The Geography of Memory: Recovering Stories of a Landscape's First People

by Eileen Delehanty Pearkes

In a quest for understanding, Eileen Delehanty Pearkes set out to find the story behind the Sinixt First Nation, also known as the "Arrow Lakes Indians". With the help of members of the Sinixt Nation, declared "extinct" in 1956, Pearkes traveled, researched and interviewed her way through a course of discovery that informs this personal account with a reverence for the land and its first peoples.

Paperback

First published July 12, 2004

Reviews

[Hazel · Rating 4 out of 5]

I loved this little book, as you can see by the five star rating. Eileen did a wonderful job of drawing us into a prehistoric world based on the small scraps of historical material that are left about the Lakes Indians--the natives that lived in the West Kootenays previous to European settlement. Her book is written in a poetic style that reflects the romance most of us feel about the idea of a people profoundly connected with this beloved land.

[Vickie Van Vliet · Rating 5 out of 5]

I grew up in both the East and the West Kootenays. When I was growing up, I knew almost nothing of the history of either space. As I became an adult, I slowly began to find out more information about the Indigenous populations. I found this book an interesting read as I had some background knowledge about the Sinixt but not a lot. It was interesting to read and learn more. The material included in the book was easy to digest.

[Marmot · Rating 4 out of 5]

I enjoyed this local history book. It was interesting to read about the first peoples who lived in my area,and made me think about them more than I would have otherwise. It was well written, being more engaging and personal than many history books are. An absorbing read which I finished quickly.