A Native American Thought of It: Amazing Inventions and Innovations

Description

Everyone knows that moccasins, canoes and toboggans were invented by the Aboriginal people of North America, but did you know that they also developed their own sign language, syringe needles and a secret ingredient in soda pop? Depending on where they lived, Aboriginal communities relied on their ingenuity to harness the resources available to them. Some groups, such as the Iroquois, were particularly skilled at growing and harvesting food. From them, we get corn and wild rice, as well as maple syrup. Other groups, including the Sioux and Comanche of the plains, were exceptional hunters. Camouflage, fish hooks, and decoys were all developed to make the task of catching animals easier. And even games lacrosse, hockey and volleyball have Native American roots. Other clever inventions and innovations include the following: Sunscreen Surgical blades Diapers Asphalt Megaphones Hair conditioner With descriptive photos and information-packed text, this book explores eight different categories in which the creativity of First Nations peoples from across the continent led to remarkable inventions and innovations, many of which are still in use today.

Rocky Landon is an Ojibway band member from Northwestern Ontario. He taught junior high students for 11 years before working as a Native Studies consultant. He currently works with at-risk students. David MacDonald is a freelance editor and author of several children's books. He lives in Toronto.

All of this history teaches the reader that Native America is not one homogenous culture, rather a plethora of cultures spread across an enormous continent.--Elizabeth Shramko"ForeWord" (01/01/2009)