The Sayings of Our First People

Richard W. Parker is an associate professor and chair of the Classics
Department at Brock University in St. Catharines.

This book records the orally transmitted traditional wisdom of a First
Nations people (the Nootka of Vancouver Island) on the subject of family
life. While the thoughts, experience, philosophy, and attitudes of
Nootka elders are loosely connected by means of a narrative, the editor
maintains a low profile in order to preserve the integrity and character
of the oral “sayings.” There is a brief foreword, a section titled
“Context,” an introduction, and two main sections titled “Our
Lives, Life Stages” and “Our Teachings,” respectively. Part 1
focuses on child-rearing and family life, with topics ranging from
prenatal care and parenting to education, coming of age, and the role of
the extended family. In Part 2, the primary emphasis is on haahuupa (the
method, philosophy, and strategy of oral teaching) and on
haahuupach’ak (the teachings themselves).

Curiously, the book lacks both a table of contents and index. In
addition, section and chapter divisions are not clearly delineated. That
said, The Sayings of Our First People will appeal to readers with an
interest in the everyday lore of Native peoples and in its oral
transmission.