Anne Cameron (1) (1938–)

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Daughters of Copper Woman by Anne Cameron collects legends, myths, and folk tales from the First Nations women of the American Northwest. Ms. Cameron is a Canadian writer who wrote novels, poetry, as well as screenplays.

This is a short, yet fascinating book that is not just about Native American mythology. Like many other cultures, myths tell of history and culture not just of the “why” behind the “how”.

I enjoyed reading a different take on how we came to be here. From the Copper Woman who made the first male from snot (“Snot Boy”), to a female spirit that took on a man form so men can learn to do as much as women. The stories are often whimsical, with a sense of fun and, of course, feminism. Not in a militant way, but in a way that shows how important women were during that time.

However, I thought the real strength of the book is telling of the culture of the Nuu-chah-nulth people. The family structures, the community foundations, hunting, war, and more are many told through the eyes of “Granny”, women who shared their stories with the author.

Some of the stories I found interesting were the ones about the European “Keestadores”. They were viewed as guests but brought with them disease, rape, murder, and a misogynist religion that clashed loudly with the culture they were attempting to impose it on.

Daughters of Copper Woman by Anne Cameron manages to convey the adversity and triumphs of the culture. Even though it’s a short book, it’s filled with wisdom and stories, some of which struck a chord with me.… (meer)

Fiction: Picture Book
Cameron, Anne Raven Returns the Water. Illust. by Nelle Olsen. Harbour, 1987. 29p. Intermediate.
All the water has disappeared and everything is dying. Raven goes looking for it and finds that a giant frog living in the last green valley of the world has swallowed it all. Raven has to trick the frog into giving it back. The theme of this thoughtful, narrative, descriptive tale is sharing.
AK: Raven, Northwest
Activity: Ask children if they have ever seen a big frog. Where was it? What did it look like?… (meer)

Fiction: Picture Book
Cameron, Anne Lazy Boy. Illust. by Nelle Olsen. Harbour, 1988. 25p. Intermediate.
A baby boy is found on the beach by the Northwestern villagers. He eats and eats until he is twice the size of a grown man. All he does is sleep and eat. The people call him Lazy Boy a gift but he is from Orca and when trouble in the form of a tidal wave threatens-he saves them all. This is a narrative tale with black and white pen and ink style illustrations accompanying a descriptive, thoughtful story. Theme is generosity.
AK: Orca, Northwestern village life
Activity: Ask children if they have ever seen an orca. If so, where was it and what did it look like?… (meer)