Sky Wolf's Call: The Gift of Indigenous Knowledge

by Eldon Yellowhorn and Kathy Lowinger

From healing to astronomy to our connection to the natural world, the lessons from Indigenous knowledge inform our learning and practices today.

How do knowledge systems get passed down over generations? Through the knowledge inherited from their Elders and ancestors, Indigenous Peoples throughout North America have observed, practiced, experimented, and interacted with plants, animals, the sky, and the waters over millennia. Knowledge keepers have shared their wisdom with younger people through oral history, stories, ceremonies, and records that took many forms.

In Sky Wolf’s Call, award-winning author team of Eldon Yellowhorn and Kathy Lowinger reveal how Indigenous knowledge comes from centuries of practices, experiences, and ideas gathered by people who have a long history with the natural world. Indigenous knowledge is explored through the use of fire and water, the acquisition of food, the study of astronomy, and healing practices.

• ISBN10: 1773216295
• ISBN13: 9781773216294
• Publish Date: 19 May 2022
• Publish Status: Active
• Publish Country: CA
• Imprint: Annick Press Ltd
• Format: Paperback (US Trade)
• Pages: 120
• Language: English

Reviews

[annieb123]

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.