Ka'm-t'em: A Journey Toward Healing
Ka'm-t'em: A Journey Toward Healing
by Kishan Lara-Cooper, Walter J. Lara, Sr., et al.
Ka'm-t'em, A Journey Towards Healing is composed of essays by 23 indigenous scholars and cultural leaders from tribes in our northern California area.
A quote from the book's introduction presents the intention of the work. "One purpose of the book is to expose you, the reader, to Indigenous knowledge, the journey to protect it, and the healing that comes through transmitting it to younger generations." It presents the crushing effects of colonization on indigenous people -- their culture, values, health and sense of self-worth. And it explores the growing efforts at decolonization, of awakening to and restoring indigenous world views.
Reading this book is a remarkable experience. A brief book review can hardly capture this, and to do the book justice it can not be viewed as a quick read. With academic thoroughness and cultural insight, it blends history and the natural and cultural environment. This presents a solid foundation for the growing movement toward "resistance, renewal and advocacy" whether dealing with education, health, nature, religion, language, sustenance or government.
Scattered through the book are poems, photos and insight into art and ceremonies. Everything concludes with essays by young people -- a new generation to carry on the decolonization and renewal of traditional values and practices. Altogether, reading this book is informative and mind-opening, whatever culture one comes from.
