On the Trail Made of Dawn: American Indian Creation Myths
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Book Description
When knowledge was passed from generation to generation through story, early peoples in North America gathered to hear of how their world came to be. Their elders spoke of fundamental oncerns of a life lived close to the earth: the origin of the winds, or the stars, or the seasons; where night and day came from; how the first human, or animals, took breath and a rightful place in the world. ...
MoreWhen knowledge was passed from generation to generation through story, early peoples in North America gathered to hear of how their world came to be. Their elders spoke of fundamental oncerns of a life lived close to the earth: the origin of the winds, or the stars, or the seasons; where night and day came from; how the first human, or animals, took breath and a rightful place in the world.
This book contains thirteen such creation stories retold simply and powerfully for young children. The Eskimo, Tlingit, Maidu, Makah, Cree, Navajo, Hopi, Osage, Seneca, Cherokee, Sioux, and Shoshoni peoples are represented. Their legends are inhabited by figures like Old Man Father of Fish, who filled the ocean with food for the people-yet-to-be; Turtle the Earth-bearer; the two war gods, Little Fellows, who tame the wind; Water Spider, who stole fire for the world; and other wonderful characters who were literally present at the creation.
Good for reading aloud, and even for acting out, these stories will introduce young children to the sensibilities of native Americans, diverse though their cultures might be. Each story is set in context with a short introduction to the homelands, beliefs, and way of life of the people who told it.
M.L. Webster's career was in fair employment practices, equal opportunity, and affirmative action matters. This book is an outgrowth of the many summers she spent on a Chippewa reservation in northern Minnesota, where she first heard creation stories told by tribal elders. She has been a collector of Native American tales and traditions ever since.
Publisher | Linnet Books |
Binding | Library Binding |
Reading Level | Ages 9-12
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# of Pages | 96 |
ISBN-10 | 0208024972 |
ISBN-13 | 978-0208024978 |
Publication Date | 09/2001 |
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