Native American Books

We love this book. It is one of my favorites. So sweet and beautiful. I want more like it.

Lessons From Mother Earth is a beautiful, charming children's picturebook written by Elaine McLeod and featuring watercolor-style artwork by Colleen Wood. Tess is a young Native American girl whose grandmother teaches her about gardening and the bounty of Mother Earth. Lessons From Mother Earth is an enjoyable and gentle story about the inherent joy of working with the earth and bringing life from the soil.

I can't claim to be an expert on art, but I know what I like and I like Jerome Tiger (1941-1967). This young American Indian had a fabulous sense of color and movement and his paintings are just plain beautiful. Most of them have American Indian and Western themes. You've seen many imitators if you've perused the galleries in Santa Fe.

Tiger seems an overdue candidate for iconhood. He was a full-blooded Indian from Oklahoma. He was uneducated, never finishing high school, and untrained, although he studied for a while at the Cooper Art School in Cleveland. He was a boxer and street fighter, a drinker, and, most importantly, he died young. He was only 26 when he killed himself with a bullet -- apparently accidental -- to the head. He was enormously, instinctively talented at his trade and blissfully ignorant. He once asked, "Who was Michelangelo?"

His wife and cousin compiled this illustrated biography. It's well written, favorable to Tiger but not hagiographic. The story of his life is interesting; the reproductions of his paintings and drawings are wonderful. There is a drawing of James Dean done when Tiger was about 14 years old that is as good a representation of the "rebel without a cause" as I have seen. There are photographs of Tiger in the boxing ring, and riding a horse, and with his daughter. He was a handsome young man whose pompadour resembles James Dean's.

Most of all there are reproductions of his paintings, more than 100 of them, most dominated by the beautiful blue he favored and featuring American Indians in all their activities. The impact of his large paintings cannot be appreciated on the printed page but they are stunning. Tiger's output was enormous; he had a photographic memory and rarely erased. He once drew a locomotive in all its details from memory. He was a budding genius who, in my humble opinion, deserves to be in the first rank of American painters -- not in the first rank of American Indian painters, but in the first rank of American painters. And the movie of his life will undoubtedly win an Oscar.

Smallchief

Jerome Tiger, a fullblood Creek/Seminole has been a major source of inspiration for Native American artists since the 1960's. This coffee table size book, co-written by his widow, is Jerome's life story and a wonderful color compilation of his art. In 1967, he died at age 27 from a tragic accident and while he had only been in the art field for 5 years, his influence has been tremendous and ongoing. Jerome's widow Peggy tells his story in a sentimental way, and the book is profusely illustrated with color reproductions of his art. It is a visual feast, with his signature blue backgrounds, delicate lines and colors portraying powerful and spiritual themes. He shows what the Trail of Tears felt like, the sadness and hardship endured when the Southeastern tribes were forced to go to Oklahoma, Indian Territory then. Jerome also liked to portray children, playing stickball and dancing, and some of these are touched with whimsey. This book is highly recommended for those interested in Native American art.

I liked this book because it provides very insightful information on the Plains Indians. It makes sure the reader understands the different people and the cultures - similarities and differences. I was glad to understand how tribes and clans were related. How the Plains Indians survived on consuming Bison meat was pretty interesting too. A very well researched book.

We found this bookk gave us a great over view of the plain indians and a great placed to start from in making a diarama and a written report. My daughter could read all the information herself and had a great knowledge

This is an easy to read, valuable piece of near-primary source material - which fills in the gaps that I find in most collections of the last 400 years of American history. Like adding Howard Zinn material to your study of US history, the words of Black Hawk balance the traditional textbook summary of native Indian history and culture.

Black Hawk speaks in a narrative storyline that deserves our attention and understanding. He was without the benefit of support, and thus was unable to confirm the more than substantial memory at his grasp. The editorial notations added within the text that at times confirm or counter Black Hawk's telling, though intended to clarify the historical record, will thus serve to mildly frustrate the reading.

And although this is an "autobiography" of his life, there are significant questions as to the caliber of translation of Black Hawk's words. Just enough so that I imagined him actually telling of his life in his native tongue to one truly fluent in the language and how much richer the story would be.

I found myself marveling most the sections where Black Hawk speaks of the power of nature and it's interwoven influence on the lives of the native tribes, as well as their deep respect and understanding for the impact living things have on one another. By contrasting his culture with the encroaching white settler culture, he is prescient of what is to come. Through the eyes and words of this sincere man, we hear of the habit of deception and the power of greed of a dominating culture which will eventually strip away most all valuable material things from these people, while at the same moment speaking faithlessly of highest ideals and principles.

The book is a top read for anyone curious to hear a more authentic, first-hand narrative of the realities of life in the 1800's for a wise but slowly disappearing culture.

During the War of 1812, Black Hawk (1767-1838), a chief among the Sauk and Fox Indians, fought on the side of the British. In 1823, after signing a treaty with the United States, the Sauk and Fox were compelled to leave their lands in present-day Illinois, and move west of the Mississippi River. In April 1832, after Black Hawk had received what he considered to be too many affronts, he led a large following back to the disputed land, beginning what was later known as the Black Hawk War (April-August 1832). After his surrender, Black Hawk was given a tour of the expanding United States, and he decided that he wished to have recorded his life's story, so that the people of the United States could understand him and his reasons for going to war. This is the Black Hawk's life story.

This book was originally published in 1833, and was supposedly dictated by Black Hawk to his translator, Antoine Leclair. There is some speculation as to how much of this work is actually Black Hawk's own words, and how much is Leclair's ghost writing. But, I must admit that I did not bother much with this controversy. I found the book to be a fascinating look into Black Hawk's mind and how he saw the European-American settlement of the United States.

First of all, the hero of this story is no sugar-coated Disney character. His story is filled with battle and plunder and the taking of scalps. A true warrior, steeped in his culture's ideals, he lived and fought in what he considered an honorable and logical manner, and could not understand the way that the white people lived and fought. This is no politically correct paean to the Native-Americans, but a clear-eyed explanation of who Black Hawk was, and why he did what he did.

So, if you are interested in American history, and want a view of the Indian Wars from the Native-American side, then I highly recommend this book to you.

Light On The Indian World: The Essential Writings Of Charles Eastman (Ohiyesa) is a collection of the writings of Charles Eastman, who was born in 1858 and raised in the traditional nomadic life of the Sioux Native Americans prior to the era of reservations. Critical selections from "The Soul of the Indian," "The Indian Today," "Indian Boyhood," and "From the Deep Woods to Civilization" bring out key insights in Charles Eastman's work that transcend time and generations. Light On The Indian World is a fascinating, engaging, informative and memorable addition to personal, academic, and community library Native American Studies supplemental reading lists and academic reference collections.

I have read quite a few books on traditional native practices from all over the world (not all of those which claim to teach or describe such practices are accurate, quite a few are misguided or outright frauds). I had come across the name Charles Eastman in bibliographies and indices of those works that featured Native North American practices, and thought he was an anthropologist (white) who had done some of the earlier studies, given that many of the works had a publication date in the early 1900s. "Light on the Indian World" corrected that misperception. Charles Eastman was a member of the Santee Sioux, born and raised to the age of 15 in the traditional tribal manner, in a tribe that had not yet been forced onto a reservation.

At the request of his father, he joined his father on a reservation, attended school and learned English, then was able to attend college and university, eventually becoming a medical doctor, probably the first Native American to become one. He then returned to his people and worked as a reservation physician, and later lobbyist for native issues in Congress.

What a wonderful gift he has given us! A double digit number of books by his own hand, plus others such as "Light on the Indian World" which are excellent compilations or commentaries of his works. He allows us to see inside the world of the pre-reservation Native Americans, and truly appreciate their world view, such as their relationship with what we might call `the unseen world'. A heart-felt appreciation of the Earth and Nature is exactly what contemporary industrialized nations need, to slow-down the rampant abuse of the Earth's natural resources, which are currently being used up at a rate far exceeding the capacity of the Earth to replace them. Such abuse can only lead to the destruction of those societies founded on the consumption of such resources, and requiring their continued consumption in order to survive. All of the works of Charles Eastman help us see the world around us in a new light, and hopefully change our actions enough to prevent the coming environmental devastation.

This book should be required reading for all Civics teachers, lawyers, and judges especially the Supreme Court.

Robert A. Williams Jr.'s LIKE A LOADED WEAPON: THE REHNQUIST COURT, INDIAN RIGHTS, AND THE LEGAL HISTORY OF RACISM IN AMERICA blends Native American issues with overall racism issues, using these issues to consider how racist language are still used in Indian law to deny rights. Racist language has long legalized a form of racial superiority of whites in America, Williams argues: his background as law professor and American Indian studies professor allows for a unique dual perspective.

If you love the old west, then you will love these two tapes. Little Big Horn tells the story of Custer's last stand in all of it's rousing glory. Some say Custer was a fool, but you can not question his bravery! The music and sound effects really make this piece of history zing. I really like the tune Gary Owen. The Bozeman Trail is a bonous program that tells the story of the little known Fetterman Massacre. The similarities to what happened at the Little Big Horn are erie. I highly recommend this for any history buff, or lover of the old west. Sit back with your favorite bottle of Rot gut, and let the shoot out begin.

A buddy of mine is a memeber of a group that works hard to study and preserve the Little Big Horn Battlefield. He let me take this tape home and listen to it. I have never heard anything like this before. They used music, actors and sound effects to make a sort of radio movie. I found this to be really cool and recommend it to everyone. My friend says that it is also very detailed and correct from a historical view.

I was elected President of School of the Osage PTA because of my dedication to education and I highly recommend Little Fish! My six year old son and my twelve year old daughter both enjoyed reading this book and it reinforced some important lessons that I have tried to teach them. Jacob, my six year old, is very small for his size and is the youngest student in his first grade class. Perhaps that explains partly why he related so well with the story of Little Fish. Sometimes Jacob gets frustrated because he can't run as fast or kick a ball as high as most of the children his age and reading this story helped to give him the encouragement that he needs to, "never give up." I am sure that through the years we will read this book over and over again. Chapter 8 even taught me things that I did not know about Trout! Ralph Moisa, Jr. was kind enough to visit our school and tell a story to the children. My son still shares that experience with everyone that he meets! Lisa Hader- President of School of the Osage Lower El. PTA

Little Fish learns there is more world around her than just the shallow waters of where she was born. Old fish, one of the grandfathers, comes to teach the young fish people how to reach a new place to live and survive. Will Little Fish try hard and succeed to reach the new waters or will it be too hard so she gives up? A great story about teaching those around you about the ways of life simply written for young readers. Ralph Moisa does an excellent job of using his Indian history to convey his meaning of the important job that "fore-fathers" have of guiding the young. Mr. Moisa also includes a non-fiction section at the end of the book sharing information about trout. This book relates well with Great Eagle, Small One, another good book written by Ralph Moisa with the same format.

I enjoyed this book because first off I know the writer, and my dad is his best friend. I also enjoyed the book because each indian tribe has it's own process of turning a boy into a man and this book had a diffrent way of going about that.

Little Ha-Ha Review By Melissa Finstead Families for Literacy Coordinator, SPARC The literacy program of the Arcadia, Monrovia and South Pasadena Libraries South Pasadena, California

Thank you for providing us three copies of the enchanting fable, Little Ha-Ha. It will be a welcome addition to our literacy collections in the three libraries with which we are partners (Arcadia, Monrovia and South Pasadena).

Little Ha-Ha is an "easy reader," for ages 7-12, but it will be appreciated by readers of all ages. The vocabulary is a bit advanced for our adult learners, especially the beginning readers who are learning phonics. On the other hand, many texts designed for new adult readers are insultingly simple. New readers will not be insulted by this vocabulary which includes such words as "slightly," "epiphany," "exacerbated," "butte," and "travois."

Little Ha-Ha is a charming fable of a Native American boy with an inclusive vision for the future and a great respect for our planet. At the tender age of "nine winters," Ha-Ha sees beyond his own tribal boundaries. His intuition reveals to him the potential negative consequences of continuing to do things the way things gave been done by "his father and his father's father, and his father's father's father. The future is at stake.

Vision is what the book is really all about. It underscores the importance of seeing the broader implications of one's actions. The story opens with Little Ha-Ha attending his first hunt, and with this scene, Ha-Ha's uncertainties begin to take shape. There must be a better way. Two animals are killed, a buck and a doe. Despite Ha-Ha's father's ceremony and respect for the Great Spirit who provided the animals, Ha-Ha becomes physically ill and embarrasses his father in front of the tribe. This is our first glimpse of a tense father-son relationship. We later learn that Ha-Ha's father is so frustrated with his son that he thinks of trading him for horses and guns. The father, aptly named "Rain-In-His-Eyes," is clearly a man without vision. He will never see eye-to-eye with his oddly gifted son. Upon witnessing the slaughter of the animals, Ha-Ha determines to learn what this hunt means for "the future of his people."

Ha-Ha does not see this animal sacrifice as the "will of the Great Spirit," and sets off on his vision quest to learn how to truly honor the Earth and her blessings. He heads toward his "emotional destination." He first meets Terri-Walks-With Flowers in his dream and then eventually finds her. (Remember, this is a fable) As they move toward each other, each is followed by all the animals along the way. The animals are fluent in the language of Terri's white buffalo, and he guides them to a meeting place where they all lie down together. One envisions the lion and the lamb lying side by side. In any case, the animals are "happy beyond compare," and clearly no animals will be sacrificed in this place of peace, love and plenty. Upon finally meeting, Terri and Ha-Ha "were complete," as were the pre-lapsarian Adam and Eve.

This is a fable complete with a fairly clear moral, but its message is tempered with great humor. Little Ha-Ha warns us about a future without a diversified community and without a plan to preserve the earth and all its inhabitants. How can the reader chuckle reading something so profound? To help Terri "walk with honor and tell her visions," special moccasins are carefully crafted by Ha-Ha's grandmother so "the wearer does not say hello to shin splints." Terri's great white buffalo, the very emblem of "a light that knows no boundaries," nevertheless "causes a great stink to the general area" if he stays too long inside the tipi. At the culmination of this fable, when the story is at its most poignant, the buffalo again lightens the moment. Ha-Ha finally meets up with Terri and he waxes lyrical as he presents her with the magic moccasins. The buffalo rolls his eyes indicating that Ha-Ha "should make his point and cut to the chase."

Little Ha-Ha and Terri compliment each other perfectly. They meet in a shared vision of a better world, a place where people will share their gifts freely with each other, a place where people recognize that they need each other to survive. They seem to have been almost "sacrificed" in bringing this vision to the tribes. Perhaps the slain buck and doe at the beginning of the story represent Ha-Ha and Terri who together "leave this world for the real world beyond this one." They will go "with protection from the Great Spirit."

I liked the cd because I liked the book. And also because I'd rather follow along with a cd rather then read the book myself. I happen to not be a very big fan of reading.

Little Ha-Ha Review By Melissa Finstead Families forLiteracyCoordinator, SPARC The literacy program. ...

Little Ha-Ha is an"easy reader," for ages 7-12, but it will be appreciated byreaders of all ages. The vocabulary is a bit advanced for our adultlearners, especially the beginning readers who are learningphonics. On the other hand, many texts designed for new adult readersare insultingly simple. New readers will not be insulted by thisvocabulary which includes such words as "slightly,""epiphany," "exacerbated," "butte," and"travois."

Little Ha-Ha is a charming fable of a NativeAmerican boy with an inclusive vision for the future and a greatrespect for our planet. At the tender age of "nine winters,"Ha-Ha sees beyond his own tribal boundaries. His intuition reveals tohim the potential negative consequences of continuing to do things theway things gave been done by "his father and his father's father,and his father's father's father. The future is at stake.

Vision iswhat the book is really all about. It underscores the importance ofseeing the broader implications of one's actions. The story opens withLittle Ha-Ha attending his first hunt, and with this scene, Ha-Ha'suncertainties begin to take shape. There must be a better way. Twoanimals are killed, a buck and a doe. Despite Ha-Ha's father'sceremony and respect for the Great Spirit who provided the animals,Ha-Ha becomes physically ill and embarrasses his father in front ofthe tribe. This is our first glimpse of a tense father-sonrelationship. We later learn that Ha-Ha's father is so frustrated withhis son that he thinks of trading him for horses and guns. The father,aptly named "Rain-In-His-Eyes," is clearly a man withoutvision. He will never see eye-to-eye with his oddly gifted son. Uponwitnessing the slaughter of the animals, Ha-Ha determines to learnwhat this hunt means for "the future of his people."

Ha-Hadoes not see this animal sacrifice as the "will of the GreatSpirit," and sets off on his vision quest to learn how to trulyhonor the Earth and her blessings. He heads toward his "emotionaldestination." He first meets Terri-Walks-With Flowers in his dreamand then eventually finds her. (Remember, this is a fable) As theymove toward each other, each is followed by all the animals along theway. The animals are fluent in the language of Terri's white buffalo,and he guides them to a meeting place where they all lie downtogether. One envisions the lion and the lamb lying side by side. Inany case, the animals are "happy beyond compare," and clearly noanimals will be sacrificed in this place of peace, love andplenty. Upon finally meeting, Terri and Ha-Ha "were complete,"as were the pre-lapsarian Adam and Eve.

This is a fable completewith a fairly clear moral, but its message is tempered with greathumor. Little Ha-Ha warns us about a future without a diversifiedcommunity and without a plan to preserve the earth and all itsinhabitants. How can the reader chuckle reading something so profound?To help Terri "walk with honor and tell her visions," specialmoccasins are carefully crafted by Ha-Ha's grandmother so "thewearer does not say hello to shin splints." Terri's great whitebuffalo, the very emblem of "a light that knows no boundaries,"nevertheless "causes a great stink to the general area" if hestays too long inside the tipi. At the culmination of this fable, whenthe story is at its most poignant, the buffalo again lightens themoment. Ha-Ha finally meets up with Terri and he waxes lyrical as hepresents her with the magic moccasins. The buffalo rolls his eyesindicating that Ha-Ha "should make his point and cut to thechase."

Little Ha-Ha and Terri compliment each otherperfectly. They meet in a shared vision of a better world, a placewhere people will share their gifts freely with each other, a placewhere people recognize that they need each other to survive. They seemto have been almost "sacrificed" in bringing this vision to thetribes. Perhaps the slain buck and doe at the beginning of the storyrepresent Ha-Ha and Terri who together "leave this world for thereal world beyond this one." They will go "with protection fromthe Great Spirit."