Searching through the annals of North American history uncovers the diverse and astounding contributions by the Natives of the Americas who formed the world we know today.
In the Shadow of Our Ancestors explores the rich history of the indigenous peoples of North America and leaves us in awe of their stunning achievements and inventions:
The Great Law of Peace — The ideals, words and symbols of the Iroquois Confederacy inspired the governments of the New World to form democracies that recognized, in their constitutions, the rights of all people.
Potatoes — The lowly potato, a staple food of Natives for almost 15,000 years, was unknown outside the Americas until Europeans arrived; now, with almost 4000 varieties, it is the fourth most-consumed agricultural product in the world.
Sacagawea — The settlement of western North America was inspired and influenced by the results of the Lewis and Clark expedition in the early 1800s, with the journey’s success made possible because of a Native woman named Sacagawea, whose presence paved the way for the explorers to be seen as a peaceful party.
First Nations peoples and Native Americans in North America have long believed in the power of spirit animals or totems. They believed that these animals had lessons to teach and healing or inspirational powers:
- One of the strongest spirit animals, the bear is known as the grandfather for many peoples; they are seen as strong, powerful creatures that can never die. Bears also mean leadership, confidence and courage.
- The buffalo/bison is a symbol of strength and power but also of life because for many peoples it was the major source of food, hides, etc. White Buffalo Woman is also a strong spirit, teaching people to walk through life in a sacred manner.
- Trickster and the creator in one is the coyote, and some say that humans descended from the coyote. Legends tell that the coyote brought fire, knowledge of herbs and food to the humans but at the same time brought death.
- The lizard is a gateway animal to the dream world.
- Many peoples call North America Turtle Island because the turtle carried the earth on its back. Turtles carrying the earth must have peace and balance, so turtles are symbols of these attributes.
- The wolf is known to many as the Great Teacher. Wolves taught many humans how to form communities and to hunt. The medicine of a wolf is very strong and can offer much but also demands full participation and sincerity.
Wayne Arthurson delves into the world of spirit animals and shows the meanings of these animals to Native peoples and how nature has made its mark on their world.
Métis journalist Leo Desroches has just been released from jail. Fortunately for him, he is re-hired at the paper to write a popular column about crime. It's summer, the city is hot and buzzing with mosquitoes and it's on track for a record number of homicides.
Called to the scene of an apparent overdose of a young Native man in the inner city, Leo witnesses some rocks falling out of the body bag, and he picks them up. At first he believes they are crack cocaine but discovers that the rocks are really rough diamonds. As he digs deeper into the story, he finds that the victim was a highly trained mudlogger at one of the new diamond mines in Canada's High Arctic. Leo gets dragged into a deadly conflict between the mining companies and a murderous Native street gang, who are fighting for control of the development of another diamond mine.
Caught in the middle of this billion-dollar conflict, Leo is also battling his own demons and fears. Will he get out of this struggle alive?
Wayne Arthurson drew critical acclaim from the likes of Booklist and Library Journal for Fall from Grace, his genre-bending debut featuring half-Cree, half-French Canadian reporter Leo Desroches. In this sequel, Leo poses as a homeless man for a story but ends up chasing something more sinister when a Native street kid he befriends is murdered. Investigating the brutal culture of a local gang known as Redd Alert, Leo uncovers secrets that jeopardize both his safety and the life he’s built since beating his gambling addiction.
Wayne Arthurson's debut, Fall from Grace, marks him as a promising new voice in Canadian fiction. When Edmonton newspaper reporter Leo Desroches is assigned to cover the murder of an Aboriginal woman, his half-Cree heritage immediately identifies with the victim. Before long Leo discovers a pattern of murdered natives that goes back 20 years, and a police force that could not care less. Still fighting his own demons, Leo vows to uncover a brutal serial killer.
