The Wolf's Trail: An Ojibwe Story, Told by Wolves

by Thomas D. Peacock

Several days after I took the pups to the place overlooking Spirit Island, Youngest Nephew came to visit one afternoon as I lay sunning. “Zhi-shay’,” he began hesitantly. “I don’t know my life purpose.” “Sure you do,” I replied. “Part of your purpose was determined before you were even born. It’s just not clear to you yet because you are still young.” “When will I know?” he asked. “The Creator made us, you, me, all of us here, your family. It made us for a very special reason.” “So I don’t need to go seek my vision?” he asked. “No,” I said. “Wolves do not need to seek a vision.” “Our purpose and reason for being,” I said, “Is to be wolves.” --- The Wolf’s Trail tells of Zhi-shay’, an elder wolf, and a litter of young wolves living somewhere on the side of a hill overlooking the river that flows through Nagahchiwanong in northern Minnesota. Zhi-shay’, who knows the whole story of the parallel relationship between wolves and the Ojibwe going all the way back to the Beginning, sharing it with his nieces and nephews, and us. Replete with universal lessons, The Wolf’s Trail is the story of the Ojibwe, told by wolves, of what they were and have become, and the promise of their becoming.

Genres: Indigenous, Fiction, Native American, Book Club

167 pages, Kindle Edition

Published July 14, 2020

Reviews

[Anne Nerison · Rating 4 out of 5]

The Wolf's Trail is ostensibly a story about wolves, but in reality it's so much more than that. It's many tales woven into one, largely about how the Ojibwe people's and the wolves' lives are intertwined, how their lives affect each other's, and about their past and their origins.

Zhi-shay', Uncle, is an old wolf at nine years old, and is his pack's story keeper. The pups all come to him with questions, and in the evenings, they talk story. The stories begin with the world's creation and the naming of all things, and even at the beginning, Zhi-shay' makes clear that the wolves and the Ojibwe are connected. After all, in the beginning, the Creator appointed First Human and Ma'iingan, first wolf, to name everything on earth, creating a deep bond. Zhi-shay' then tells stories of the migrations of the first people in what is now North America, and how the Ojibwe came to Madeline Island. He continues with stories of what happened when the new humans (white missionaries and immigrants) arrived, how the Ojibwe's lives were forever changed, and the injustices that occurred, including the boarding school system. But in the end, the wolves' stories are hopeful that good change is coming, that people are going back to the old ways.

One element of the book that surprised me but that I appreciated was that before each chapter, Peacock includes a short nonfiction excerpt relating to the story to come. It's a good reminder that even though this book is fiction, the events are based on history and reality.

Peacock is a wonderful storyteller. He doesn't shy away from painful realities, but he also includes the good, the small moments of peace and love. For anyone interested in Ojibwe stories and history, I would recommend The Wolf's Trail as an addition to your reading lists.

[Todd Williams · Rating 5 out of 5]

I thought this book was going to be pretty stupid--anthropomorphic wolves telling stories--but it was actually an amazing blend of myth, history, and wisdom. Highly recommended.

[Mark Bourdon · Rating 5 out of 5]

I was at an Indigenous Art Fair and Thomas D. Peacock and his wife Betsy had a booth at the fair. It was a great pleasure meeting both and I purchased Two books, including The Wolf’s Trail. Such a creative and engaging way to share Ojibwe stories. I learned a great number of lessons from the stories and now I wish I had purchased at least two or three more books from Thomas and Betsy. At some point, I think I will need to read this again, so that I can remember and live the lessons taught more deeply. 🙏🏻

[Nora Peterson · Rating 3 out of 5]

Really Great Book! There was a lot of emotions in this story, such as you crying to sad pats, laughing to funny parts, or even smiling to happy parts.

[Renee Christine · Rating 4 out of 5]

*4.5 stars* The lessons and messages in this book are beautiful, powerful and magical, as they are told by Zhi-Shay (Uncle) to his niece and nephews and other pups in his wolf pack. Yes, the stories are told from the perspective of wolves who live alongside the Ojibwe. I will never look at the northern lights or stars in the Milky Way the same.

[Becky Loader · Rating 4 out of 5]

What a beautiful story!

The Uncle Wolf is talking story to the pups--his nephews. Love is part of the whole, and the Creator is everywhere.

I want to be able to talk to the wolves.

[Terry · Rating 4 out of 5]

I initially approached this book as Watership Down with wolves, which it is not. What it turns out to be is an imaginative way for Thomas Peacock to provide a welcome primer on the Ojibwe creation account and spiritual value system. The story also serves as a call for the Ojibwe people to return to the communal ways that have been the strength of the people. The culture of wolf packs is depicted quite sympathetically which is ironic since while I was reading this account, wolves were being “harvested” in Wisconsin at a rate well above the approved level.

[Brandann Hill-Mann · Rating 4 out of 5]

3.5, but I insist on rounding up because this beautiful book should not suffer for my difficulty.

I struggled with this one. I’m Ojibwe, and familiar with some of the stories, and love the premise of the book. I am exactly the target audience for this book. I am even used to the Ojibwe style of storytelling, which can be circular, and sometimes just a story to tell how something happened with no hidden moral.

The writing is clever, and the PoV wolf narrator delightful. I laughed many times at Zhi-shay’s asides regarding the pups, and his terms of endearment for them. Ojibwe and wolves have a special connection, and it’s such a fun way to tell the stories through their eyes.

It couldn’t keep my attention and I crawled through it at a very slow pace, even for me. There are so many things I enjoyed that I am sure it’s just my mood right now. I hope others will take a chance on it.

[Kris · Rating 5 out of 5]

The story is captivating and insightful. It has a lot of history and rich cultural heritage of the Ojibwe people.

Through the eyes of the wolf, we learn about the Ojibwe way of life, their connection to nature and the importance of community and tradition. Thomas D. Peacock masterfully blends folklore, history and spirituality creating a tapestry of stories that are as deeply moving as they are educational.

I highly recommend this book, honestly, for all ages. There is much that we can learn from stories of indigenous cultures and awareness of the past can hopefully make the futures better.

[Dayton Martindale · Rating 4 out of 5]

Each chapter tells an Ojibwe story, some from long ago and others more recent, but from the perspective of a wolf telling the pack’s pups. It’s a clever and mostly fun way to retell a people’s teachings and history, while also wondering what wolves may have made of these past centuries of colonization, genocide, and ecological destruction. For better or worse the author also uses the wolves to do some editorializing on what he sees as some of the biggest problems both with mass capitalist culture and the contemporary Ojibwe (consumerism, individualism, and alcohol come into his sights frequently). It’s fairly short and I think I learned a lot about Ojibwe stories and values.

[Amelia · Rating 5 out of 5]

The Wolf's Trail is one of the most beautifully written books I've ever read. It's full of Ojibwe teachings, love, heartbreak, and history. I was a bit hesitant when I saw in the title that it was going to be told by wolves, but I was surprised by how much I loved that! It gave the book so much more dimension and perspective to have the wolves' story told alongside the Ojibwe stories. The history in this book, and the way the author went about telling it, are so important and I would recommend this book to everyone.

[Julie A · Rating 4 out of 5]

3.5
This was hard for me... Lots of cultural un familiarities added to the narrative POV of a wolf uncle telling his wolf cub nieces and nephews Story-- the history of both their ancestors and of "first people," the Anishinabe (Ojibwe), and the ways their stories are one.
Because it was a sequence of stories, there wasn't really a narrative arc, so it didn't keep me fully engaged, but I don't really think that was the point.
I'm glad I read it.

[Richard · Rating 5 out of 5]

Beautiful but very sad, although hopeful. An old wolf “talks story” with the pups. Some of the stories are myths, but some are more like historical fiction, telling of the Ojibwe and the coming of the “new humans.”

It seemed to me there was a lot of love being expressed in this book. I am not entirely sure that I understood the ending … but I won’t spoil it. Anyway, the book overall was very, very good!

[Michael Bartolone · Rating 3 out of 5]

There is some very beautiful writing in this book. The device of using wolves to observe the progress and decline of man is a wonderful one. There is much to be said about human nature in their observations, and in the stories they tell about the pack. I found the one about Zhi-Zhay's brother, the omega wolf, to be particularly moving. The last half of the book leans very hard on a "we need to get back to the ways of the Creator" theme, which, as in Christian contexts, I find off-putting.

[Joe Hoggard · Rating 5 out of 5]

This short book is packed with lessons as Old Uncle wolf "talks story" sharing his accumulated wisdom with the next generations. It is at times a harsh look at how natives such as the Ojibwe have been treated, and explores the relationship between wolves, Ojibwe and their ancestral lands, and ancient customs.

[Theresa · Rating 4 out of 5]

What a different kind of book! Ojibway story told from the wolf’s point of view. It was interesting to learn how the Ojibwe way of life actually paralleled that of the wolf in so many different ways. Through the stories, the Elder Wolf explained to the pups how wolves came to be and their history with the Ojibwe. I would recommend this book. 4 stars.

[Chris · Rating 5 out of 5]

This book was touching, sometimes amusing, and informative in the ways of wolves and the Ojibwe people. It is narrated by an elder wolf talking story to the young wolves of his pack. The stories are all based on different teachings-wisdom , truth, love, respect, honesty, humility, bravery.
A story about our connections to each other and the earth.

[Carolyn · Rating 5 out of 5]

This is a beautiful novel that brings together the histories of the Ojibwe and wolves. I was drawn to this at my local library simply by the beautiful cover. When I saw that it was about wolves, I knew immediately that I wanted to give this a try. The point of view is unique and works so well. I picture myself rereading this again some day. Definitely recommend.

[Kay · Rating 4 out of 5]

There are so many valuable lessons in this book shared as stories of the wolves and of the Ojibwe people; lessons for old days as well as current application. There are lessons of love and truth, bravery, humility, wisdom, respect. One lesson I especially liked was based on “Generosity is love being acted upon…”
Well done, Mr Peacock.

[Kirsten]

Another book that I will have to share with my elementary social studies methods class.
I didn't sink right in, but was inexorably drawn in nonetheless.
History in is stark and sad telling and a way finder tale for moving forward on this conflict-laden land that is North America.

[Kate Zdenek · Rating 5 out of 5]

This is a unique viewpoint on Ojibwe culture. An older wolf "Uncle" spends time in the evenings with the pups of the pack storytelling. He passes on the history of the Ojibwe and their relationship with the wolves. I found much to contemplate in this short book.

[Renee · Rating 5 out of 5]

A delightful reminder of the interconnection of all beings, told through the lens of Ojibwe and wolf culture. Uncle talks story to the pups, thereby teaching the importance of wisdom, truth, love, bravery, humility, respect, and honesty in living a whole and centered life.

[Tala · Rating 5 out of 5]

I really enjoyed this book of stories told by an old wolf to the young pups at night. He gives them great life lessons about the Creation and interdependence between the Ojibwa Tribe and the wolves. Many wonderful bits of wisdom and joy, also some sorrow. I loved it. A+++ for any age

[Carmine · Rating 4 out of 5]

A lovely, wise, humorous, sometimes-sad tale of the traditional cultural and spiritual relationship between wolves and the Ojibwe people, and their joint histories. The dialog and interactions between Uncle (Zhi-shay) and the wolf cubs were especially delightful.

[Linda Erickson · Rating 4 out of 5]

Starts slowly,but gripping as the elder wolf talks story to young wolf pups. Paralleling this is the Ojibwes’ story as seen from the wolf’s perspective.
Many life lessons given!

[Heidi Bakk-Hansen · Rating 5 out of 5]

The author has done a great job weaving the story of the Ojibwe into a high-interest tale. This is the book that should be chosen as "required reading" for Duluth schoolchildren for sixth grade.

[Kathryn · Rating 4 out of 5]

The wolf and Ojibwe live closely.

[Mgb · Rating 5 out of 5]

A tale of love and hope told beautifully by Uncle Wolf

[Karen Zalewski · Rating 5 out of 5]

Great Read

I first saw this reviewed in the Sunday paper. I’m so glad I ordered it, it’s a profound story that made me do some real deep thinking and soul searching.

[Rachel Coyne · Rating 5 out of 5]

This is just such a lovely book. It made me cry - it’s prettily and lovingly constructed