Book REVIEW: Turtle Island

Today I’m sharing a book recommendation for those of you who messaged in regards to a good resource to teach yourselves/elementary to middle school aged kids about the Indigenous Peoples of Canada. “Turtle Island: The Story of North America’s First Peoples” written by Indigenous author, Eldon Yellowhorn, takes readers back to the Ice Ages, way before the Europeans arrived in 1492. The book gives a glimpse into what life was like for the First Peoples through the usage of storytelling, Native myths, as well as scientific and archeological evidence. The 116 page book covers a ton of information from new discoveries to life during and after the Ice Age, animals that came and left over time, what the First Peoples ate, how they expressed themselves to how they adapted to the changes in the land. The last part of the book highlights the European invasion and all the tragedies that came with it including small pox brought by the Spaniards which claimed the lives of 95% of the Native population, slavery, starvation, war, stolen land, forced assimilation and conversion to Christianity, and residential schools for “civilization”.

While “Turtle Island: The Story of North America’s First Peoples” primarily covers Native life before the European invasion, the sequel “What the Eagle Sees: Indigenous Stories of Rebellion and Renewal” also by Eldon Yellowhorn, tells the stories of what Indigenous people did when the Europeans invaded their lands.The author shares accounts of Indigenous history from an Indigenous viewpoint; a perspective that is never taught in public schools.

If you are interested in purchasing these two books, they are linked on my Amazon Store under Non-Fiction Books, for your convenience.