Rediscovering Turtle Island: A First Peoples' Account of the Sacred Geography of America
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This compelling work invites readers to fundamentally reconsider North American history and spirituality. Drawing on a rich tapestry of Indigenous oral traditions, historical accounts, and personal insights, Taylor Keen presents a profound re-imagining of the continent's ancient cultures. The book unveils shared cosmological beliefs across diverse Native nations, meticulously reconstructs the grandeur of the Mississippian Mound Builder Empire at Cahokia, and courageously re-examines foundational American narratives like Manifest Destiny from an essential First Peoples' perspective. It's a vital journey into the enduring spirit of Turtle Island.
Praise for this book
“Brother Keen, with his infinite Indigenous and academic knowledge, brings forth amazing truths about ancient North American cultures the modern world was unaware of. Not only are the ancient earthworks extensive and scientifically and astronomically complex, but Keen unveils they are all connected across the entire continent mirroring the heavens. Simply incredible research.”
📝 Description: Rediscovering Turtle Island: A First Peoples' Account of the Sacred Geography of America
📑 What's inside
- ForewordBy Charles C. Mann
- Preface
- 1 Cosmogenesis
- The Earth Diver Mythos, an Ancient
- Creation Cosmology
- 2 An Island in the East
- A Comparative Analysis of an Indigenous Atlantis
- 3 The Founders' Dilemma of America
- A First Peoples' Historical Perspective of America
- 4 Living Red
- An Indigenous Philosophy on Living in Harmony
- with Earth Mother
- 5 Pahuk
- Sacred Geography in Nebraska
- 6 Mother Corn, Mother Earth
- Rediscovering a Sacred Tribal Feminine Tradition
- 7 Cahokia
- The Rise and Fall of an Indigenous Empire
- 8 As Above, So Below
- Archaeoastronomy of the Earthen Works
- and the Journey of the Souls
- 9 Ten Thousand Years Ago and Beyond
- The Antiquity of Indigenous Peoples in America
- Notes Bibliography Index
💎 Expert review
📖 Why choose it
Why this book is worth reading
Readers seeking a profound shift in perspective will find immense value in this text. It is ideal for those interested in Indigenous wisdom, sacred geography, and the complex history of Turtle Island. By unveiling shared cosmological beliefs and reconstructing the grandeur of Cahokia, the book offers a vital corrective to foundational American narratives like Manifest Destiny. It appeals to spiritual seekers and historians alike who wish to understand the enduring spirit of Native nations through their own vibrant lens.
⭐ Reader reviews
Reader rating
Keen’s work is a compelling re-imagining of North American history, meticulously drawing on oral traditions to reconstruct ancient cultures. However, readers expecting dry academic historiography or detached scientific analysis may find its spiritual and narrative approach too subjective. It is not suited for those committed to traditional colonial viewpoints or those unwilling to engage with Indigenous epistemologies as valid historical frameworks. The book demands an openness to First Peoples' perspectives, making it less accessible to skeptics of oral tradition but deeply rewarding for those ready to reconsider the continent's spiritual and cultural landscape.
❓ Frequently asked questions
📖 Who should read this
If you seek a profound re-education on North America's true origins, a deeper understanding of Indigenous spirituality and ancient civilizations, or a courageous challenge to dominant historical narratives, this book is an indispensable guide for your journey into hidden knowledge.
🎯 Key themes and symbolism
Indigenous Sacred Geography
The book meticulously unpacks the concept of North America as 'Turtle Island,' revealing how Indigenous cosmology imbues the land with profound spiritual significance. It shows how creation myths and legends across various tribes, including the Algonquin and Sioux, share common threads, illustrating a deeply interconnected understanding of the continent's sacred landscape and its living history.
Pre-Colonial Civilizations Unveiled
Through the voice of a fictional leader, Honga, the narrative vividly reconstructs the history and societal complexity of Cahokia, the sophisticated Mississippian Mound Builder Empire (1050-1300 CE). This exploration challenges conventional timelines, demonstrating advanced urban planning, spiritual practices, and trade networks that flourished long before European contact, highlighting a vibrant, complex pre-colonial America.
Decolonizing American History
Keen provides a powerful counter-narrative to Eurocentric historical accounts, offering a critical Indigenous revision of figures like Thomas Jefferson and the ideologies of expansionism and Manifest Destiny. By centering Native perspectives, the book exposes the profound impact of these doctrines on Indigenous peoples and reshapes our understanding of America's foundational narratives and territorial claims.
📜 Historical context
📚 Glossary
- Turtle Island
- Cahokia
- Manifest Destiny (Indigenous Perspective)
📔 Questions to reflect on
- How does understanding 'Turtle Island' as a sacred, ancient entity shift your perception of American geography and national identity?
- What implications does the history of Cahokia and other advanced pre-colonial civilizations have for your understanding of human progress and societal complexity?
- Reflect on how a decolonized perspective of figures like Thomas Jefferson or concepts like Manifest Destiny challenges your previously held historical narratives.
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