Native American Landmarks and Festivals

February 1, 2019

Authors of the well-received Native American Almanac, Dennis (educational director, Children's Cultural Ctr. of Native America) and Hirschfelder (formerly with the Association of American Indian Affairs; Native Americans: A History in Pictures; The Extraordinary Book of Native American Lists) provide copious data on 729 Native American sites, describing rituals and celebrations (including powwows and roundups), artifacts, history, and visitors' activities. They offer thorough background information on parks, pageants, monuments, and landmarks as well as detailed coverage of the holdings of museums and heritage or cultural centers. A thoughtful introduction explains the absence of most battlefields. There are brief evocations of regions (plains, mountains), with the authors noting the number of Indigenous nations and Native citizens in each state. Phone numbers, websites, and abundant black-and-white photos help with trip planning, but there are no maps or ranking of attractions. General resources and a short list of mostly recent further reading extend the book's reach. As the authors mention, this title covers only Canada and the United States, not Indigenous sites in the other 21 North American countries and nine dependent territories. Samoa, Guam, Puerto Rico, and the Northern Marianas are discussed, however. VERDICT This authoritative, information-packed volume will be invaluable for tourists but also useful to others researching Indian history, heritage, and current cultural production.--Patricia D. Lothrop, formerly of St. George's Sch., Newport, RI

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