Squamish People of the Sunset Coast. Barbara Wyss. Illustrations by T’uy Tanat [Cease Wyss]. Victoria, BC: Trafford, 2005. 32 pp., pbk. $24.99. ISBN 1-412076-43-9. Subject Headings: Squamish mythology. Indian mythology-British Columbia-Vancouver. Grades 2-4 / Ages 6-9. Review by John Dryden. **½ /4

excerpt:

"Have there always been pow-wows here Gran?" She said, "No, my child not always as they are held today.

"Gran tell us again what it was like long ago," pleaded young Tashs, "How did people live?"

Granny Barb began her story.

Squamish People of the Sunset Coast is like taking a walk with Granny Barb. The story is a combination of many sources and weaves some of the history of the Squamish people as well as two tales from their cultural traditions. “The Two Sisters” tells the story of the daughters of a great chief who brings peace to long warring enemies. Their reward is to be remembered forever as two mountains known as the Two Sisters. “Mink and His Brother” tells the tale of the escape of two mischievous minks who get swallowed by a whale.

     One of the interesting aspects of this book is that it was created by members of the Wyss family and edited by the 12-year-granddaughter of Granny Barb! The illustrations are unique and colourful - again created by a Wyss family member (Cease Wyss). The text is interesting and informative. Readers will note abrupt changes in the story as it changes from historical recounting to either of the two stories. I found the three parts of the book to be interesting on their own but awkward to read as a whole. The cultural teacher assistant at our school thought this book was very good in conveying some of the First Nations information and culture.

      For school libraries looking for something different to add or fill out their collections, this would be an acceptable addition.

      Cautions: The book, held together by two staples, is not well bound. This factor, coupled with a price of almost $25.00, puts the book into a less attractive category.

Recommended with reservations.

John Dryden is a teacher-librarian in Duncan, B.C.

To comment on this title or this review, send mail to cm@umanitoba.ca.

Copyright © the Manitoba Library Association. Reproduction for personal use is permitted only if this copyright notice is maintained. Any other reproduction is prohibited without permission.

Published by The Manitoba Library Association ISSN 1201-9364

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