Celebrating the Powwow

Christine Linge is a past director of the Toronto & District Parent
Co-operative Preschool Corporation, a freelance writer, and a bookseller
specializing in children’s literature.

Primary- and junior-grade children will gain a thorough working
knowledge of all aspects of the Native powwow, presented in a factual
but respectful way in this volume. Once again, Bobbie Kalman combines
exciting photographs, colorful graphics, and bright illustrations with a
brief, straightforward text.

In addition to the obvious topics of costume and music, Kalman
carefully conveys the powwow’s cultural and spiritual aspects. She
points out that the Powwow Trail is “a journey people make inside
their heart and mind. It is a way for each person to strengthen his or
her beliefs and values.” The strength and breadth of North America’s
Native culture is communicated when Kalman describes beliefs that are
common to many First Nations. At the same time, the reader senses the
impressive and fascinating diversity of Native customs and beliefs among
the many peoples through references to differing beadwork, dance styles,
and honoring ceremonies.

A glossary and an index complete this sturdily constructed book. Highly
recommended.