The Ways of My Grandmothers: The Classic Tribute to Blackfoot Women's Wisdom, Tribal History, and Vanishing Culture

by Beverly Hungry Wolf

Librarian's Note: The ISBN 0688004717 for this book was also used by an earlier edition The Ways of My Grandmothers

A young Native American woman creates a hauntingly beautiful tribute to an age-old way of life in this fascinating portrait of the women of the Blackfoot Indians. A captivating tapestry of personal and tribal history, legends and myths, and the wisdom passed down through generations of women, this extraordinary book is also a priceless record of the traditional skills and ways of an ancient culture that is vanishing all too fast. Including many rare photographs, The Ways of My Grandmothers is an authentic contribution to our knowledge and understanding of Native American lore -- and a classic that will speak to women everywhere.

Genres: Nonfiction, Indigenous, History, Native American, Memoir, Historical, Sociology

256 pages, Paperback

First published July 1, 1980

Reviews

[Diamond Cowboy · Rating 5 out of 5]

This is a great book explaining the ways, costoms and culture of the Blood Blackfoot indiganas people of America. It explains these through the ways of the female elders of the tribe. It is very eye opening. I am quite impressed with the way they revere and respect the elders of their people. I highly recommend this book to all.

[Lauren · Rating 4 out of 5]

"...Once my grandmothers saw that I was sincere in wanting to learn their old ways they were very encouraging. They didn't think any of us younger girls cared about cutting up meat properly to dry, or about putting the soles on moccasins so that they would wear well. I think it pleased them to know they had something very special to offer."

Hungry Wolf's book is a cultural compendium of native women of the Blackfoot Confederacy/ Siksikaitsitapi, her 'grandmothers' both by blood and memory. The traditional territory of the Blackfoot First Nations spans the colonized North American regions of southern Alberta and Saskatchewan, Canada, and Montana, US.

Spanning the late 19th and 20th centuries, Hungry Wolf collects the oral histories of her matrilineal ancestors: stories of marriage, war trials, childbearing, hunting and food preparation, and ceremonial and religious gatherings of the Sun Dance. Some stories are funny - mistaken identities, practical jokes, others tragic - wars, death, disease - and some quite intriguing - legends of women warriors who change genders.

My two favorite sections of this book:

1) the rich archival photographs, many taken by Hungry Wolf and her husband, and others shared from museums and cultural institutions

2) the final section entitled "Around the Household" that was a complete treasure trove of wisdom of domestic life. Recipes, tanning hides, sewing, childbirth and birth control, children's play, beading, how to make moccasins, using sage for deodorant, herbal mixtures for washing your hair, and so much more. It was just amazing to read.

[Kathleen Saad · Rating 4 out of 5]

I found this book buried in amongst boxes of my old things, and it's a treasure! Stories recorded from a woman's POV instead of men, recount traditions of Blackfoot ways, stories, and recipes. Ceremonies for women are detailed by "grandmother's"; elder women who pass on their knowledge to younger women. Tanning hides, beadwork, Sun ceremonies, childcare, and some old legends are written in an easily read style. Personal history of the author is included, along with some never before seen photos, allowing the reader to visualize the old ways. Beautiful!!❤️

[Jeff · Rating 3 out of 5]

An easy read, but only one part story, The Ways of My Grandmothers is a nice informational piece, but not what I had hoped. First published in 1980, it rarely goes back further than the early twentieth century, except in broad examples. The second half of the book is primarily an instruction manual for native crafting and the utilization of every part of the hunted animal. I do feel like I got to know the author a little, and was welcomed behind the door of the Blackfoot tipi.

[Katie · Rating 2 out of 5]

I really appreciate the author for sharing the stories, traditions, and photos of her families and their tribes. I did like the book, but if I read too much in one sitting the stories became redundant. Since most if it was read as short stories, I was able to pick it up every now and then and able read without having to keep track of what i previously read.

[Mya Cluff · Rating 4 out of 5]

Lovely collection of maternal histories, legends, and domestic traditions of the Blackfoot nation. The pictures included are gorgeous and alongside the stories bring the legacies of these grandmothers to life.

[Kathryn Jones · Rating 5 out of 5]

Being Blackfoot myself this book made me feel like I was able to talk to my own grandmother again. It is beautiful and wonderfully written. Just try to put yourself in the perspective of a modern Indigenous person.

[Art Petrenko · Rating 3 out of 5]

I read this book while keeping my wife company during middle-of-the-night feedings back when our son was a newborn. It's a little disjointed but is a great first collection of facts and stories in the journey to better understand the people who called this land home before me.

[Christine Theiss · Rating 5 out of 5]

Beautiful and insightful

[Linda Hagedorn · Rating 4 out of 5]

In my quest to learn more about Native Amerians and their culture, a friend loaned me this book- insightful, beautiful writing about women of the Blackfoot nation.

[mrs · Rating 5 out of 5]

A personal look at what life was like for the author and her family as indigenous people. We don't know what a hard life is!!!

[S. Wigget]

This is for a book discussion.

[Jane Unger · Rating 4 out of 5]

Very informative! Glad their history was recorded. This book was written in 1980 so it would be interesting how much of their lifestyle has changed since then.

[Rasma Haidri · Rating 4 out of 5]

This book is an important documentation of a now lost era in American history. Wolf captured the voices of old ladies in her tribe at a crucial moment when the last of the generation to experience firsthand the turn of the century were reaching the end of their lives. One could wish the information were better organized and that some crucial questions had been posed, but there is an amazing amount of information here. Ever since I got this book (1st edition in 1980) I have wanted to share these stories with someone who otherwise would not know about this culture. I have now gotten the chance to turn some of this information into creative non-fiction for children, in what will most likely be a series of illustrated books.

[Paige]

Containing lore of Blackfoot Indian Tribes, The Ways of My Grandmothers recounts the skills, myths and culture passed down through generations of Native American women. The piece captures the voice of the author’s tribe members, and speaks to women of all walks of life. For teachers, this is an interesting and vital addition to the bookshelf—it presents a new way of life and thinking that students may or may not have ever encountered before, and may help broaden the way they look at the relations between people, their own history and heritage, and their elders. Students may enjoy this piece because it presents valid accounts of real people, and a rich history a people. It may complicate their view of the world, and give depth to their knowledge of other cultures and history.

[Maggie Duval · Rating 4 out of 5]

Beverly Hungry Wolf recounts stories, customs, and practical traditional craft making from her Blackfoot roots.

Unlike most dry anthropological tomes, Beverley practices the traditional arts and is well-versed in ceremony, and this embodied knowledge shines through. Her warmth and humor makes for a great read. She's someone I'd love to sit down with for strong coffee, a good chat, great storytelling, and some belly laughs.

I'm pretty well versed in quite a bit of Native American culture, but I learned a lot from this book. It and its author are treasures.

[Melissa · Rating 5 out of 5]

I was assigned to read this book for my anthropology class and I loved it! It also helped that my teacher is a Native American woman and we could discuss this book and many other subjects in great detail. I have much respect and gratitude for these grandmothers and their way of life.

[Elizabeth · Rating 3 out of 5]

Very interesting to read about such a different way of life, and to see how complicated we make things sometimes these days.

[Jennifer · Rating 3 out of 5]

The information in this book is very interesting. It has a lot of views from different Native American women.

[Megan · Rating 3 out of 5]

One woman tries to record the life, traditions of women of her tribe. She tells many stories from older women in her tribe. It was fascinating to read.

[Jeannie Romanello · Rating 5 out of 5]

Read it so long ago but can't seem to pass it on. It was another life changing book reads. Don't know why but it captured my heart.

[Rose Flores Rosevoc · Rating 4 out of 5]

The Ways of My Grandmothers is a good read, especially "Around the Household," about cooking the insides....

I find it exciting how in the past they lived, when I only watch it on TV.

[Sss Book]

2 of 2

[J · Rating 5 out of 5]

A great look into Blackfoot culture. The elders in my family always told the young ones to "stay in a child's place" so very little was passed along. My mom could only tell me fragments of her grandparents culture so this book came in handy and it was cool to see some of what she learned explained more in this book.