter but wouldn’t stay very long, relegating this
item to not much more than a “wall hanger”) and leaving you somewhat hazy as to the
actual function of items such as the Arikara fire drill (this item is constructed of
scantily-cured wood and isn’t constructed as is the “typical” fire drill which allows
your coal to fall through the hearth for easy collection), “Plains Indian and Mountain
Man Arts and Crafts II” is still a welcome addition to the library of the craftsman
interested in this time in history. Not simply a duplication of items commonly found
in other craft manuals, “Plains Indian and Mountain Man Arts and Crafts II” would
serve as an excellent source of ideas for making many of the more uncommon items
typical of the Plains Indian and Mountain Man.
SOFT CHILD: HOW RATTLESNAKE GOT ITS FANGS: A NATIVE AMERICAN FOLKTALE.
Retold by Joe
Hayes. Illustrated by Kay Sather. Tucson, AZ: Harbinger House (P. O. Box 42948,
85722-2948), 1993. Paperbound. 32 Pp. ISBN Number 0-943173-89-2. $8.95.
Written by Joe Hayes and illustrated by Kay Sather, “Soft Child: How Rattlesnake Got
Its Fangs” is a absorbing rendition of the Tohono O’odham folktale. Written for
children, “Soft Child: How Rattlesnake Got Its Fangs” tells the story of Soft Child,
the rattlesnake. At one time, a long time ago, Soft Child was harmless, he had neither
rattle nor fangs. Because he crawled on the ground, he was concerned that he would be
stepped on. Soft Child asked the Creator for something to warn the two-legged and
four-legged creatures of his presence so that they could avoid him. The Creator
blessed him with his rattle. Before long, however, the other animals began to find
amusement in the rattle and would torment Soft Child just to hear him rattle. The
Creator took note and gave Soft Child a second gift, that of his fangs and poison. He
was instructed to use these gifts only to protect himself and to always rattle before
biting. The illustrations are full page prints of black and white pencil drawings.
Their detail effectively captures the attention of both adults and children. This book
would serve an excellent tool in the instruction of a small child that all things have
their place and that even the things we find scary deserve respect, not hatred.
Anita Cheek Moon, Member Reviewers’ Consortium
SACRED PLANT MEDICINE: EXPLORATIONS IN THE PRACTICE OF INDIGENOUS
HERBALISM. BY
Stephen Harrod Buhner. Foreword by Brooke Medicine Eagle. Illustrations by Cyncie
Marini. Boulder, CO: Roberts Rinehart Publishers (5455 Spine Road, Mezzanine West,
80301), 1996. 210 Pp. ISBN Number 1-57098-091-8. $18.95.
Raised during the 1950’s in western Kentucky, Stephen Harrod Buhner became enamored
with the use of plants in healing at an early age. Nurtured by an extended family
which included four great-grandparents, Buhner’s interest blossomed to help him become
one of the most notable sacred plant practitioners in the United States. “Sacred Plant
Medicine” is an exploration of the historic medicinal use of plants around the globe.
The text explains the relation of plants to man, not just utilitarian relationship but
also the family relationship. The author discusses plants as relatives to human
beings. To ancient man, and to some cultures today, plants are considered sacred and
the use of plants to provide medicine for man is a holy activity. Buhner expresses the
belief of most indigenous cultures that every part of the universe is integral to the
whole, that every part is both a creation and a manifestation of God. He further
explains that much of the religious misinterpretations made by non-indigenous cultures
when observing the indigenous cultures is centered around this fact. The non-native
typically interprets a natives reverence for a plant, animal or other part of the
natural world as paganistic nature-worship and fails to observe the fact that the
native, in showing respect for one of God’s creations, is in fact worshipping God.
Far from the “new age” testimonial I first expected when briefly flipping through the
book, “Sacred Plant Medicine” is both well researched and enjoyable to read. Written
from the personal perspective of the author, the book is a first person testimonial to
the sacredness of the plant world. It includes three appendices, color plates of
nineteen different plants, and a complete index. The first appendix contains a
suggested reading list and programs which offer apprenticeships and training programs
in sacred plant medicines. The second appendix offers guidance in the harvesting of
wild medicinals, their propagation, their preparation, and storage. The last appendix
provides source documentation for the various stories and quotations included in the
main text. I would strongly recommend this book to anyone whose interest in the plant
world goes beyond the taxonomic keys and scientifically accepted uses of plants in
medicine.
Anita Cheek Moon, Member Reviewers’ Consortium
DANCING ON COMMON GROUND: TRIBAL CULTURES AND ALLIANCES ON THE
SOUTHERN PLAINS. By
Howard Meredith. Lawrence, KS: University Press of Kansas (2501 West 15th,
66049-3904), 1995. Hardbound. 218 Pp. ISBN Number 0-7006-0694-7. $29.95.
Beginning with the introductory chapter discussing the diversity of traditional
cultures who inhabited the Great Plains, “Dancing on Common Ground” explores the
various factors which shaped these cultures and allowed them to exist as
interdependent but separate entities. The author illuminates the fact that the
spirituality of these groups is a dynamic and changing factor to which is attributed
both historic and contemporary tribal endeavors and solidarity. The author forms the
conclusion that the close examination of tribal traditions is the key to formulating
effective governmental and intertribal policies regulating the social and economic
affairs of these groups.
“Dancing on Common Ground” includes 90 seldom-seen black and white photographs of
historic and contemporary Plains people, arts, and villages. It is fully annotated
with source references and a complete bibliography and index. “Dancing on Common
Ground” is a valued addition for anyone interested in tribal traditions and how they
pertain to political and historical issues.
Anita Cheek Moon, Member Reviewers’ Consortium
REUBEN SNAKE: YOUR HUMBLE SERPENT: INDIAN VISIONARY AND ACTIVIST. As told to
Jay C.
Fikes. Santa Fe, NM: Clear Light Publishers (823 Don Diego, 87501), 1996. Hardbound.
287 Pp. ISBN Number 0-940666-60-X. $24.95.
“Reuben Snake: Your Humble Serpent: Indian Visionary and Activist” is the
autobiography of Kikawa Unga, the Winnebago leader also known as Reuben Snake. Born
in
1937, Reuben Snake grew up along the Missouri River in Nebraska. Born into poverty,
Reuben Snake was forced to attend a missionary boarding school in Wisconsin. Like most
Indian schools of that era, the Wisconsin school actively tried to instill white
culture into its Indian students. All things “Indian” were forbidden and frowned upon.
Reuben went on to enlist in the service as a Green Beret, he served in Germany in the
mid 1950’s and received an honorable discharge shortly after leaving Germany.
Irrespective of his missionary school upbringing and his service in the armed forces,
Reuben was to suffer many prejudicial encounters with non-Indian employers and persons
representing themselves as Christians. Seeing his own children being subjected to
these same prejudices, he came to the realization that not only must he resolve to
reconnect with his own Winnebago heritage, he must take on the responsibility of
challenging mainstream America’s treatment of American Indians, and become a leader of
his own people. Reuben Snake kept his promise, he went on to become a prominent
political activist, educator, and civic and religious leader for his people. His
achievements culminated shortly after his death in 1993 with the passage of the
American Indian Religious Freedom Act Amendments of 1994.
Anita Cheek Moon, Member Reviewers’ Consortium
THE ASCENT OF CHIEFS: CAHOKIA AND MISSISSIPPIAN POLITICS IN NATIVE NORTH
AMERICA. By
Timothy R. Pauketat. Tuscaloosa, AL: The University of Alabama Press (Box 870380,
35487-0380), 1994. Paperbound. 235 Pp. ISBN Number 0-8173-0728-1. $28.95.
The archaeological record bears witness to the fact that beginning approximately 700
AD a powerful people, the Cahokia Moundbuilders, inhabited the region of the
Mississippi Valley near the present-day location of St. Louis Missouri. Flourishing
for only a brief time, the Moundbuilders disappeared as quickly as they had arrived,
leaving their great mounds as testament to the fact that they had indeed existed.
Numerous theories have been formulated regarding the sociopolitical structure of these
people. “The Ascent of Chiefs” makes detailed examination of the archaeological
evidence to put forth the theory that the Moundbuilder formation of centralized
chiefdom’s, thought to be characteristic of a certain time period during the domain of
the Moundbuilders, came about quite suddenly in approximately 1100 AD. Shortly
afterward this apparent social stratification, less than a century and a half later,
all that remained was over 100 massive mounds and the buried artifactual records.
Using pot sherds, lithic remains and other archaeological material, “The Ascent of
Chiefs” traces the story of the Moundbuilders. Fully indexed and containing an
extensive bibliography, “The Ascent of Chiefs” will serve an excellent reference to
those interested in the sociopolitical dynamics of the moundbuilding cultures. In
addition, its inclusion of detailed information regarding the material culture of
these people makes it an interesting reference to those specifically interested in
ceramics and other prehistoric artifacts.
Anita Cheek Moon, Member Reviewers’ Consortium
THE CREEK WAR OF 1813 AND 1814. By H. S. Halbert and T. H. Ball. With Introductions,
Notes, Bibliography, and Index by Frank L. Owsley, Jr. Tuscaloosa, AL: The University
of Alabama Press (Box 870380, 35487-0380), 1995 [Original edition without contemporary
additions, 1895]. Paperbound. 370 Pp. ISBN Number 0-8173-0775-3.
The incidents leading to the Indian Removal are usually explained away with broad
sweeping statements such as “desire for Indian land, cattle, houses, etc.”. These
statements tell nothing of the personal lives and actions of the individual living in
frontier America. Originally written in 1895, “The Creek War of 1813 and 1814” tells
these stories. It includes first-person accounts as well as letters, newspaper
accounts, and military dispatches to bring to life this momentous period in time.
Written to include both the Indian and White points of view, the book goes to great
lengths to explore the causes of the war and subsequent events including an
examination of the role Tecumseh may have played in setting the stage for the Indian
Removal. The authors visited many of the sites and observed personally where an
incident took place prior to writing the book. Several popularized accounts, for
example Weatherford’s dramatized leap into the Alabama River now contested by some,
were either disproved or validated by the authors personal visits to the historic site
and careful research.
The book makes no attempt to place blame on either side for what happened during these
episodes but to give a regionalized account of what happened to the residents of the
area bordered by the Alabama and Tombigbee Rivers. Influences from outside the local
area, such as Andrew Jackson’s’ actions, are not covered but this is not the purpose
of this book. What sets this book apart from so many other historical writings is that
it does not get carried away with the “big picture” but instead maintains the detail
of a regionalized account. “The Creek War of 1813 and 1814” is well-documented and
includes detailed footnotes. My one criticism is the lack of detailed maps. I highly
recommend this book to anyone who wants to know what it felt like to be on the
frontier during this fascinating time in history.
Pledger A. Moon, Member Reviewers’ Consortium
CHEROKEES AND MISSIONARIES, 1789-1839. By William G. McLoughlin. Norman, OK:
University of Oklahoma Press (1005 Asp Avenue, 73019-0445), 1995. Paperbound. 375 Pp.
ISBN Number 0-8061-2723-6. $18.95.
William McLoughlin describes in detail the interaction between missionaries and the
Cherokee between 1789 and 1839. Using primary materials as well as numerous scholarly
treatises on the Cherokee and the missionaries who inhabited their country during this
time period, he provides a thorough overview, written from both the Cherokee and the
missionary perspectives, of the government’s efforts to acculturate the Cherokee.
McLoughlin brings to light the lack of separation of church and state in regards to
federal Indian policy by using primary references to outline the fact that, though not
actually funded until 1819, missionaries were a part of George Washington’s Indian
policy from the very beginning. Washington’s aim was to completely transform the
Cherokee from a people who relied almost wholly on hunting as a way of life into one
who relied on farming. This transition would, in the Government’s perspective, result
in much surplus Cherokee hunting land which could be acquired and turned over to white
hands.
Although missionary efforts met with much skepticism amongst the Cherokee people, the
missionaries, using the promise of schools to educate the Cherokee youth, made their
way onto Cherokee land. Once there, they and their religious teachings were hard to
remove. Concessions were made by both the Cherokee and the missionaries as the
invasion of foreign people and religion slowly gained momentum. The Cherokee; in the
midst of tribal factionalism, shrinking land holdings, and the imminent loss of their
ancient ways; were able to take some of the knowledge they gained from the missionary
efforts and utilize it to at least delay the encroaching white tide. The missionaries,
although dissatisfied with the speed of their accomplishments, took some consolation
in those converts they could save from “savagery” and lead into the ways of their
“superior” white God.
Although lacking in maps or other illustrations, this book is an excellent reference
to this tumultuous time in Cherokee history. It contains numerous footnotes and
extensive bibliographic references. It would be a valued addition to the collection of
anyone interested in this time in history.
Anita Cheek Moon, Member Reviewers’ Consortium
FRIENDS OF THUNDER: FOLKTALES OF THE OKLAHOMA CHEROKEES. By Jack F. and
Anna G.
Kilpatrick. Norman, OK: University of Oklahoma Press (1005 Asp Avenue, 73019-0445),
1995. Paperbound. 201 Pp. ISBN Number 0-8061-2722-8. $11.95.
Originally collected in 1961 by Jack F. and Anna G. Kilpatrick in eastern Oklahoma,
the stories in “Friends of Thunder” lead the reader through an excellent cross section
of Cherokee folklife. They include the expected “when the animals could talk stories”
(that tell of how things came to be or provide moral instruction) as well as less
conventional stories such as stories about Sequoia and other Cherokee heroes, stories
about witchcraft and stories about the “good ole days”. The Kilpatrick's tape recorded
these stories from seventeen Cherokee elders, the average age of whom was seventy.
Most were recorded in the Cherokee language then later transcribed to English. Other
than interpretive notes the authors add no embellishment to the actual story. They are
presented exactly as they were told.
The kinship of the authors with the Cherokee people unquestionably eased their way in
obtaining the trust of each of the storytellers. The affinity of the authors to
Cherokee culture has resulted in an as-accurate-as-possible English rendition of each
story. Anna Kilpatrick, a full-blood Cherokee native speaker, was undoubtedly
instrumental in the translation of each story. The text is further augmented by the
talents of Jack Kilpatrick, a mixed-blood Cherokee composer and musicologist, who
diligently recorded the music and lyrics accompanying several of the stories. His
efforts are particularly appreciated since accompanying music is rare in most works on
Cherokee folklore.
These authors sharply contrasts with most authors who have published Cherokee
folklore. This work is a welcome comparison to that of other authors who are most
often male, predominantly white, and not well-versed in the Cherokee language. It both
enables the reader to trace a continuity in Cherokee folklore over the past 200 years
as well as to observe modifications, additions and embellishments in the folklore over
time. “Friends of Thunder” offers an extensive table of contents and bibliography but
is lacking in an index. The authors provide extensive footnotes as well as
biographical information on each of the storytellers. This book is book is a must-have
for any serious student of Cherokee folklore.
Anita Cheek Moon, Member Reviewers’ Consortium
GRANDMOTHER SPIDER BRINGS THE SUN: A CHEROKEE STORY. By Geri Keams.
Illustrated by
James Bernardin. Flagstaff, AZ: Northland Publishing (P.O. Box 1389, 86002), 1995.
Hardbound. 32 Pp. ISBN Number 0-87358-597-6. $14.95.
Written by Geri Keams and illustrated by James Bernardin, “Grandmother Spider Brings
the Sun” is a delightful rendition of the Cherokee folktale. Written for children,
“Grandmother Spider Brings the Sun” relates the quest of the animals in a time long
ago, a time when the animal could talk, to bring the sun to their side of the world.
The animals hold council to decide whom from amongst them should attempt this
difficult feat. First the opossum tries, then the buzzard. They both fail. The next to
volunteer is the diminutive Grandmother Spider. By fashioning a bowl out of clay in
which to contain it, she is able to bring a small piece of the sun home to the
animals.
The illustrations are full page prints of acrylic and color pencil originals. They
effectively capture the eye of the small child and adult alike. The authors preface
ties the story into Cherokee lifeways as she compares the making of Grandmother
Spider’s bowl with that of Cherokee potters of times past and present This book is
sure to be cherished by the small child in your life.
Anita Cheek Moon, Member Reviewers’ Consortium
ENDURING TRADITIONS: ART OF THE NAVAJO. Written by Lois Essary Jacka.
Photographs by
Jerry Jacka. Flagstaff, AZ: Northland Publishing (P.O. Box 1389, 86002), 1994.
Hardbound. 199 Pp. ISBN Number 0-87358-584-4. $55.00.
Lois and Jerry Jacka, a writer-photographer team, offer through “Enduring Traditions”
an extensive collection of contemporary Dine’ art. The Dine’ (this name, preferred by
most Navajo people, is translated to mean “The People”) presently live on a 16 million
acre reservation in northeastern Arizona and northwestern New Mexico. They are the
largest tribe in the United States. Art attributed to the Dine’ spans from the
eighteenth century rock art of their ancestral homeland to today’s modernized
renditions of reservation life. “Enduring Traditions” is replete with color
photographs of extraordinary weavings, ceramics, silver work, sculpture, basketry and
paintings. The extensive text contains historical background as well as contemporary
interviews with Dine’ artists.
“Enduring Traditions” provides the reader with much more that a photograph album of
Dine’ art. The Jacka’s lead the reader on an enjoyable journey through Dine’ art as it
is intertwined with Dine’ culture. They trace the evolution of Dine’ art and provide
explanation of the various changes over time. They follow the artistic path of the
Dine’ through numerous meanders, acquisitions from other cultures, and artistic
influences on other cultures. A glossary of Dine’ words and suggestions of additional
reading materials add further value to this book. An index is provided but is not very
complete. “Enduring Traditions”, with its lavish photos and cultural explanations,
will be a welcome addition to any library of Native American art and culture.
Anita Cheek Moon, Member Reviewers’ Consortium
