All the quotes in this book are from people who were born
before 1904. They are passing on the wisdom of the Plains
Indians so that young people can learn who they were and
how their life was lived. While tribes and their stories
differed, they had many unifying themes and needs. There
are beautiful photographs of the day, some of which are
very rare. Alongside these are placed toys such as a
carved horse or a toy tipi, and clothes. These belonged to
CHILDREN OF THE TIPI.
Standing Bear of the Lakota tells how his father made him a
bow and taught him to fire arrows. This was to be his way
of gaining food and his means of defence. Sarah Winnemucca
of the Piute passes on her own mother's advice to her: "Be
kind to all, poor and rich. Feed all who come to your
wigwam. In this way you will make many friends." The
division of work is described, differing between tribes as
some cultivated corn and others hunted buffalo. Standing
Bear described training ponies - boys drove them into deep
water where they could not kick and played with them until
the ponies understood that the boys would not harm them,
and mounting proved easy. Ponies were trained with
kindness, he says, and were more trustworthy because of it.
Chief Joseph and Sitting Bull are among those quoted. A
very impressive scene of a field of tipis reminds us that a
tribe was a town. But then the images move to modern times
and colour photos show us the legacy of these people;
today's children in colourful costume sitting on their
ponies.
I was impressed with the work that has gone into this
beautiful book. The images are each exceptional and at 48
pages the short content works to capture the attention of
children - adults would wish the book was longer. I
thought it would be a good book to pair with the
beautifully illustrated The Man Who Dreamed of Elk Dogs
by Paul Goble, which tells the legends passed down by these
same tribes. Michael Oren Fitzgerald, who previously
taught the Religious Traditions of the North American
Indians at Indiana University, has written several books on
the Native Americans and these would suit those interested
in further reading on the topic. CHILDREN OF THE TIPI is a
lovely book.
What was it like to grow up in the world of the pre-
reservation Plains Indians before the coming of the white
settlers? Prior to our modern era of television, video
games, and computers how did American Indian children live,
learn, and play? In this beautifully illustrated book,
award-winning author, Michael Oren Fitzgerald, combines
stunning photographs and simple quotations by Indian chiefs
and elders to explain to today’s youth what life would have
been like growing up on the American plains.
Children of the Tipi includes sections on boys and girls at
play, camp life, and the important role of parents and
grandparents. It features historical sepia photographs of
children at work and play, as well as detailed color
photographs of their toys, tools, and everyday objects.
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