Grandparents have so much to share with their grandchildren; that is abundantly clear in this addition to The Land is Our Storybook series. Filled with appealing and illuminating text and photographs, it describes the summer visit of four grandchildren to their grandparents, Eileen and Henry Beaver, who live in Fort Smith, Northwest Territories.
Henry Beaver, who is Cree, shares many truths about his culture, and passes on traditional understandings to his grandchildren who are visiting from Edmonton with their mother. They begin on the land with a visit to the Salt Plains, and a lesson on harvesting salt. It is used as medicine, and also for flavoring and preserving food. All four grandchildren then go with their grandfather to trap a beaver. Once they have caught their beaver, they take it home to be skinned and used for its meat and its hide.
They are taught the step-by-step process for setting up a tipi (mikiwawhp); every step is clearly described and monitored by Henry. Once constructed, the tipi is prepared for giving thanks, roasting marshmallows, and telling stories. Eileen describes smudging and their sacred plants: sage, tobacco, cedar and sweetgrass. Then, Henry takes the children out on the land to find other medicinal plants.
So many lessons taught and learned together is at the heart of this remarkable book. It is filled with family photos, shared memories and provides a warm and loving look at the role elders play in indigenous communities. All additional notes are welcome and of benefit to readers.
"We can't tell you what to do with the truths we share in this book, but we hope that reading our story will help you get to know us a little better so that together we can make this nation a place we can all be proud of."
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