Ta'n teli-ktlamsi Tasit (Ways of Believing): Mi'kmaw Religion in Eskasoni, Nova Scotia

by Angela Robinson

Volume 3 of the Canadian Ethnography series emphasizes the role of religion as it pertains to constructing Mi’kmaw identity, primarily because religious and spiritual views help shape subjectivity and the social environment. Within Mi’kmaw society and culture, specific religious orientations and respective ideologies and expressions both shape and are shaped by personal and social identities. The reciprocal nature of this relationship between religious affiliation(s) and individual and collective identities is evident in the varied perceptions of culture, spirituality and religion found within the Mi’kmaw society.

Genres: Nonfiction

Paperback

First published January 1, 2005

Reviews

[Kathlyn Trozzi · Rating 4 out of 5]

For a book that I had to read for school, I was pleasantly surprised. Robinson approaches the ethnographic study of Mi'kmaw and their religious systems with sensitivity and clarity. While some segments become repeditive, it is only that many of the sentiments in the book are similar. There are many different views that are represented in unbias ways, which is important. There is also an important segment on the origins of colonizations and the treatments and abuses that Mi'kmaw have suffered at hands of colonizers that I feel is absolutely necessary in a study of Indigenous People.

It is a smooth book to read and I have come out the other side with new knowledge and most certainly new appreciation for the people of Eskasoni and their life ways.