Our Stories Remember: American Indian History, Culture, and Values Through Storytelling

Review from Voice of Youth Advocates:

The author of Keepers of Light (Fulcrum Publishing, 1994) compiles an excellent source for those interested in Native American studies. His topics are as diverse as are Native Americans. As he explains, there is no one Native American culture and "Seeing all Indians as being alike is as foolish as not being able to see them at all." Likewise, he does not claim to know enough about each culture to do them justice. Yet, through the stories and words he has gathered from others, he accomplishes his goal of sharing the history, culture, and values of Native Americans. He starts each section with a Native story to exemplify his ideas, follows with an interesting analysis of the topic, and concludes with an annotated recommended reading section. His brilliance is in the detail. Although most people know that many whites have "gone native," Bruchac questions why there are no stories of Natives going "civilized?" He quotes Sir Francis Bacon making the claim, "Never yet hath it been seen that a savage will, of his own free will, give up his savagery and live the life of a civilized man." This book is thoroughly enjoyable and can be recommended to both the knowledgeable and the novice who is interested in Native studies.