Native Americans. Religion

By Inez Ramsey

The following is a link to Internet sites on Native American religions, followed by a bibliography of children's books on Native American religions and religious practices.

Native American Spirituality
Kutenai Powwow Regalia Photos by Ben Marra

Bibliography

Bierhorst, John. The Hungry Woman; Myths and Legends of the Aztecs With illustrations by sixteenth century Aztec artistis. Morrow, 1984. Ages 9 and up

English versions based on the earliest recorded Nahuahtl texts. Includes more than two dozen legends with bibliography. Black and white art reproductions. Appeal to all ages. SLJ

Bierhorst, John. The Mythology of Mexico and Central America Morrow, 1990. Grades 9 up.

A complex array of lore from Central America and Mexico. Useful as a reference or research tool for beginners at the .high school level. BCCB.

Bierhorst, John. The Mythology of South America Morrow, 1988. Young Adult

An excellent research tool. Good interpretations of Inca lore. Source notes, bibliography. Recommended for middle and secondary school libraries. SLJ

Bonvillain, Nancy. Native American Religion Chelsea House, 1996. Grade 6 up

Examines topics as creation stories, birth and death rituals and the development of the Handsome Lake religion, the Ghost Dance religion, and the peyote religion. Inlcudes black and white photos, glossary, bibliography. Good introduction to complex subjects. SLJ

Echo-Hawk, Roger and Echo-Hawk, Walter. Battlefields and Burial Grounds; The Indian Struggle to Protect Ancestral Graves in the United States Lerner, 1994. Grades 7-10.

Describes Native American burial practices and the movement by the Pawnee to reclaim the remains of their ancestors held by the Nebraska State Historical Society which led to the federal Native American Graves Protection and Repatriation Act of 1990. Includes source notes. Good introduction. SLJ

McLerran, Alice. The Ghost Dance Assemblage and paintings by Paul Morin. Clarion, 1995. Grades 3-6

Pictures and information on the Ghost Dance religious ceremony. Reviews cited oversimplification of complex material and reliance on cliches [BCCB].

Swamp, Jake. Giving Thanks; A Native American Good Morning Message Illus. by Erwin Printup. Lee & Low, 1995. K-3

A Mohawk message of gratitude for the natural world. Includes full color paintings. Good multicultural book. SLJ

Wolfson, Evelyn. From the Earth to Beyond the Sky; Native American Medicine Illus. by Jennifer Hewitson. Houghton Mifflin, 1993. Grades 4-8.

Includes information on shamanism, the making of a medicine man. Historical information on therapeutic benefit of plants as practiced by Native Americans. Holistic approach to medicine as practiced by various Native American peoples. Some information may be incomplete or inaccurate. Lacks contemporary practices. SLJ

Wood, Marion. Spirits, Heroes & Hunters from North American Indian Mythology Illustrations by John Sibbick. Schocken Books, 1982. All ages.

Collection of myths from various tribes as Eskimos, MicMacs, Ojibwas, Cherokee and other major tribes. Full color paintings and black and white totem drawings complement the text. SLJ

References

BCCB: Bulletin of the Center for Children's Books.
SLJ: School Library Journals.

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