"This volume edited by Hausdoerffer, Hecht, Nelson, and Cummings incorporates the work of 47 contributors addressing the urgent and central concern of establishing spiritual, social, and ecological continuity in this uncertain age. Employing diverse textual strategies and genres, including essays, ethnographic interviews, and poems, these authors are intent on communicating the understanding and reactions of indigenous people to the problem of providing guidance to future generations. Arguing that the world is currently in the throes of an ecological, economic, and political crisis, this study invites readers to seek essential new wisdom by exploring the traditional wisdom of indigenous ancestors, so as to embrace the role of "ancestor" in the present. . . .Highly recommended."
What Kind of Ancestor Do You Want to Be? explores the challenge of climate disruption and ecological disaster through poems, essays and interviews. By offering diverse responses from a worldly selection of multicultural voices, the book provokes examination and inspiration. At the same time, the collection delivers no easy answers. Instead, the responses are personal and detailed, thick with values and reflection."
"A wonderfully unclassifiable book, What Kind of Ancestor Do You Want to Be? challenges us to live not just for tomorrow, or for our children, but for many generations in the future. Featuring interviews with and essays by thinkers from across social disciplinesanthropologists, environmental activists, Indigenous leaders, sociologists, and more."
"This compendium of poems, essays, and dialogues contains the voices of a range of writers and speakers from widely disparate cultures, traditions, and ethnicities, speaking out as they grapple with this question. The question itself causes one to pause, containing, as it does, an implicit instruction to consider one’s own ancestors and their/our relationship with the future. Who were they and what has their impact been upon ourselves and the world? How should or might we, ourselves, carry their influence into the future, while adding the work of our own lives to that stream?"
The questions this book raises are of such staggering importance and relevance today. I cried. I laughed. I smiled. Many reading moments, beautiful or tragic or just deeply human, are difficult to forget.
What Kind of Ancestor Do You Want to Be? captures the deep dialogue, continuity, and resonance Indigenous peoples feel and espouse for ancestors, ourselves, our childrenwith a view for the now and for our very uncertain future. And yet, its audience is at once Indigenous and Universal. Weaving poetry, narrative, interview, essay, and spirit, it is a unique, landmark tapestry. Utterly timely and profoundly urgent.
04/02/2021
Consisting of a stunning array of essays, poems, and interviews, this collection makes the case that the actions and perspectives of a single person can have a ripple effect across generations of people and nature. Editors Hausdoerffer (Sch. of Environment & Sustainability, Western Colorado Univ.), Hecht (president, Ctr. for Humans and Nature), Nelson (professor of Indigenous sustainability, Arizona State Univ.), and Cummings (managing ed., Ctr. for Humans and Nature) bring together writers, scholars, activists, and more. The volume's works have a unifying message of environmental responsibility, community-driven ethics, and connecting the past to the future for the good of the present. The book's title asks a question that has permeated all of human history, with concepts relatable to people from diverse backgrounds. Highlights include poetry by Frances H. Kakugawa and Elizabeth Herron, as well as an interview with Wendell Berry about how he became involved in environmental activism. Throughout, the book reminds readers that being a memorable ancestor depends on one's impact and ability to understand the wisdom of previous generations. VERDICT Recommended for readers interested in environmentalism, anthropology, sociology, history, philosophy, and Indigenous peoples in the U.S.—Monique Martinez, Univ. of North Georgia Lib., Dahlonega