Tracking Doctor Lonecloud: Showman to Legend Keeper

Edward L. Edmonds is a professor of education at the University of
Prince Edward Island and an honorary chief of the Lennox Island
Mi’kmaq of Prince Edward Island.

History provides many examples of how ancient stories handed down from
generation to generation have ultimately been lost, unless set down in
print form. This book about Dr. Lonecloud, a Mi’kmaw Indian, showman,
medicine man, and keeper of the legends, provides a salutary reminder.
It falls broadly into three parts (Dr. Lonecloud’s biography, what he
himself recalls about it, and a selection of the stories he used to
tell) and concludes with endnotes, a glossary of unknown Mi’kmaw
vocabulary, and an index. There are a number of contemporary,
black-and-white photographs, and D.M. Julian of the Millbrook First
Nations provides a short, succinct preface. Ruth Whitehead, herself an
indefatigable scholar, deserves great credit for compiling this book
about a man of many talents.