Ella E. Clark (1896–1984)

This is another of the collections of Native American legends authored or coauthored by Ella Elizabeth Clark. I've had this book since the late nineties, among others, collecting all I could find. Ella E. Clark's books are the most prized by me, being as she went to great lengths in pursuit of authenticity. Many are long out of print, but can be found in used books outlets.

Where other of Clark's books are more regionalized, this is a broad spectrum covering tribes of the Northwest, Southwest, Great Plains, Central Region, Southeast, and Northeast regions of North America.

So what's the big deal about Native American legends? Besides reviving memories of legends heard in my youth, and employing some, or the ideas of, in my writing, I've long wondered how Native Americans came by some of the legends. Legends that may have been collected and recorded in the last couple hundred years, but are supposedly many thousands of years old, passed down orally. Some are for entertaining youth, many more are moral/ethics lessons, and others are about ancient history, some uncannily accurate in their essence.

For example, (from Ella E. Clark's Indian Legends from the Northern Rockies, Shoshone and Bannock's section) the earth was first fire, then water, then Turtle Island was formed, with the story enhanced of course. How would primitives imagine this?

Another example (in this book) is titled The flood on Superstition Mountain which bears a resemblance to the Noah's Arc Bible story, but likely has its origins in a time before the Bible, certainly before Native Americans were aware of the Bible.

In other words, this book and others by Ella E. Clark, can stir up a lot of thoughts and questions. They can even bring to mind moral issues that we've trampled on.

At the same time, I would caution readers about the many versions of Native American legends that are to be found in today's 'information world.' Many are our own versions misinterpreted or twisted for our own purposes.… (plus d'informations)

I found as the blurb notes, "Sacagawea, seen in the light of accurate history rather than legend, remains an intriguing and inspiring figure in our past." I've had this book since the 1980s.

This book is divided into two sections, the first regarding her involvement in the Lewis and Clark Expedition, and the second is of her life after the Expedition.

Sacagawea's roles in the Lewis and Clark Expedition are the stuff of which myths are made, and have been made by such as Eva Emery Dye. In truth though, the legends obscure the person and the real contributions Sacagawea made to the first scientific exploration of the American West through territory unexplored by Western culture. These contributions did indeed assure the success of the Expedition, but are more meaningful than the myths conjured up. With her infant son strapped to her back, as a member of the main party from April 7, 1805 until August 14, 1806 she was a valuable asset sharing the explorer's hardships and helping them survive.

The second part of the book deals mostly with Sacagawea's life after the Expedition until her passing in 1884. Yes, she lived an interesting life to a ripe old age. It also deals with others' involvement.

The author, Ella Elizabeth Clark, is well known to me, being the most prolific and accurate chronicler of Native American legends that I know of. Ella Elizabeth Clark (January 8, 1896 – July 9, 1984) was an American educator, author, and Professor Emerita of English. Although Clark was not a trained anthropologist or folklorist, she collected large numbers of American Indian and First Nations oral traditions and made them available to a wide readership.

Regardless of what other stories/accounts about Sacagawea you may have read, I recommend reading this book to learn what a truly interesting and courageous person this woman really was.

PS: I may be a bit biased, having close ties to the Northern Shoshone people (Newe).… (plus d'informations)