Book Review: North American Indian Survival Skills

 North American Indian Survival Skills by Karen Liptak, Franklin Watts, New York, A First Book, 1990

The author sites Willie Whitefeather as someone who is teaching Indian survival skills.  He often teaches in school settings.  North American Indian survival skills have much to offer.  This includes making a survival shelter.  If in the snow, a u shaped snow cave works best.  The book talks about making cordage from different fibers.  Also making glue.  Hunting is an important part of Native American life.  As is the making of tools.  Hunting can be done communally as well as individually.  Use of a disguise is helpful.  The use of snares is important for catching smaller game.  Fishing techniques are also important.  This could be done by spearing, using bait, using bare hands or nets.  Many plant were used for medicine, nutrition and housing.  Thefe were also techniques for cooking and preserving food.  Many types of containers were used such as pottery and baskets.  Depending on where you lived determined what items were used for basketry.  Clothing was often made from animal fur or hides.  

I found this book informative about Indian methods to live in harmony with the environment.