Can he, do it? Will he have the same fate as his brothers? Told in prose, I found myself reading this book slower than I typically read a book because I found that the book was loaded with power words. There is nothing wrong with using such language, but I found myself reading slower and deciphering the story. So instead of some authors stating, they sat around the fire, this book would state, they were “lounging near the fire.” The image between these two statements is totally different. I enjoyed this journey, and the imaginary used as the boy makes his way to the mountain to find food.
When the young boy encounters the eagle Savik, he learns of the fate of his siblings, and I knew immediately that he is smarter than his brothers, but will he make it back home safely when his journey with Savik is completed. There is much to learn and remember as Savik tries to explain it all to his young warrior. I think of the responsibility this young man has and how his life has changed as he makes his way with Savik. This was an interesting read. 4 stars
Windy Girl likes to hang out in her Uncle’s pickup truck. She hears the best stories while sitting in his truck. Her uncle can remember when he was a young child but Windy Girl’s favorite stories are when he talks about the powwow. I thought this was so sweet that she sits with her uncle in his truck and that they have some bonding time. Without any outside forces, with just the two of them together, they can focus on each other. As her Uncle talks about the powwow, this story reminds her of her own dog, Itchy Boy.
Windy Girl and Itchy Boy loved their days at the powwow. Everyone was happy at the powwow as they sang, danced and spent time with each other. Typically, the celebration would last until late into the night and the night sky would dance with the Northern Lights. The children and the dogs would fall asleep to the beating of the drums. Windy recalls a time when she had a weird yet wonderful dream about a powwow. Windy explains her dream and I do have to agree that this dream was weird and the illustrations make her dream, even more unusual. It was after she had this dream that Windy made some observations about powwows.
I liked how the story was written in two different languages, I thought that was interesting. I liked looking at the Ojibwa language that was written out below the English language. It seemed the language had longer words and it was hard to pronounce, at least I thought so. I was disappointed in the illustrations. I would have liked the illustrations to have been more realistic and softer to create a more secure feeling. I did enjoy reading the Author’s notes at the back of the book yet I wanted more of them. 3 stars
We all should know how important our water supply is. It’s not something that we should take for granted, ask anyone who doesn’t have water or has had to go without their water for an extended amount of time and they will tell you, water is precious. I really enjoyed how the author makes us look at water and how valuable it really is.
“It nourished us inside our mother’s body.
As it nourished us her on Mother Earth.
Water is sacred, she said. (Nokomis)”
I have to tell you that I went into this book blindly. I knew that it was a popular book and that it was up for some awards but I didn’t know its subject matter. For me, going into this book blindly was ideal as I had to guess what the author was referring to as she spoke of the black snake tainting the waters. Something has to be done to stop the black snake but what? She stepped forward, hoping to rally her people together to stop the black snake, but can they? They march as many, to also carry the torch for those without a voice, to fight those who wear blinders.
You definitely have to read the 2- page section at the back of the book, as I thought these notes and information gave the book more depth and force. The illustrations were fabulous with striking colors and images. Definitely a book that you have to read more than once. 5 stars.
Black Dog (Assiniboine) Expedition of 1913Mary Agnes Crispin Northern Arapahoe Expedition of 1913
I went to an Estate Sale a couple weekends ago looking for a few cheap baking dishes as once a month, a group of us women, bake a meal for a women’s shelter and I like to find dishes that I can just leave for them to keep. While I was there, I came across some pictures. They really caught my eye and the woman, running the sale wanted someone to buy them besides the worthless (she used stronger words) antique dealers who were coming back on half price day to finish buying all her good stuff. Boy, she hated those antique dealers!! I didn’t want to tell her that I have had a few of them in my family over the years.
Anyways, she said the pictures were originals. The homeowner and her had bought them at a Pow Wow, many years ago in a town not far from here. She had them priced really cheap, which I thought was strange, but she wanted to sell them before the dealers came back. I didn’t really care if they were originals, I just like them. I really didn’t have room on my walls for them but then, she said she’d sell them to me for half off, if I’d take them. I left after buying some dishes but then later returned and bought them. I rearranged some pictures and now, they look really good in my basement.
I remember playing with Johnny, Jane, & Josie West when I was younger. There was a Chief Cherokee Indian in the set along with some horses, other figures and accessories. I loved that set! I wasn’t one to play with Barbies but I loved this set and I have always wondered what happened to this set. Hum? Does anyone else remember this?
She told me there was a book by Joseph Dixon but one of the dealers bought it. That is the guy who took pictures of Native Americans in the early 1900’s and who also took these pictures. Now that I have these pictures, I’m interested in Dixon and these two individuals. There is some information on the back of the pictures which I’m trying to research which hasn’t turned up any good leads.
Joseph Dixon did write The Vanishing Race in 1913 which has a few additions. I’m looking at reading a version of it on Google Books which has it for free. The pictures inside the book are fantastic! I’m sure I’ll learn a great deal about the Native Americans in 1913.
Now, let me introduce to you: Black Dog (Assiniboine) 1913 and Mary Agnes Crispin (Northern Arapahoe) 1913. Aren’t they amazing?
One Chapter 