Prince and the Salmon People

When the salmon stop coming to his village, a Tsimshian prince travels to the world of the Spring Salmon People and discovers the vital connection between the human and animal worlds

Grade 5-7-In this tale that incorporates anthropological data, a prince born at the same moment the spring salmon run is destined by "the greatest of all shamans" to remind his people of their interdependence with the fish. Busy and forgetful, the people neglect the salmon rituals, and famine results. The prince, having angered his mother, runs away and, ultimately, lives with his uncle, the Chief of the Spring Salmon People. Here, he ends the famine by restoring the proper rituals. Though its message is unimpeachable, the narrative is not only slow, but also confusing. (Why does the "greatest" shaman not guard the rituals? How does the boy get pocketsful of goat fat in the midst of a famine? How can readers know that he has actually left the "real" world and entered the spirit world, when there is no threshold depicted?) However, it is authentic and admirable in many ways. Numerous grisaille drawings done in the traditional native Northwest style enrich the volume. The figures appear slightly stiff and archaic, but their formal attitudes are in keeping with cultural norms and the seriousness of the story. In addition, there are many color and black-and-white photographs-with detailed captions-of Tsimshian people and artifacts interspersed throughout the text. These pages break the flow of the tale, but do contribute to its flavor. A worthy effort, more to be consulted for reports than for the pleasure of a good read.
Patricia Dooley, formerly at University of Washington, Seattle
Copyright 1993 Reed Business Information, Inc.