Under Prairie Skies: The Plants and Native Peoples of the Northern Plains

by C. Thomas Shay

In Under Prairie Skies , C. Thomas Shay asks and answers the question, What role did plants play in the lives of early inhabitants of the northern Great Plains? Since humans arrived at the end of the Ice Age, plants played important roles as Native peoples learned which were valuable foods, which held medicinal value, and which were best for crafts.

Incorporating Native voices, ethnobotanical studies, personal stories, and research techniques, Under Prairie Skies shows how, since the end of the Ice Age, plants have held a central place in the lives of Native peoples. Eventually some groups cultivated seed-bearing annuals and, later, fields of maize and other crops. Throughout history, their lives became linked with the land, both materially and spiritually.
 

Genres: Nature

312 pages, Paperback

Published July 1, 2022

Reviews

[Candace Simar · Rating 5 out of 5]

Under Prairie Skies describes the plants and Native Americans of the Northern Plains. It is exquisitely crafted with prose that reads like poetry. That along with the beautiful photos and illustrations make this book a must-read for anyone interested in the prairies of North America.

[Michael · Rating 5 out of 5]

I found this book really interesting. It give so much detail about the praries and its early people. As someone who live and works in the prairies it was fascinating to see how Native Americans used the plants that I see everyday.