“Indigenous knowledge comes from many distinct communities, but braids together these ideas:
Everything is connected.
The world is a gift.
The sacred is a vital part of learning.
We are always learning.”

Sky Wolf’s Call offers a view on how ancient traditions and history are tied to the modern lives of Indigenous people and how many of their beliefs can be applicable to various fields including (but not limited to) health, fire control, and conservation. This is not a work about “long ago” people or “dated” customs. The cultures referenced here are very much alive and still adapting. “Indigenous knowledge is fluid…” An excellent example is that words for “black holes” and “gravitational waves” have been added into “Blackfoot,” or, more accurately, the Niitsi’poysin language.

In the 120 page volume, the reader will have plenty of interesting tidbits to take away. For example, the Three Sisters garden method is presented in a braid of legend and tradition leading to the modern gardening practice of planting corn, squash, and beans together as the plants “do better when grown together.” There really are no wasted words. Even “Author’s Note”, which explains the differences between “nation,” “band,” and “tribe,” is well worth the reader’s time. However, this isn’t a book that must be read straight through. The side bars, anecdotes, and biography spotlights serve well as intriguing “brief” reads.

According to Sky Wolf’s Call, there are 573 recognized tribes in United States and 600 First Nations in Canada. They are our neighbors; they ARE us. Upper elementary readers, teens, and adults are strongly encouraged to give this book a try.