The Mi'kmaq: How Their Ancestors Lived Five Hundred Years Ago

I bought this book to give to children, but enjoyed reading it myself. Accompanied by superb pen-and-ink drawings, the text is clearly written with just the right amount of detail to hold the attention of a young or adult reader. An historical overview is followed by a comprehensive but succinct description of the Micmacs' way of life. This of course covers topics such as hunting and fishing, and construction of shelter, canoes, sleds, tools, snowshoes, clothes, cookware and so forth, as well as "juicy" details of their social culture. This is history as it should be taught, with interesting descriptions of how children are cared for and educated, how extended families live together peacefully in single-room wigwams, how nature is viewed and revered, craft design and technology, courtship and "preparing a marriage feast", and attitudes and customs surrounding death. The reader is left with a strong impression of the many highly developed skills acquired by men, women and children of ancient, indigenous peoples (a humbling contrast to our high-tech, low-skill modern world). Inevitably, the book concludes on a sadder note in its brief recounting of the fate of Micmacs after European settlement, before ending with mention of their current status in the Maritime provinces.