In a stunning narration of reflection, revelation, and epiphany, the authors of "Wisdomkeepers" take readers on a dramatic and mystical "spirit-journey" into the living wisdom of Native America's spiritual elders. 40 photos.

This is a story about two stories and their travels through the written record. The written part begins in the mid-nineteenth century, when Silas T. Rand, a Baptist clergyman from Cornwallis, Nova Scotia, took as his task the translation of the Bible into Mi'kmaq-the language of the indigenous communities in the region. In the process of developing his vocabulary, Rand transcribed narratives from Mi'kmaq storytellers, and following his death, 87 of these stories were published in a book called Legends of the Micmacs. As his understanding of the language grew, Rand began to translate the stories as he heard them, and to record them in English. Until recently, it appeared that none of the early transcriptions in the original Mi'kmaq had survived. Then, in 2003, poet and essayist Peter Sanger uncovered two manuscripts among the Rand holdings in the library at Acadia University in Wolfville, Nova Scotia. One of these contains the story of Little Thunder and his journey to find a wife, as told to Rand by Susan Barss in 1847. The other is the story of a woman who survives alone on an island after being abandoned by her husband. It was told by a storyteller known to us now only as Old Man Stevens and dates from 1884. Both are among the earliest examples of indigenous Canadian literature recorded in their original language; the 1847 transcript being perhaps the earliest. Their publication in The Stone Canoe makes a significant contribution to our understanding of Mi'kmaq storytelling and indigenous Canadian literature. With the same passion for research and sleuthing that characterized his two previous prose publications, Spar (GP, 2002) and White Salt Mountain (GP, 2005), Peter Sanger provides commentary that recounts the adventure of his discoveries and the paths of written correspondence, library acquisitions, name changes, transcriptions, translations and human error that separate and reconnect two stories and their tellers. He also unpacks some of the complexities of Mi'kmaq cultural motifs as they emerge in these stories. At the heart of The Stone Canoe are the two stories themselves, including Rand's published versions, along with new translations and transliterations by Elizabeth Paul, a Mi'kmaq speaker and teacher of the Eskasoni First Nation. Paul provides new English translations, and Mi'kmaq transliterations of Rand's transcripts, as well as notes detailing issues of language and culture. The Stone Canoe also features artwork by Alan Syliboy, a Millbrook First Nation artist. Syliboy's original ink drawings illustrate scenes from the two narratives, employing some of the traditional patterns in Mi'kmaq art, and work visually alongside the translations and Sanger's engagement with the patterns contained in the stories.

Paul Prescot’s desire to catalogue and comprehend the aboriginal rock paintings of the Canadian Shield is told through the eyes of the woman he loves, and who, for her own reasons, accompanies him on his travels to the deep north. Her journeys with her husband, and then alone, returning to the north shore of Lake Superior to commend his ashes to the water, draw her deeper into a history that, while foreign to them both, seems to offer a meaningful alternative to a world that has gone wrong. Peter Unwin turns his unique talents to a story that lies at the heart of this country and to the crucial issue of our times. Written in Stone maps the exhilarating and ultimately tragic consequences of one man’s commitment to the land of his birth, a land whose deep and unwritten past is outside the reach of his understanding. Written in Stone goes beyond the surface acknowledgments of settler impacts, and exists on the border of two solitudes, where the known and unknown cannot be separated, where mythology and reality are one, and where an old and inaccessible knowledge holds the means to a possible reconciliation.

Rich with magnificent photographs and powerful words, this book takes the reader into the inner thoughts, jokes, healing remedies, and humanity of Native American spiritual elders—otherwise known as the Wisdomkeepers. In their own words elders from the Sioux, Iroquois, Seminole, Ojibwe, Hopi, Ute, Pawnee, and other tribes explain who they are, how they live, and what they believe. Readers learn of Buffalo Jim, a Seminole who describes the story of creation as if the Everglades were Eden, and Mathew King, a Lakota who warns of punishments for those who would destroy earth. Readers share the innermost thoughts and feelings, the dreams and visions, the laughter, the healing remedies, and the prophecies of the Wisdomkeepers. Above all, the elders offer their humanity, which shines through each page. They are the Elders, the Old Ones, the Grandfathers and Grandmothers, the fragile repositories of sacred ways and natural wisdom going back millennia, yet never more relevant than today.

The bark canoes of the North American Indians, particularly those of birchbark, were among the most highly developed manually propelled primitive watercraft. Built with Stone Age tools from available materials, their design, size, and appearance were varied to suit the many requirements of their users. Even today, canoes are based on these ancient designs, and this fascinating guide combines historical background with instructions for constructing one. Author Edwin Tappan Adney, born in 1868, devoted his life to studying canoes and was practically the sole scholar in his field. His papers and research have been assembled by a curator at the Smithsonian Institution.

Born of Mohawk and Cayuga descent, musical icon Robbie Robertson learned the story of Hiawatha and his spiritual guide, the Peacemaker, as part of the Iroquois oral tradition. Now he shares the same gift of storytelling with a new generation. Hiawatha was a strong and articulate Mohawk who was chosen to translate the Peacemaker’s message of unity for the five warring Iroquois nations during the 14th century. This message not only succeeded in uniting the tribes but also forever changed how the Iroquois governed themselves—a blueprint for democracy that would later inspire the authors of the U.S. Constitution. Caldecott Honor–winning illustrator David Shannon brings the journey of Hiawatha and the Peacemaker to life with arresting oil paintings. Together, the team of Robertson and Shannon has crafted a new children’s classic that will both educate and inspire readers of all ages. Includes a CD featuring an original song written and performed by Robbie Robertson.

Rosanne Parry, acclaimed author of A Wolf Called Wander and Heart of a Shepherd, shines a light on Native American tribes of the Pacific Northwest in the 1920s, a time of critical cultural upheaval. Pearl has always dreamed of hunting whales, just like her father. Of taking to the sea in their eight-man canoe, standing at the prow with a harpoon, and waiting for a whale to lift its barnacle-speckled head as it offers its life for the life of the tribe. But now that can never be. Pearl's father was lost on the last hunt, and the whales hide from the great steam-powered ships carrying harpoon cannons, which harvest not one but dozens of whales from the ocean. With the whales gone, Pearl's people, the Makah, struggle to survive as Pearl searches for ways to preserve their stories and skills.

The story follows the life of Maude and Gilbert Valcour. As a young woman, Maude LaJoie, born and raised on a First Nation Reserve, leaves the isolated community to move to the nearby town of Penetanguishene. Here she meets and marries Gilbert Valcour, a local handyman and canoe builder. The couple are given the opportunity to become caretakers of a large cottage in Cognashene and live in a small stone cottage situated on the property. Though Maude was able to assimilate her native culture with the culture of the town, she is quite happy to move to this remote location with her husband and children and return to a lifestyle she is used to. The story follows their challenges of moving to this location, managing the large cottage, its property and the affluent colourful owners and guests. Rescuing the survivors of a passenger sailboat The Stalker, following a violent storm so common on Georgian Bay and braving an unexpected encounter with a bear are just a few of the many twists and turns the couple must accommodate into their life. A sordid romance between the owner and one of the local residents ends in tragedy and Maude and Gilbert are left to pick up the pieces and move on with their life.

Do you ever feel that you are leading in uncharted territory? Pastor and consultant Tod Bolsinger draws on decades of expertise guiding churches and organizations in this expanded practical leadership resource, offering illuminating insights and practical tools to help you reimagine what effective church leadership looks like in our rapidly changing world.

Let Marcine take you on a journey into the distant past through her paintings. An accomplished artist, she brings to life the ancient tales of the peoples who call themselves the Haudenosaunee, People of the Longhouse. We know them better as the Iroquois League of Nations. Thank you for your efforts to honor and uplift the work of the Peacemaker to establish a Peace that will prevail on earth. It is time to raise that legacy to a higher standard of global public visibility. Your art is a majestic vehicle to bring this about. David Yarrow, Dancing Turtle, Defender of Mother Earth, Healer, Author, Dowser Marcine Quenzer is one of the best storytellers I have ever heard. Her knowledge of the Iroquoian people inspires, educates and entertains. She is a Master of her Art. Curtis Harwell, CEO of Heaven on Earth Foundation Marcine Quenzer has the gift of the true Sachem for tuning into ancient cultures and bringing forward the wisdom and lessons of their natural spirituality so needed in these days. Frank Jordan, Past President of National Dowsers Association, Healer, Author Marcine Quenzer has brought to her book, Spirit Winds of Peace: The Epoch of the Peacemakers, the same beauty, eloquence and truth that she brought to the Peacemakers journey through her inspirational artwork. Her book does much to reveal this journey - a revelation that is so needed at this time to remind us that love is indeed the answer. Thank you, Marcine, for this gift to all humanity. Robert Roskind, author of The Beauty Path: A Native American Journey into One Love The Wyandotte Nation of Oklahoma, through resolution of the Board of Directors, has named Marcine Quenzer as Wyandotte Nation Associate Artist of the Nation, for the longstanding work she has done in artistic portrayals of Wendot history, and stories, cultural presentations, and teaching of the youth of many First Nations. Leaford Bearskin, Chief, and James Bland, second Chief 2003