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Richard K. Nelson

Make Prayers to the Raven: A Koyukon View of the Northern Forest

"Make Prayers to the Raven: A Koyukon View of the Northern Forest" by Richard K. Nelson is a profound and immersive exploration of the Koyukon people's relationship with the natural world. The Koyukon are an Athabaskan-speaking group indigenous to the interior of Alaska, and their worldview is deeply intertwined with the land and its non-human inhabitants. Nelson, an ethnographer and writer who lived among the Koyukon for over two years, provides a rich and nuanced account of their traditional ecological knowledge and spiritual practices. The book is organized thematically, with chapters devoted to topics such as the seasons, animals, and the human experience of the forest. Throughout, Nelson emphasizes the Koyukon's profound respect for the natural world and their understanding of the interconnectedness of all living things. One of the book's greatest strengths is its evocative and lyrical prose, which transports the reader into the heart of the Koyukon's forested world. Nelson's descriptions of the landscape, the weather, and the behavior of animals are so vivid and detailed that the reader feels as if they are experiencing the natural world alongside the Koyukon. At the same time, "Make Prayers to the Raven" is also a sobering reminder of the challenges facing indigenous communities in the modern world. Nelson explores the ways in which the Koyukon's traditional way of life has been disrupted by colonialism, resource extraction, and other forces of modernization. He also highlights the resilience and adaptability of the Koyukon people, who continue to preserve and pass down their traditional knowledge and practices in the face of these challenges. Overall, "Make Prayers to the Raven" is a thought-provoking and moving exploration of the Koyukon's relationship with the natural world. It is a must-read for anyone interested in environmental ethics, indigenous studies, or the intersection of culture and nature...