This Month's Books

The Encyclopedia of the First Peoples of North America by Rayna Green wth Melanie Fernandez Groundwood

Douglas &McIntyre, 1999 hardcover, colour, 224 pp, $35 Cdn

This book is designed as an introduction to Native North American history and culture - a taste of the depth and breadth of the rich and colourful culture of peoples who inhabited this continent. Alphabetic entries, well illustrated with photographs, paintings and maps, provide an interesting, although not exhaustive, glimpse into a few of the over 300 tribal peoples of North America. Accompanying quotes from First Nations individuals help to bring a personal perspective to the articles. More suitable for browsing than for research, this volume provides fascinating reading for anyone interested in learning more about the First Peoples of North America.

A Sto:lo-Coast Salish Historical Atlas Edited by Keith Thor Carlson

Douglas & McIntyre, 2001 hardcover, colour and b/w photos, illustrations and maps, 224 pp, $65 Cdn $50 US

This remarkable volume is a collaborative work of native and non-native scholars. It presents an in-depth view of the cultural region of the Coast Salish Sto:lo of the lower Fraser River, spanning 15,000 years of history of the land and the people who have inhabited it from prehistoric to modern time. Although regretably there is no index, this large format book with more than 100 maps, 115 illustrations and 193 photographs, is easily accessible and will be of interest to both general interest and academic readers. In addition to thematic articles, the book includes a comprehensive historical timeline, over 720 place names with English translations, and complete transcriptions of dozens of letters and petitions from Coast Salish people to the government, protesting their loss of rights and lands. This appendix provides a fascinating insight into the history of the relationship between the original inhabitants of the region and the people who came later as settlers.

Listening to Whales by Alexandra Morton

Be sure to pick up Alex's beautiful new book, Listening to Whales to learn more about her incredible life and the orcas she studies.

Born and raised in Connecticut, she began her career in marine mammal research in 1976 when she moved to California to work for noted dolphin researcher Dr. John C. Lilly. Since 1984 she has lived at isolated Echo Bay in the Broughton Archipelago where she studies the language and habits of the various pods of orcas that visit the area. Chapters: www.chapters.indigo.ca - Amazon: www.amazon.com

From Time Immemorial: The First People of the Pacific Northwest Coast
by Diane Silvey.

Pacific Edge Publishing, 2000 softcover, b/w and colour photos and illustrations 92 pp, $18.95 Cdn, www.classroomresources.com

Although this is a student text written for the BC Social Studies curriculum, there is much of interest for anyone wanting to learn about the culture of the coastal peoples. Author/educator Diane Silvey brings to this work her passion about her Coast Salish heritage. She describes life before Europeans, then documents the devastating effects of contact. The text is well illustrated by Joe Silvey, the author’s son, and has many archival photos and maps.

(Ed. Note: The map on the editorial page of this issue was borrowed from the book.) A comprehensive Teacher’s Guide is also available. For more info and sample pages, see www.classroomresources.com.

A Sea Kayaker’s Guide to North Puget Sound by Ken Campbell

Little Bay Press, 2002 www.littlebaypress.com softcover, b/w, maps, 91 pp., $12.95 US

Following the success of A Sea Kayaker’s Guide to South Puget Sound, Ken Campbell has written this second volume, detailing nineteen sea kayaking routes from Seattle to Bellingham. Invaluable as a planning resource for paddling adventures in North Puget Sound, this concise guide provides lots of information, including the length of each trip, degree of difficulty (rated on a I to III scale), access information, location of restrooms, detailed descriptions of each destination, and tips for avoiding hazards and maximizing enjoyment. This up-to-date guide will help both novice and experienced kayakers plan interesting excursions in Washington State’s beautiful and protected waters.

Far-Away Places: 50 Anchorages on the Northwest Coast by Iain Lawrence.

Orca Book Publishers, 1995 softcover, b/w photos and maps, 224 pp $16.95 Cdn $14.95 US

The Inside Passage, although remote enough, has its own regular route that most coastal travellers follow on their way north and back again. But for some, the Inside Passage ‘highway’ is not where they want to be. Iain Lawrence is one of those - he has pulled off the highway and explored the nooks and crannies of the North Coast, getting away from well-known anchorages and spending as much time ashore as on the water. Far Away Places is for others who seek out the backwaters, whether paddling or cruising in a larger boat, looking for the ultimate wilderness experience. Detailed notes about where to go and how to get there are accompanied by line drawings (not to be used for navigational purposes) and photos. With engaging reminiscences of both exciting and quiet adventures, of friendships kindled and peaceful anchorages, Far Away Places is a great read for the armchair traveller as well as a useful guide for those planning their own adventures.

Cruise Ship Blues: The Underside of the Cruise Industry by Ross A. Klein

New Society Publishers, 2002 softcover, 208 pp $14.95 US $19.95 Cdn www.newsociety.com

Cruise Ship Blues offers a heads-up to anyone thinking about taking a vacation or seeking employment on a cruise ship. Drawing from his experience of more than thirty cruises all over the world, Ross Klein critiques numerous aspects of the cruise ship experience, including unexpected costs, on board safety, environmental issues, exploitation of workers, and accommodation and food services that often don’t live up to the glowing pictures presented in promotional advertising. If the truths revealed in the pages of this book don’t make you change your mind about a cruise ship holiday, it will at least forewarn and educate you.

Boat Camping Haida Gwaii Neil Frazer

Harbour Publishing, 2001, ISBN 1-55017-256-5, softcover, B&W images, 174 pp. $29.95 Cdn.

Neil Frazer's book offers fascinating information and detailed maps of the most interesting areas in Haida Gwaii based on his four summers of research. Included are anecdotes about the people, history and wildlife of the islands. It comes with a handy coil binding and useful appendices.