October 1: New Anthology from MariJo Moore & Trace DeMeyer

[Siobhan]

This new collection, edited by our irrepressible friends MariJo Moore and Trace DeMeyer, includes quite a few selections from Native writers either indigenous to New England, or living here now: Alice Azure, Carol Bachofner, Doris Seale, Bill Yellow Robe. . .and a writer who is new to me, gabriel horn. This is why I love these two women! And, of course, there are wonderful writers from all over: Susan Deer Cloud, Denise Low, Jim Stevens, John Trudell, and many more. Let's celebrate the new season by choosing some of our favorites and talking about them here, October 1-15.

[Ed]

what is the title of the book? is it out? where would we find out?

[Alice]

Ed - The title is _Unraveling the Spreading Cloth of Time: Indigenous Thoughts Concerning the Universe_.

Itis available from MariJo Moore at her website--www.marijomoore.com

[MariJo]

Also, book is available at amazon.com in print and ebook form

[MariJo]

And I will happily answer any questions about the anthology.

[Siobhan]

So happy to have you here, MariJo--what a privilege!! So, I will kick things off by saying I appreciate several things about the anthology overall.

First, the thematic organization. Having just finished editing an anthology myself, I know you two must have talked at length about this. I chose to organize the Indigenous New England anthology by tribal nation, since that is where so much of the scholarship has headed recently. But reading through just the first section today ("Interconnectedness"), I started to appreciate the benefits of NOT cordoning people off by tribe: I mean, you get to show how INTERCONNECTED people are, and how many things they share! Jack Forbes (R.I.P.) talks about this really beautifully in the selection you had from him, where he first cautions people that every tribal nation has its own specific traditions and beliefs, yet goes on to pick out some common threads.

Second, I really admire your introduction--so succinct, yet so firm: "this is not a book where you get to learn sacred and private knowledge, but you WILL learn how it 'feels' to intuit the universe in an indigenous way." Good stuff!

I am very intrigued by gabriel horn and Amy Krout-Horn, but will save them for the next comment!

[MariJo]

Hi Siobhan!

The book actually "intuited" itself into its form. I really believe ancestral spirits-especially Vine Deloria Jr (to whom the book is dedicated) gave much help in this book

And yes, Trace and I did have several conversations concerning the authors included, their work, etc.

Your anthology is a testimony to how important Native voices are and I appreciate all you do - have done - and continue to do in this arena!

[Siobhan]

One thing that frustrates me about the goodreads interface is that there are too many places to post responses. I just posted a new "topic" about gabriel horn and Amy Krout-Horn, but it seems you can only get to it by clicking again on the title of the anthology at the top of this screen. Not sure how to make discussions of particular authors visible. :(

[Ed]

Will this discussion be open for a while? I imagine that professionals in indigenous studies can read through a book like this & move on to the next project but for me, first of all it took a little while for me to get the book and I think it will take a little time (what it's all about) to read & live with the book so I'm hoping people are interested in discussions over the next weeks or even months...?

[Siobhan]

Thanks, Ed--these conversations basically stick around on goodreads until somebody takes them down, which I have no plans to do. So by all means, let's keep it going!

[Gina]

It might be helpful to create a general topic for Q&A, introductions & such. I joined this group hoping to learn more about my Wabenaki ancestors, find great new authors to explore & perhaps discuss books I've read for New England area Native books. I read mostly well researched fiction, such as those by Kathleen & Michael Gear (archeologists), Penina Keen Spinka, & others.

Am I in the right place? Thanks :-)
Gina

[DeniseLow]

Welcome, Gina, and yes, this book is a place where you can find resources--very distinguished folks.

[Gina]

Thanks Denise, glad to hear it :-) The novels by Spinka are based in New England & Canada, then up the coast & finally across to Greenland or Iceland, don't remember which. Mohawks to Inuit to Vikings. I'd appreciate any suggested reading fic/non- fic related to these areas & especially Wabanaki, Passamaquoddy, & maritimes areas.
Gina

[Gina]

MaryJo, is your book on GR? If so I'll like a link to it, if not will check the others mentioned.

[Alice]

Gina--If you go to Joe Bruchac's website at www.nativeauthors.com, you will find more than enough reading materials to satisfy your desire for Wabanaki resources.

[Gina]

Thanks so much, will certainly do so!