Northern Passage: Ethnography and Apprenticeship Among the Subarctic Dene (Paperback)

~ (Author)

Editorial Reviews

Product Description

What is it like living among and learning about the cultural realities of other people for the first time? Northern Passage uses the motif of apprenticeship to reveal the humbling, childlike quest of the novice ethnographer, on the one hand, and the trials of an active participant learning the intricacies of bush life and livelihood from subarctic Indian hunting partners and teachers, on the other hand. In the process, Jarvenpa's reflexive narrative presents a compelling vision of northern Dene or Athapaskan society. The Han people of the Yukon Territory and eastern Alaska, and the Chipewyan of northern Saskatchewan, emerge as vividly drawn actors in a cultural landscape distinctly influenced by gold miners, fur traders, missionaries, conservation officers, and other post-colonial agents. This candid but sensitive treatment deals with issues such as trapping economies, knowledge of the environment, dreaming and hunting power, permission and informed consent, language learning, accusations of spying, alcohol use, economic development, partnerships, note-taking, and the pros and cons of active participation. Jarvenpa's early field experiences unfold as a primer on false leads, setbacks and revealing discoveries building to a suspenseful aftershock.

From the Publisher

Northern Passage will be of relevance to anyone interested in Native North Americans, circumpolar societies, Indian-European relations, hunter-gatherers, ecological anthropology, and ethnographic field methods. Students in introductory cultural anthropology courses will readily identify with the book's focus on a young fieldworker just learning his craft. Titles of related interest from Waveland Press: Brody, Maps and Dreams: Indians of the British Columbia Frontier (ISBN 9780881339659) and Ziker, Peoples of the Tundra: Northern Siberians in the Post-Communist Transition (ISBN 9781577662129).

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Product Details

• Paperback: 210 pages
• Publisher: Waveland Press (February 1998)
• Language: English
• ISBN-10: 0881339903
• ISBN-13: 978-0881339901
• Product Dimensions: 8.9 x 6 x 0.6 inches
• Shipping Weight: 11.2 ounces (View shipping rates and policies)
• Average Customer Review: 4.0 out of 5 stars  See all reviews (1 customer review)
• Amazon.com Sales Rank: #505,701 in Books (See Bestsellers in Books)

Customer Reviews

Most Helpful Customer Reviews

4.0 out of 5 stars Interesting insights into the Han and Chipewyan cultures, April 9, 2009

By	Eileen Palsson (Sollentuna Sweden) - See all my reviews (REAL NAME)

I'm neither an anthropologist nor a professional reviewer, but since no one else had reviewed this book, I thought I might give it a shot.
I purchased this book because I'll be taking a trip to Canada and Alaska this summer, and I'm interested in learning more about the native people before I go. And I wasn't disappointed. The people came alive for me and I felt I got a feeling for how different the Han and Chipewyan cultures are (or were -- the events in the book took place in the 1970's). There were some pictures, drawings, and basic maps that were good additions.
I thought it might be dry reading, but some of the author's experiences had me laughing out loud. I did wonder about the editing, as there were a few jarring grammatical errors. But overall I would recommend this book to someone who is interested in learning about the Dene or Athapaskan way of life.