INDIGENOUS INGENUITY

A comprehensive unveiling of the “rich scientific legacy” of Indigenous Peoples.

Havrelock (Saddle Lake Cree Nation) and Kay address misunderstandings about Indigenous Peoples and their ways of knowing. They reveal significant Indigenous contributions in the areas of ecology and sustainability, transportation, health sciences, mathematics, and more. Readers are called to action “to come together and build a mutually respectful and healthier future.” A conversational tone invites readers to engage with this monumental collection and explore the forward thinking of numerous Indigenous nations, each credited for their ideas by name. Curious readers will learn facts unique to individual tribal groups while gaining knowledge of STEM/STEAM concepts such as friction, biochemistry, papermaking, musical instruments, and more. Each chapter highlights how Indigenous inventions have long-lasting legacies. For example, the authors explore how Indigenous designers created the continent’s first metal fishhooks along with the precursors to anoraks and crampons, to name a few. Modern and historical photographs adorn the text seamlessly, enhancing the reading experience. An ancient counting system is hidden in plain sight throughout, which observant readers discover in a later chapter. Minibiographies of contemporary Indigenous role models shine in sidebars, including artists, scientists, and other innovators. Young readers will delight in simple science experiments sprinkled throughout. Final art not seen.

An ambitious, appealing, and accessible work documenting and protecting valuable knowledge.