annieb123's review against another edition

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5.0

Originally posted on my blog: Nonstop Reader.

Sky Wolf's Call is a well written, accessible, and respectful examination of the knowledge systems of the indigenous peoples of North America and how they have traditionally passed on knowledge to younger generations. Due out 5th April 2022 from Annick Press, it's 120 pages and will be available in hardcover, paperback, and ebook formats.

The authors, Dr. Eldon Yellowhorn & Kathy Lowinger, have written clearly and understandably. Although the book is aimed at young/middle school aged readers, I found it both interesting and educational. Potentially unfamiliar terms and names (indigenous, tribes, nations, Indian, Aboriginal, and many more) are defined clearly in context, and the book also contains an abbreviated glossary and index.

The material is arranged logically and thematically: the systems of passing knowledge (Sky Wolf's call), water knowledge, fire and smoke knowledge and uses, food and food security, healing, celestial physics/navigation/time, keeping and passing on traditional knowledge, and culture and the future. I am so impressed with how meticulously this book is researched and how respectfully written - the bibliography and resource links will provide readers with many hours of further exploration and learning.

The book is very well photographed throughout with lots of facsimile documents, paintings, charts, and objects in addition to the beautiful colour photography of animals, people, gatherings, and landscapes. It would make a superlative choice for public or school library acquisition, classroom use, or for the home library.

Five stars.

Disclosure: I received an ARC at no cost from the author/publisher for review purposes.

mj_31's review against another edition

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informative inspiring reflective

5.0

elizabethlk's review against another edition

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4.0

I've read the two previous collaborations of Yellowhorn and Lowinger (Turtle Island: The Story of North America's First People and What the Eagle Sees: Indigenous Stories of Rebellion and Renewal) and loved both, so I've been looking forward to reading Sky Wolf's Call: The Gift of Indigenous Knowledge. It's an enjoyable, engaging, and informative read, and I would definitely recommend it. It covers Indigenous science, history, and philosophy, and it manages to be a very informative primer on the subject, as well as a great case for introducing these ideas into mainstream knowledge for the benefit of all (and especially Indigenous people). It's worth the read for sure, and I plan on continuing to read anything they put out.

tanya_tbart's review against another edition

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adventurous emotional informative inspiring reflective relaxing slow-paced

5.0

maidmarianlib's review against another edition

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hopeful informative inspiring slow-paced

5.0

Great introduction into an important way of knowing

lelliereads's review against another edition

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5.0

Sky Wolf's Call is a collection of Indigenous knowledge of the natural world across native communities throughout North America. Each chapter focuses on a different element (fire, water, food, etc.). For example, the water chapter gives mythological stories about the ways water is sacred and how these stories shape culture, shows how the ancient Hohokam's built canals and how canoes shaped North American coasts, and shows how today there are policies in place that make water polluted or inaccessible on reservations and how Indigenous people are fighting for their rights to water. This is the format throughout and also includes modern people who are leading these causes. I like that it included examples from tribes across Canada, the US, and Mexico. It's very informative and includes a glossary, further reading examples, and a source log in the back.

This should be required reading in elementary schools. It is beyond the time to start listening to Indigenous voices and to ensure that the remaining languages and cultures that exist can continue to exist.

Thank you to netgalley for a free copy in exchange for an honest review.

kseaward's review against another edition

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informative

5.0

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