Our Stories Remember: American Indian History, Culture, and Values through Storytelling [Paperback]

Joseph Bruchac (Author)

Book Description

ISBN-10: 1555911293 | ISBN-13: 978-1555911294 | Publication Date: March 7, 2003

Within the pages of this introduction to American Indian history, culture, and values, readers will gain insight into the totality of Native American experience and culture. Each chapter in the book explores a particular shared cultural value or world view through both traditional stories and Bruchac's commentary. A diverse range of Native groups is included-Tlingit, Navajo, Cree, Abenaki, Yupik, Seminole, Sioux, Cherokee, and many mor

--This text refers to an alternate Paperback edition.

Editorial Reviews

From School Library Journal

In this fascinating book, Bruchac relays the importance of story within Native societies to entertain, teach lessons, and maintain the history of individual nations. Part cultural lesson, part history, and part autobiography, the book contains a wealth of information. Each chapter begins with an epigraph from a Native source; some chapters end with an annotated list of recommended reading. Each chapter also contains stories. Some of the tales are set off from the main text, but many more are woven into it-stories within stories within stories. Bruchac has included source notes for each selection as well as the epigraphs. This important volume includes a wealth of traditional stories and solid information.
S K Joiner, Brazoria County Library System, Angleton, TX
Copyright 2003 Reed Business Information, Inc.

From Booklist

Bruchac, prolific Native American author and children's storyteller, synthesizes the stories of many different Indian nations, including Navajo, Abenaki, Cherokee, Cree, Sioux, and Tlingit in order to illustrate core values, which are pivotal to them all. In the old days, he writes, telling stories that "remember when people forget" was as important as shelter building, hunting, and ceremonies because "they showed the right way to behave." Chapters devoted to the earth's origins, the "circularity of existence" (all created things are of equal importance), art, the spirit world, and life-sustaining plants and animals all come together to elucidate the Native American belief that "we are one with everything around us." Bruchac feels it is time for whites to stop feeling guilty about the plight of the American Indian, and to begin to take positive action--to "refill our cups with life." "Pour out your cup," he urges, "fill it with stories." This thought-provoking work, enriched with valuable annotated reading lists, should inspire and help each reader to take that first step. Deborah Donovan
Copyright © American Library Association. All rights reserved

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Product Details

• Paperback: 192 pages
• Publisher: Fulcrum Publishing (March 7, 2003)
• Language: English
• ISBN-10: 1555911293
• ISBN-13: 978-1555911294
• Product Dimensions: 7.3 x 5.4 x 0.6 inches
• Shipping Weight: 7.2 ounces (View shipping rates and policies)
• Average Customer Review: 5.0 out of 5 stars  See all reviews (2 customer reviews)
• Amazon Best Sellers Rank: #164,986 in Books (See Top 100 in Books)

More About the Author

Joseph Bruchac is a highly acclaimed Abenaki children's book author, poet, novelist and storyteller, as well as a scholar of Native American culture. Coauthor with Michael Caduto of the bestselling Keepers of the Earth series, Bruchac's poems, articles and stories have appeared in over 500 publications, from Akwesasne Notes and American Poetry Review to National Geographic and Parabola. He has authored more than 50 books for adults and children. For more information about Joseph, please visit his website www.josephbruchac.com.

Customer Reviews

Most Helpful Customer Reviews

4 of 4 people found the following review helpful:

5.0 out of 5 stars Our Stories Remember, March 28, 2011

By 

mosey - See all my reviews

Amazon Verified Purchase

This review is from: Our Stories Remember: American Indian History, Culture, and Values through Storytelling (Paperback)

After previewing this book, I decided it was just what I wanted for my Native American Literature students. There are discussions of culture, history, mores and the stories themselves. It was everything it purports to be. What my students especially appreciated is Mr. Bruchac's perceptions of the education system as regards Native Americans, not only historically, but presently. Thank you, Amazon, for carrying good books such as this.

4 of 4 people found the following review helpful:

5.0 out of 5 stars Necessary Book for All Storytellers, October 12, 2010

By 

U. R. Israel "ravens puppets" (Seattle Washington) - See all my reviews
(REAL NAME)   

Amazon Verified Purchase

This review is from: Our Stories Remember: American Indian History, Culture, and Values through Storytelling (Paperback)

In this thoughtful, well organized book the author has clearly created a path for the authentic storyteller. Native Americans have faced cultural appropriation of their legends since Colonization. Mr. Bruchac guides the storyteller, teacher, historian or generally interested individual towards respect and traditional honor and understanding of American Indian history, culture and values through storytelling.