Ininatig's Gift of Sugar: Traditional Native Sugarmaking

by Laura Waterman Wittstock, Dale Kakkak (Photography)

Describes how Indians have relied on the sugar maple tree for food and tells how an Anishinabe Indian in Minnesota continues his people's traditions by teaching students to tap the trees and make maple sugar.

Genres: Childrens, History, Picture Books, Native American, Food, Indigenous, Cookbooks

48 pages, Paperback

First published April 1, 1993

Reviews

[Manybooks · Rating 5 out of 5]

With an engaging, informative text and spectacular accompanying photographs, Laura Waterman Wittstock presents a detailed and step-by-step introduction to and description of traditional Anishinaabe maple sugar-making (not only the sugaring process itself, but also the traditions, the culture of Anishinaabe sugar making and the knowledge passed down from generation to generation). And although the text of Ininatig's Gift of Sugar: Traditional Native Sugarmaking is primarily informative and non-fictional, it nevertheless still does draw you in emotionally in so far that you actually do feel like an active participant and not just a passive observer. Furthermore and indeed, Anishinaabe elder "Porky" White's knowledge of the trees, of the weather, and his respect for and appreciation of the maple trees, of nature as a living and breathing entity is truly very much impressive. He actually personally seems to know all of his trees, and when it is the right time to start the sugaring, the maple syrup production process (the signs of early spring). And Porky also seems to regard his maple trees not so much as resources to be exploited, but as actual partners (I think that one of my favourite parts of Ininatig's Gift of Sugar: Traditional Native Sugarmaking is when Porky and a few of his sugaring companions go into the woods to thank the maple trees, thanking Ininatig or man-tree for sharing its sweet and oh so tasty syrupy bounty).

Now Porky White and his sugaring partner Madeline Moose also do not just engage in yearly sugaring at Porky's sugarbush, they also teach traditional Anishinaabe sugarmaking to urban children, who come to the sugarbush to spend time observing the sugaring process, as well as working (helping out) in the sugarbush. These children are not only being taught how to extract sap from the maple trees and turn that sap into maple syrup or maple sugar. They are also learning respect for the land, respect for ones' elders, respect for and appreciation of Native American culture and traditions (and of course they also get the chance to spend some fun and engaging time in the outdoors and not cooped up in stuffy urban apartments, school rooms and the like). And finally, one of the most appealing and positive parts of Ininatig's Gift of Sugar: Traditional Native Sugarmaking is that both the text and the accompanying photographs are by Native Americans (author Larua Waterman Wittstock is a member of the Seneca Nation of New York while photographer Dale Kakkak is a member of the Menominee Nation), as unfortunately, even today, many books about Native American and First Nations culture and traditions are still written by so-called outsiders and also do at times contain misinformation and exoticisms. Highly recommended, but although the text, the narrative of Ininatig's Gift of Sugar: Traditional Native Sugarmaking reads easily and flowingly enough, it is also at the same time rather textually dense and involved, and thus younger children might well lose focus and become distracted (even if the book were being read aloud to them). I would therefore recommend Ininatig's Gift of Sugar: Traditional Native Sugarmaking mostly to and for children above the ages of seven or eight (as well as to and for adults, to and for basically to anyone interested in traditional Native American/Canadian sugar making, in how Native Americans and Canadians have traditionally produced their maple syrup, their maple sugar).

[Abigail · Rating 3 out of 5]

One of a number of entries in the We Are Still Here: Native Americans Today series, which seems to be a precursor of the similar My World: Young Native Americans Today series, Ininatig's Gift of Sugar is a picture-book examination of the Anishinaabe traditions concerning sugaring. From the opening folktale, in which Ininatig - the "tree man" - gives his sap to save a starving family, through the in-depth examination of the sugaring process (in which maple sap is made into maple syrup, maple sugar and maple candy) at the sugar-bush camp of Anishinaabe elder "Porky" White, the book is immensely informative.

I particularly liked the fact that, much like the My World: Young Native Americans Today titles, Ininatig's Gift of Sugar was written and photographed by Native Americans themselves, as so many books about America's indigenous peoples are written by outsiders, and contain misinformation. Author Laura Waterman Wittstock is an enrolled member of the Seneca Nation in New York, while photographer Dale Kakkak belongs to the Menominee Nation. Both text and image provides a realistic, contemporary portrait of native people - something that, as the series name implies, must have been a deliberate aim of the creators - as well as an engaging look at sugaring. Recommended to young readers with an interest in this process, or in the Anishinaabe people.

[Lisa Vegan · Rating 4 out of 5]

I am a maple sugar fool and also enjoy reading all I can about Native Americans, so I knew this book would be my cup of tea. I love maple syrup, maple sugar candy and maple butter (if both are made with 100% maple syrup), I love Pete Seeger’s “Maple Syrup Time” song, so I was grateful when my Goodreads’ friend Gundula alerted me to this book, and thrilled when my library (my branch!) had a copy on the shelf. And, I did treat myself to a few small pieces of organic maply syrup hard candy as I was reading this book.

From this book I learned that maple syrup candy can be eaten warm. That, I would love to try!

This is the first book I’ve read that’s part of this series and I’m now eager to read most of the other books in the “We Are Still Here: Native Americans Today” series. I am adding Children of Clay: A Family of Pueblo Potters, Kinaalda: A Navajo Girl Grows Up, The Sacred Harvest: Ojibway Wild Rice Gathering, and Shannon: An Ojibway Dancer. I think, at least for now, I’ll skip Clambake: A Wampanoag Tradition.

That said, while this account held my interest, I didn’t find the storytelling scintillating; at times it plodded along. The photographs were wonderful, of the people and especially of the trees. I learned quite a bit more than I’d already known about the hard work it takes to get maple syrup and sugar from maple trees and definitely appreciate the skill and knowledge required, and the respect and care shown for the trees, at least by this group of people.

[David · Rating 4 out of 5]

Ininatig's Gift of Sugar: Traditional Native Sugarmaking (We Are Still Here) by Laura Waterman Wittstock is a excellent look at traditional Native American sugarmaking. This story of Anishinabe people in Minnesota shows them conducting sugarmaking camps where they not only make maple syrup and maple sugar, but teach yong people about the traditions and process. The tale of Inintaig, the Man-tree and his gift of sugar making to Native American people is incorparated into the story.

The book is informative and evocative, for both children and adults. The book is largely created by Native Americans, and there is a deep respect for Native American tradtion. The highlight of the book are the excellent photos, showing both children & adults working together to harvest the sap and produce the maple syrup and sugar. A map of the
Anishinabe reservations in Minnesota is included to show location mentioned in the book.

I found it interesting, though a bit jarring to me, that this group used platic bags to collect the sap, although that may be done to keep sap pure. I also wonder if any of the children pictured here in 1993 are still involved in sugar makig.

I recommend this book as a valuable addition to the subject of sugar making. For grades 2 to 5 (and interested adults), sugarmaking, Native Americans, Minnesota, and fans of the We Are Still Here series.

[Evelyn Chen · Rating 4 out of 5]

APA Citation:
Wittstock, Laura WatermanKakkak, Dal. (1993) Ininatig's gift of sugar :traditional native sugarmaking Minneapolis : Lerner Publications Co.,

Reading Interest/Level: Grades 2-5

Summary:
This book details the steps of how syrup is extracted from maple trees to make sugar. A short tale from the Anishinabe tribe preludes the detailed steps, revealing that sugar-making requires an intimate respect between the individual and the tree.

Reflection:
It wasn't until I visited a maple syrup farm in Vermont that I understood how labor-intensive to produce maple syrup and sugar, and I didn't realize its significance to Native American culture. At the beginning of The Birchbark House, the mother offers a small sacrifice at a tree before stripping sheet of bark to make shelter. In fact, the mother is later on wraps bundles of maple sugar, treasuring it for the harsh winter month ahead. After reading Ininatig's Gift of Sugar, I can't help but wonder if the mother used the tree for both purposes.

I love that the author incorporated photos of children and adults (not necc Native American) partaking in the sugarmaking. Men are carving a big wooden trough to later stir the syrup in. The expect in sugarmakin, Porky, is hanging a clear plastic bag from the tree tap. Groups of children are seen playing board games to pass the time.

[Dolly · Rating 3 out of 5]

This is a rather long (and somewhat dated), but fascinating look at an annual sugarmaking event in Minnesota. The process is outlined in detail and there are lots of photographs that show the people in action. It's an informative story, but we had to read it in parts or else our girls would quickly lose interest. I like that it depicts a mixture of old ways and new technology to preserve a Native American cultural tradition.

This book was chosen as one of the selections for the May 2011 Spring-time themed books at the Picture-Book Club in the Children's Books group here at Goodreads. I'm glad that this book was a selection as I might not have read it otherwise.

[Willow · Rating 5 out of 5]

A must-read for anyone who uses maple syrup.

[Micah Stein · Rating 5 out of 5]

Beautiful book for adults and children. 🍁