Native Crafts: Inspired by North America's First Peoples

Sheila Martindale is poetry editor of Canadian Author and Bookman and
the author of No Greater Love.

Native Crafts starts with an overview of North America when only the
aboriginal peoples lived here. It explains how people fed and clothed
themselves before the age of industry, and how they also decorated the
practical items they made. The book includes a comprehensive map, with a
legend that notes the different areas and which First Nations people
lived in them. The crafts, from jewelry and pouches to corncob dolls and
musical instruments, are explained with step-by-step instructions and
illustrations. Which Native group originated the item is also noted.
Because many of the projects require some time for things to dry before
the next step, Native Crafts might be a better choice for home use than
for the classroom or activity group. Recommended for children with
patience and reasonable attention spans.