Algonquin Indian Tales

by Egerton Ryerson Young

Many of the earliest books, particularly those dating back to the 1900s and before, are now extremely scarce and increasingly expensive. We are republishing these classic works in affordable, high quality, modern editions, using the original text and artwork.

316 pages, Paperback

First published September 20, 1903

About the author

Egerton Ryerson Young (7 April 1840–5 October 1909) was a Canadian teacher, Methodist missionary, lecturer, and author.

In 1890, Young published his first book: By canoe and dog train among the Cree and Salteaux. In his first book, he tells his journey and hardships in the cold northwest to meet and convert Cree.

Thereafter, he wrote several other books one of the most known Stories from Indian wigwams and northern camp-fires (1892). In 1904-05, Young and his wife went on a trip around the world, with an extended stay in Australia for lectures and distribution of books.


Not to be confused with Egerton Ryerson (1803–1882) who was also a Canadian Methodist and had an important role in the educational system in Canada.

Reviews

[Maggie Reed · Rating 3 out of 5]

I'll have to agree with those who thought this compilation was a bit mediocre. It was. Granted, I see them more as told from the POV of someone explaining these stories to little children, but they just weren't my cuppa. What bothered me most, if these were, indeed, written for children, was the way in which the writer talked down to them, and the lack of reality along some lines was absurd. Still, many of the stories have a little basis in tangible Native American lore. I am just very sure that Native Americans wouldn't talk down to their own children this way.

[A.R. Jarvis · Rating 3 out of 5]

It's a tough call, honestly. I thought there was a lot of very subtle racism--or more Euro-centrism--where the two white children were basically treated like royalty, especially by the Indians, who are more than happy to bow to their every whim. And then there was the fact that the book is old, and has non-PC terms in it such as 'Indian' and 'white children'...But I also found that it was very readable stylistically, and the legends (not the between bits) were pretty solid and well-told, and not particularly biased, though certainly geared for a younger crowd. A younger crowd, who you wouldn't want to read a subtly racist book to, so who does that leave as the audience? No idea.

You might read it, but there are better collections of Native American tales out there, and some of them lack the objectionable subtleties.