Some
of the innovations may have been independently developed in other parts of the world (geometry, for example, was developed
in ancient China, Greece, and the Middle East as well as in the Americas) but still fit all three criteria. The period of
time covered is 25,000 B.C. to the twentieth century. Among the entries are Adobe, Agriculture, Appaloosa horse breed, Chocolate,
Cigars, Diabetes medication, Freeze-drying, Hydraulics, Trousers, Urban planning, and Zoned biodiversity. Readers will find
much of the content revealing. The authors note that the Moche "invented the electrochemical production of electricity" although
they used it only for electroplating, a process they developed "more than a thousand years" before the Europeans, who generally
get the credit. The Aztec medical system was far more comprehensive than anything available in Europe at the time of contact.
The
Encyclopedia of American Indian Contributions to the World is an "Eyeopener to the innumerable contributions of the American
Indian to our nation and to world civilizations...."
The
awards it has won and some of the print reviews this book has received are listed below.
Winner 11th Annual
Colorado
Book Award, Collections and Anthologies
Winner Wordcraft Circle of Native Writers and Storytellers Writer of
the Year, Creative Reference Work, 2002
Selected by Booklist
as Editors Choice Reference Source, 2002
"This is a well-written
book with fascinating information and wonderful pictures. It should be in every public, school, and academic library for its
depth of research and amazing wealth of knowledge. We've starred this title because it is eye-opening and thought-provoking,
and there is nothing else quite like it." Booklist Starred Review
"[An] interesting,
informative, and inspiring book." Native Peoples Magazine
"I would strongly
urge anyone with a kernel of intellectual curiosity: teacher, administrator, researcher, lawyer, politician, writer, to buy
this book. I guarantee it will enlighten, stimulate and entertain...Native students and indigenous instructors must obtain
their own copies of the Encyclopedia. Whether Cree, Mayan or Penobscot they will find a deep source of pride on each and every
page. I can well imagine the excitement of Native teachers when they obtain the book followed by an eagerness to share its
contents with everyone within reach."
"I hope the Encyclopedia
will serve as the basis for an entirely new approach to Native history, one in which the scholar is liberated from the anti-Indian
texts of the recent past. Ideally, a copy of the Encyclopedia should be in every class in every school across the hemisphere." Akwesasne
Notes-Indian Time–Doug George-Kanentiio, Akwesasne Mohawk, co-founder of the Native American Journalists Association
and the Akwesasne Communications Society
"Highly recommended
for academic libraries keeping collections about American Indians." Choice: Current Reviews for Academic Libraries
"Native accomplishments
finally get their due in this award-winning book." American Indian Report
"A treasure trove
of information about the large range of technologies and productions of Indian peoples. This is indeed the most comprehensive
compilation of American Indian inventions and contributions to date. It is most worthwhile and should be on the bookshelves
of every library and home in America."
Indian Country Today
"This large, well-illustrated
volume is an excellent reference. One of the important strengths of the encyclopedia is that the information provided is balanced
and rooted in facts, not speculation. Highly recommended." Multicultural Review
"Far from the stereotypical
idea that Native Americans were uncultured and simple, possessing only uncomplicated inventions such as bows and arrows or
canoes, these varied cultures donated a rich assortment of ideas and items to the world. This book can be recommended to libraries
that support an interdisciplinary approach to student learning, such as units that integrate biology and culture studies projects."
VOYA: Voice of Youth Advocates
"...a comprehensive,
unique A to Z reference to the vast offerings made by the American Indians throughout history." Winds of Change (American
Indian Science and Engineering Society)
"We bought one for each center. It is
a GREAT resource." Ann Rutherford, Director Learning
Resources Center, Oglala Lakota College
"As I travel to conferences and host
presentations, I take your book as a reference and to show individuals. It allows science, engineering and math students to
gain insight into the traditional knowledge held about these and related subjects. I believe it empowers them to know this
knowledge is already within. To balance contemporary knowledge within that context creates a student who can experience a
topic from a number of perspectives." Jacqueline Bolman, Director, South Dakota School of Mines & Technology Scientific
Knowledge for Indian Learning and Leadership (SKILL)/NASA Honors Program
"…the three page introduction alone
makes this book a valuable resource as it sets forth the circumstances which led the invaders to change their initial writings
of wonder at the advanced native societies…I hope a way can be found to put this book in the hands of our youth and
all who touch them." Carter Camp, American Indian rights activist, Ponca tribal leader and founder of Kansas/Oklahoma AIM
