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"I was taken from my mother at birth and adopted by a white family. I didn’t find out until I was in my teens that I was from the north country of British Columbia, descended from the Sekani Nation (which means 'mountain people'.) The Sekani are medicine healers.
My first collection is dedicated to all the travelers I met as I traveled the pathways of both the dark and the red road. The book is dedicated from my heart to the many elders who shared their spiritual experiences and who embrace their cultures in the ways they live. My Indian name Sus' naqua ootsin' (the Wisdomkeeper) was given to me by a 100 year old lady who looked deep into my eyes and saw into my soul. My journey started on one of the Darkest Days of my life – when I finally decided to put on a my red running shoes and follow the magic road."
John "Wisdomkeeper" Makowski is currently working on a second collection of stories about his travels along the red road and native traditional ways. |
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Gifts from the Grandmothers
The Wisdomkeeper Collection
It is traditional for First Nation’s people to give thanks, and acknowledge our relationship, to the plants, animals, birds and creatures from the water, to show respect for their giving their spirits in order for others to survive. Traditionally elders say prayers to commemorate this sacrifice at a feast gathering.
During these gatherings the people share their recipes and often demonstrate the preparation and cooking of food. Elders would pass on ancient food gathering and preparation guides to the younger members of the tribe.
Because of this tradition of passing on the wisdom of the tribe from generation to generation, First Nation’s people became increasingly skilled in the art of drying and preparing foods, herbs and berries with each passing generation. The Medicine men and women of the tribes were gifted healers trained by generations of ancestors in the art of using the gifts of Mother Earth to heal the people of their tribes. The recipes in this collection were shared with me by Grandmothers from many cultural backgrounds.
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Native Recipes from the Grandmothers
The Wisdomkeeper Collection
It is traditional for First Nation’s people to give thanks, and acknowledge our relations, to the plants, animals, birds and creatures from the water, to show respect for their giving their spirits in order for others to survive.
Traditionally elders say prayers to commemorate this sacrifice at a feast gathering. During these gatherings the people shared their recipes and often demonstrated the preparation and cooking of food. Elders would pass on ancient food gathering and preparation guides to the younger members of the tribe.
Because of this tradition of passing on the wisdom of the tribe from generation to generation, First Nation’s people became increasingly skilled in the art of drying and preparing foods, herbs and berries with each passing generation. The Medicine men and women of the tribes were gifted healers trained by generations of ancestors in the art of using the gifts of Mother Earth to heal the people of their tribes.
"I like this book. The recipes are easy to follow and give good step by step instructions. The recipes that use flowers and plants are particularly interesting, as well as the fry bread and other bread recipes. As another reviewer noted, there's a blend of Native American with European that I personally welcome.
There's a lot of useful information in it. The herbal information is mostly stuff I already know, as I've studied and used herbs for many years, but it was nice to see how they are used by the Native Americans who were his sources.
The stories and legends are a lot of fun and make this book even more an expression of the author and the grandmothers who helped him on his way to publishing this book. It's 2012, and the grandmothers have not lived in a vacuum, naturally, so short cuts such as cake mix and gelatin do not detract at all from the value and integrity of this book. After all, I don't plan on boiling bones to get gelatin for a recipe, and sometimes a cake mix can make a splendid, quick dessert. The presence of those items in a Native American cookbook does not detract from its value. Rather, it makes the recipes more easily followed and thus more practical.
When I loaded the book, I expected Native American recipes. I got them. My expectations were met. Thank you, sir." ~ 5 Stars, Magnus, Amazon Reader and Verified Purchase |
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Cultural Alternatives to Drug and Alcohol Addiction
In traditional times the problems of Native Youth were of great concern to the entire tribe. The Youth were the hope of the future and their instruction was overseen by wise and loving Elders.
Drugs and alcohol destroy the body, mind and spirit and make a mockery of the Sundance. The Sundance is an ancient ritual that pays tribute to mother earth and the four seasons.
Sundancers represent the courage, strength and stamina of our people, and in these modern times they are a strong statement of the determination of our Nation not to be destroyed but to rebuild in strength and unity.
Native youth are a vital part of our Vision for the future. Drugs and alcohol destroy that Vision. |
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On the Red Road
On the Red Road from the Wisdomkeeper Collection published by Books We Love includes traditional Native American legends and fables, campfire stories from different cultures as well as the story of Wisdomkeeper's personal journey as he learned the ways and followed the teachings of Grandfather.
The coyote (Heyokah)--known to many First Nations people as Trickster--is a teacher whose lessons bring both tears and laughter. The lessons of Trickster are those of learning to laugh and joke at life’s difficulties. Seeing the humor in pain and suffering strengthens the spirit. Once we have learned the gift of laughter healing of the spirit begins.
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