FROM THE BACK OF THE BOOK: "Extraordinary observations of the Yakima Shaman from 1872-1882 by a medical doctor and first-hand accounts by shamans or their patients early in this century [1903-1944]...This..volume on the Yakima Shaman gives a unique view of Yakima traditional Indian culture and life."

It certainly does all of that and it does it in the words of the shaman themselves. One man saw fit to record the history of the Yakima to the best of his ability, in their own words, before the culture had been permanently eradicated by the european settlers that had pushed them onto the reservation. The recordings of the medical doctor are intense to read because you can just feel his lack of regard for their belief system. The first-hand accounts recorded by another man are amazing. He has faithfully recorded the stories, beliefs and activities of the Yakima with no interference of his own belief system. It's a must have book for anyone interested in Northwest Native American culture or Shaman practices. Has some photographs. ( )