Ni Kso Ko Wa: Blackfoot Spirituality, Traditions, Values and Beliefs

NI-KSO-KO-WA, means "My Relatives", is a ceremonial way of greeting all creation. It is spoken upon entering the Sweat Lodge where people go to purify their bodies & pray for all that exists in the Universe. This book connects modern day Indians with their ancient past. It explains what it means to be "Indian" in America today through teachings handed down to the author & by means of personal experiences as a member of the Blackfoot Nation. Questions such as, What do the designs & symbols on the painted lodge mean? Why do Indians paint their faces? What does the sacred pipe mean to present-day users? What is the importance of Indian names? Which is correct, Blackfoot or Blackfeet? The language & style are easily accessible to all age groups & reading levels. Yet, it is a book that will find its place in universities & colleges that offer Native American studies. Historians will enjoy its authenticity, as will social studies teachers of younger children. Parents of Indian children who wish to educate their children in the traditional way of Indian culture will find the book of utmost value. It is excellent reading material for anyone interested in another culture.Harold E. Gray Long Standing Bear is the author of 'Ni Kso Ko Wa: Blackfoot Spirituality, Traditions, Values and Beliefs', published 1991 under ISBN 9780963514813 and ISBN 0963514814.