History & Culture

Chief Seattle, in his youth a great war chief, became an advocate for peace and friendship with the white settlers of Puget Sound, Washington. He is renowned today for an eloquent speech given in 1854 during treaty negotiations with the U.S. government in which he expressed a hope for peaceful coexistence and advocated respect for the environment.

For generations wampum, the beaded belts and strings created from drilled shells and porcupine quills, have been used for personal decorations as well as official purposes and religious ceremonies. Wampum was introduced to the Iroquois at the time of the founding of the League of the Five Nations by Hiawatha, who taught the Five Nations that wampum should bring peace and bind peace and take the place of blood. Wampum came to be regarded as sacred. No Iroquois individual or nation would think of breaking a word or treaty if the treaty was made over a sacred wampum belt.

Natural childbirth, a respect for elders and spiritual practice, a sense of responsibility for family and tribe, and training in stillness and attentiveness (especially when interacting with the natural world) were important and beneficial aspects of traditional native childhood.

A handbook of outdoor knowledge from various Native tribes of North America includes traditional gardening methods, fishing and hunting, names and ways of birds and animals, Native calendars, stars, seasons and divisions of time, and lists of wild plants and their uses for food and medicines.

A short history from ancient times to modern day of the Eastern Cherokee tribe. Includes an account of The Trail of Tears, the forced removal of the tribe to Oklahoma.

A fascinating look into the traditional structure of Cherokee society of old which was the basic arrangement of Cherokee social, religious and political life developed into a structure of seven clans. Given here are clan names in Cherokee and English, descriptions of power animals of the clans, information on the matrilineal system, marriage, government, and more.

A vibrant, powerful democracy originated in North America long before the arrival of the Europeans. It grew out of a time of great warfare among the Iroquois Nations. Two wise men, Deganahwideh and Hiawatha, labored for five years to bring about peace. The Iroquois Confederacy that emerged controlled a territory larger than the whole of Europe. Tehanetorens chronicles this pioneering experiment in democracy that stood as a model for the fledgling American government.

The most comprehensive listing of Native American events held across North America. Entries are indexed by state and date, and include location, phone number, websites, and email addresses when available.

Over 90,000 copies sold!

To many Native Americans, powwows are an important cultural event, a celebration of identity and heritage that gives life to traditions of the past. They are also an opportunity to allow the non-native spectator to participate in an authentic, indigenous gathering that traces its roots back over a thousand years. In this descriptive guide you'll learn about the history and regalia of a number of different dances along with advice on powwow protocol. Includes 30 pages of beautiful illustrations of the dances by Native American artist Diana Stanley.

This illustrated little volume showcases the eloquence with which notable elders of various tribes have sought to express the wisdom of their culture.