Exploring Sweetgrass and its Cultural Significance

1. The book "Sweetgrass" transcends its title, delving into a plant that holds profound significance in First Nations' cultural practices. Investigate the historical and ongoing role of sweetgrass within these rich traditions.

Family Survival and Cultural Taboos

2. In a desperate bid to stave off starvation for her family, Sweetgrass defied cultural norms by providing fish—a food considered taboo. Her daring act of sustenance led to the survival of some family members. Engage in a debate centered around this premise: Be it resolved that the end justifies the means, exploring the moral implications of her life-saving actions.

A Glimpse into 19th Century Blackfoot Life

3. "Grandmother undid the laces of the baby's carrying bag. The baby made a face at her own bad stink. She really needed her moss changed." This vivid excerpt is one of many in Hudson's "Sweetgrass" that paints a picture of Blackfoot life in the early 1800s. Dive into research on traditional Blackfoot customs, examining aspects like their cuisine, attire, modes of travel, housing, and social structures.

The Nuances of Blackfoot Naming Traditions

4. In Blackfoot society, individuals bore at least two names—a childhood name and an adult name. For instance, Sweetgrass's grandmother, She Fought Them Woman, often calls her son, Shabby Bull, by his childhood moniker, Sobbing in the Night. Reflect on the origins of your own names and any nicknames within your family.

The Art of Simile in "Sweetgrass"

5. Jan Hudson deftly employs similes to enrich her writing. Defined by Merriam-Webster's Collegiate Dictionary as "a figure of speech comparing two unlike things, often introduced by 'like' or 'as,'" similes in "Sweetgrass" help readers connect with the narrative. As Sweetgrass muses, "Our lives seemed fixed as in a beaded design or the roundness of an old tale told on winter nights." Reimagine these similes to better reflect your own surroundings, and discover more within the text to adapt similarly.

Impact of New Technologies on Blackfoot Society

6. Sweetgrass recalls her grandmother's words: "Grandmother says it's bad times for women now, not so much for men. Back in the dog days when my grandmother's grandmother was a girl, that was a good time. Then sometime later we got horses from the south tribes and guns from the Cree in the north." Her grandmother hints at the detrimental effects these new "technologies"—horses and guns—imposed on their people. Hudson further explores these themes in "Dawn Rider."

Generational Conflict Over New Technologies

7. "Dawn Rider" also portrays the clash between the Blackfoot youth, eager to embrace new "technologies," and the elders who worry about their adverse effects. Reflect on today’s technological advancements, like cloning or genetically modified foods, which spark similar debates between generations. Analyze the potential benefits and drawbacks of one such modern innovation.

Understanding Smallpox: Past and Present

8. Delve into the history and current status of smallpox, examining its impact through the ages and its relevance in today's world.