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Books
The Encyclopedia of the First Peoples
of North America
by Rayna Green wth Melanie Fernandez
Groundwood/Douglas McIntyre, 1999
hardcover, colour, 224 pp, $35 Cdn
This book is designed as an introduction to Native
North American history and culture—a taste of
the depth and breadth of the rich and colourful culture
of peoples who inhabited this continent. Alphabetic
entries, well illustrated with photographs, paintings and maps,
provide an interesting, although not exhaustive, glimpse into a few of the
over 300 tribal peoples of North America. Accompanying quotes from First
Nations individuals help to bring a personal perspective to the articles.
More suitable for browsing than for research, this volume provides fascinating
reading for anyone interested in learning more about the First Peoples
of North America.
A Sto:lo-Coast Salish Historical Atlas
Edited by Keith Thor Carlson
Douglas & McIntyre, 2001
hardcover, colour and b/w photos, illustrations
and maps, 224 pp, $65 Cdn $50 US
This remarkable volume is a collaborative
work of native and non-native scholars. It
presents an in-depth view of the cultural region
of the Coast Salish Sto:lo of the lower Fraser River, spanning 15,000
years of history of the land and the people who have inhabited it from
prehistoric to modern time. Although regretably there is no index, this large
format book with more than 100 maps, 115 illustrations and 193 photographs,
is easily accessible and will be of interest to both general interest
and academic readers. In addition to thematic articles, the book includes a
comprehensive historical timeline, over 720 place names with English translations,
and complete transcriptions of dozens of letters and petitions from
Coast Salish people to the government, protesting their loss of rights and
lands. This appendix provides a fascinating insight into the history of the
relationship between the original inhabitants of the region and the people
who came later as settlers.
From Time Immemorial: The First People of the
Pacific Northwest Coast
by Diane Silvey, Pacific Edge Publishing, 2000
softcover, b/w and colour photos and illustrations
92 pp, $18.95 Cdn, www.classroomresources.com
Although this is a student text written for the BC Social
Studies curriculum, there is much of interest for
anyone wanting to learn about the culture of the coastal
peoples. Author/educator Diane Silvey brings to this
work her passion about her Coast Salish heritage. She
describes life before Europeans, then documents the devastating effects of
contact. The text is well illustrated by Joe Silvey, the author’s son, and has
many archival photos and maps. (Ed. Note: The map on page 22 of this issue
was borrowed from the book.) A comprehensive Teacher’s Guide is also available.
For more info and sample pages, see www.classroomresources.com.
LPW KAYAK POWER SYSTEMS
Ph: 775-882-2535 www.LightPerformanceWorks.com
2000 E. Clearview Dr. Carson City, NV 89701 Fax: 775-882-2760
48 www.WaveLengthMagazine.com February/March 2003