She Who Watches [Paperback]

Willa Holmes (Author), Willa B. Holmes (Author), Anderson Benally (Author), Pam Henningsen (Author)

Book Description

ISBN-10: 0832305200 | ISBN-13: 978-0832305207 | Publication Date: October 2001 | Edition: 1st

The petroglyph called :She Who Watches: is scratched into a pillar of rock overlooking the Columbia River near The Dalles Dam. Wishram legends of Tsagaglalal, Coyote and others are interwoven in this charming narrative about the origin of the all-seeing image in the stone. Based on the oral traditions of the Wishram people translated and transcribed by Anthropologist, Edward Sapir and Photographer, Edward Curtis. Beautifully illustrated by Native American Artist, Anderson Benally. Color illustrations. Foreword. Notes. Bibliography. Pronunciation key.

Editorial Reviews

Review

The book's evocative first sentence strikes the right note: "Once, in the time before memories, Tsagaglalal, woman chief of the Wishram, arose in the darkness just before dawn." Throughout the book, as she weaves the many elements together, the author retains the mystery and poetry of her subject.

So many disparate elements - customs, folklore, carvings - might easily be dull and confusing, but the author tells them all in the language of legends, combining them so skillfully that the book retains interest and has a satisfying unity. Although She Who Watches has the size and lavish illustrations of a picture book, its material is suitable for any age, child to adult.

Overall, She Who Watches is a brief but beautiful book a valuable addition to the lore of Indian legend, and a unique contribution to knowledge about the Wishram tribe. -- Reviewed by Dorothy Nafus Morrison, Oregon Historical Society Quarterly, Winter 98-99, Volume 99 #4

From the Back Cover

The Illustrator - Noted Native American artist, Anderson Benally, was born in the Southwest and has lived for more than twenty years in Eastern Oregon. He has a deep interest in Northwest Indian Culture. He attended Rutgers University and was graduated from Eastern Oregon University. His paintings are shown in galleries in many western states.

The Author - Although Willa Holmes came to the Northwest after the dams were built on the Columbia River, she's come to love the history and lore of the old, wild river ant its peoples. She is a retired high school teacher, mother of four and grandmother of ten. She lives with Tom, her husband of nearly fifty years, close to the Columbia River in Wood Village, Oregon.

"She Who Watches is beautifully written, full of gentleness, and humor, and dignity. These Columbia River tales, once told by the Oldest of the Old, and retold here in the simple, lyrical style of oral traditions, engage and move us, even as they illuminate our path into the distant past." Molly Gloss

Product Details

• Paperback: 48 pages
• Publisher: Binford & Mort Publishing; 1st edition (October 2001)
• Language: English
• ISBN-10: 0832305200
• ISBN-13: 978-0832305207
• Product Dimensions: 10.8 x 8.4 x 0.2 inches
• Shipping Weight: 8 ounces
• Amazon Best Sellers Rank: #2,230,256 in Books (See Top 100 in Books)

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