Invisible Reality: Storytellers, Storytakers, and the Supernatural World of the Blackfeet

by Rosalyn R. LaPier

Winner of the 2018 John C. Ewers Book Award 
Winner of the 2018 Donald Fixico Book Award

Rosalyn R. LaPier demonstrates that Blackfeet history is incomplete without an understanding of the Blackfeet people’s relationship and mode of interaction with the “invisible reality” of the supernatural world. Religious beliefs provided the Blackfeet with continuity through privations and changing times. The stories they passed to new generations and outsiders reveal the fundamental philosophy of Blackfeet existence, namely, the belief that they could alter, change, or control nature to suit their needs and that they were able to do so with the assistance of supernatural allies. The Blackfeet did not believe they had to adapt to nature. They made nature adapt. Their relationship with the supernatural provided the Blackfeet with stability and made predictable the seeming unpredictability of the natural world in which they lived.

In Invisible Reality  LaPier presents an unconventional, creative, and innovative history that blends extensive archival research, vignettes of family stories, and traditional knowledge learned from elders along with personal reflections on her own journey learning Blackfeet stories. The result is a nuanced look at the history of the Blackfeet and their relationship with the natural world.

Genres: Nonfiction, Indigenous

246 pages, Hardcover

First published September 1, 2017

Reviews

[Dasha · Rating 5 out of 5]

A really great book that concisely describes the Blackfeet world view. LaPier argues that this worldview, which is connected to separate but parallel worlds and entities, describe how Blackfeet sought to control and manipulate the world around them with the help of supernatural allies. As well, she argues that the informal economy created on reservations involving museum workers, anthropologists, and tourists allowed Blackfeet to exert power and define their worth which reminds readers that not all early relationships formed between Indigenous groups and outsiders were as exploitative as has been claimed.

[Aden · Rating 3 out of 5]

I love Indigenous and religious history scholarship like this. Despite some awkward pacing and structuring qualms I have, this was really interesting.

[Christine Sopko · Rating 4 out of 5]

Personal story, additional perspective about feeling able to control weather. The ending compliments a well written, lived and researched book. I appreciated the introduction and anticipated points of view as well.

[Karin Williams · Rating 5 out of 5]

A beautifully crafted history that combined primary sources and stories from the author's family - the photos really amplified the message. And the message of agency and resilience was powerful.

[Jane · Rating 4 out of 5]

Interesting read from Blackfeet perspective in current times. References early records from the second half of the 1800s to early 1900s. New perspective about the early interpreters.

[Mills College Library]

978.00497 L313 2017