The Star-Man and Other Tales

John Steckley teaches human studies at Hunter College in Toronto.

The Star-Man and Other Tales is the latest volume in the series of
traditional Anishnabae stories from southern and northeastern Ontario.
The sources for the stories are Basil Johnston, Jonas George (from 1914
and 1916), Sam Ozawamik, and Frank Shawbedees. The illustrations by
Anishnabae artist Ken Syrette are beautifully evocative, telling stories
in their own right. Johnston’s contributions, “Short Tail” and
“Dog! Bring Me a Beaver,” will appeal to readers of all ages and
cultures.

As an editor, Johnston is less successful. He should be aware that most
readers have little knowledge of Anishnabae culture. Yet he provides no
cultural context to broaden our understanding. His selection of stories
leaves a lot to be desired. The reader learns little about the important
characters, such as Nanabush, the Water People, and the Thunderers, who
are major actors on the stage of Anishnabae oral tradition. Nanabush
appears only in one abbreviated story. In “Mermaids,” the title
characters are mentioned only in a four-sentence afterthought that
follows a two-page introduction. No other story refers to them.
Traditionally, Anishnabae elders would provide a full night of
entertainment and education through their wonder-filled stories. In this
book, most of the visits are short. Two of Jonas George’s three
Thunder stories are single-page efforts that read like that elder had a
bus to catch, so he couldn’t stop in.

These stories should be preserved, but more thought needs to be given
to their are selection and presentation.