The Powwow is a time-honoured Native American custom. It is a
celebration of life and spirituality, a remembrance of traditions, uniting a people through dance and ritual.
Long Powwow Nights takes you on a wonderful journey, honouring these mystical dancers who
keep their traditions alive through dance and song. In its poetic verses, David Bouchard skillfully narrates
the story of a mother’s dedication to her roots and her efforts to impress upon her child the importance of
culture and identity.
Internationally revered Native American artist, Leonard Paul, brings the story alive with his beautiful
renditions of powwow dancers, warriors, and stunning landscape.
The book is accompanied by a CD, which includes music by internationally acclaimed singer and songwriter,
Buffy Sainte-Marie.
Click here to see
a sample spread, pages 23 and 24,
Or here to see a
Trailer for Long Powwow Nights (8:07)
narrated by David Bouchard.
Reviews:
"Leonard Paul's wonderful artwork is the major strength of Long Powwow Nights. The magnificent
paintings have a photographic realism that, given the subject matter, is beautiful and awe-inspiring. . .
Long Powwow Nights is a stunning book that will especially appeal to First Nation People and to
anyone who has enjoyed the opportunity to attend a powwow ceremony.
Highly Recommended."
-- CM Magazine
"The incantatory verse that animates this song of praise to a mother who kept the magic of the
powwow alive for her son's generation casts a spell, to be sure, but [Leonard Paul's] stunning
paintings of dancers in full-feathered dress and face paint eclipse all else."
-- The Globe and Mail
"Breathtaking colour paintings of traditionally clothed dancers and dance scenes intensify the
passion of the ritual and the Powwow experience. Readers are also inspired through included audio
media by Buffy Sainte-Marie, along with English and Mi'kmaq readings by the authors. This book is
a wonderful tribute to the traditional culture of the Mi'kmaq nation, as well as an enriching
resource for non-natives, and a celebration of First Nations People."
Rated E (Excellent)
-- Resource Links
"This book takes a beautiful look at some of the valued traditions from the Native Americans.
I had absolutely no idea about their culture and I was fascinated as I turned the pages and
analyzed the various pictures. This book is beautiful as well as informative and I thought it did
a great job of telling us about someone else's 'true life and story'."
-- bookshipper.blogspot.com
David Bouchard is one of Canada’s favourite authors. He has written over two dozen best-selling
books, including Nokum is My Teacher, and An Aboriginal Carol.
Pam Aleekuk grew up on the prairies and is of Métis descent. She has been nominated twice for
the Governor General’s Award for Excellence in teaching Canadian History.
Leonard Paul is a widely acclaimed painter born in Halifax where his art has been featured in
exhibits around the world. He has been recently nominated for the Governor General’s Award.
Buffy Sainte-Marie was born in Qu’Appelle Valley, Saskatchewan, and raised in Maine and
Massachusetts. Buffy became known as a writer of protest songs and love songs, many of which became huge
hits for artists such as Barbra Streisand, Elvis Presley, Janis Joplin, and Neil Diamond, to name a few.
She is an educator, a songwriter, an artist, and a proud spokesperson for Native American Art and Culture.
