Indigenous Ingenuity

Many everyday things, from corn and chocolate to fishing hooks and seaworthy boats, trace their origins to the inventiveness of North America's Indigenous peoples. Modern life would look very different without these and many other scientific and technical advances, including life-saving disinfectants and methods for managing forest fires. Double-walled insulated construction is another example.

The book covers a wide range of subjects, including transportation, civil engineering, hunting tools, astronomy, brain surgery, architecture, and agriculture. It draws on recorded history and oral folklore to bring a body of knowledge that is often overlooked into view.

Simple, enjoyable activities and experiments let readers explore the principles that Indigenous inventors relied on, so they can test these ideas for themselves.

Written for readers of every age, the book celebrates traditional North American Indigenous innovation and encourages a outlook built on reciprocity, care for the environment, and the connections that link all living things.