The Traditional History and Characteristic Sketches of the Ojibway Nation

by George Copway, Shelley Hulan

The Traditional History and Characteristic Sketches of the Ojibway Nation (1850) was one of the first books of Indigenous history written by an Indigenous author. The book blends nature writing and narrative to describe the language, religious beliefs, stories, land, work, and play of the Ojibway people. Shelley Hulan's afterword considers Copway's rhetorical strategies in framing a narrative―she considers it a form of "history, interrupted"―for a non-Indigenous readership.

Genres: History, Native Americans, Nonfiction, Native American

180 pages, Paperback

Published September 18, 2014

About the author

Born in Trenton, Ontario, in 1818, George Copway (Kah-ge-ga-gah-bowh) wrote extensively on Aboriginal peoples and, as an ordained Methodist minister, worked as a missionary among several tribes. He is the author of several books, including The Life, History and Travels of Kah-ge-ga-gah-bowh (1847).

Reviews

[Amal El-Mohtar · Rating 3 out of 5]

Read for the settler-modernity course. A complicated book I'm still mulling over. Left me wanting to learn indigenous languages.

[patrick Lorelli · Rating 4 out of 5]

This book was interesting it was first published in 1850 and is really a history of his people and stories to be shared and passed down. A good way for their stories which also is part of their life to be saved to record. Was a little difficult to understand in some parts, but I just reread them. I found this to be an interesting book. He also looked at the good and bad of government plans for the Indians, not just for his Tribe but for all because sometimes Native Americans were all put together regardless of Tribe. he also goes over his thoughts of being forced to learn what they called"White man ways", language, schooling, etc.. I got this book from netgalley. I gave it 4 stars. Follow us at www.1rad-readerreviews.com

[Dessa · Rating 2 out of 5]

My trials and tribulations through 19th century literature continue.