More Resources and References for 2009 Spirituality Track
In keeping with this year's theme, the Spirituality Track is going into uncharted territory. We're tracking Bigfoot, we're poking at bear mythology, and we're investigating the very roots of mythology and its connection to th fandom.
I'd have had these resources listed earlier but...well...the books were very hard to obtain and many of them are out of print. That said, here's more of the list:
Bears: a Brief History by Bernd Brunner
An illustrated history of the relationship between man and bears which spans several global cultures
Bigfoot! The True Story of Apes in America by Loren Coleman
Hold your skepticism and be prepared to shove aside everything you thought you knew. This book gives a comprehensive overview of the myths traded orally among the peoples of the Pacific Northwest and then dwelves into modern sightings. The author covers both possible sightings and obvious hoaxes and consults a variety of experts, some of which are in no way affiliated with cryptozoology.
Bear-ology by Silvia Dolson
A fascinating compiliation of bear myths, tales, facts, and trivia. Just how much do you think you know about these furry forest dwellers and how much of it is myth based?
Raven's Villiage: The Myths, Arts, and Traditions of Native People from the Pacific Northwest Coast by Nancy Ruddell
A small clothbound book which recounts stories as told on the totem poles found in Raven Villiage, a cultural exhibition in Canada representing six separate tribes.
Heroes & Heroines: Tlingit-Haida Legend by Mary L Beck
A re-telling of oral legends collected from two Pacific Northwest tribes. The book compares similarities in the legends to classic Greek and Roman mythology.
The Wolf and the Raven: Totem Poles of Southeastern Alaska by Viola E. Garfield and Linn A. Forrest
An examination of the symbology used on the totem poles and re-telling of the stories represented.
Tlingit Tales by Lorie K. Harris
A special collection of stories dictated by a Tlingit tribe member while hospitalized. The stories cover such subjects as the reason for a potlatch and the formation of totem pole.
The Field Guide to Bigfoot and Other Mystery Primates by Loren Coleman and Patrick Huyghe
This guide attempts to classify the unidentified animals according to a variety of criteria based on zoological facts taken from validated encounters. Classification criteria include footprints, hair, behavior, ecological range, and physical descriptions.
Moose by Kevin Jackson
This book recounts world-wide mythology about the moose as well as describing the animal's habits, habitat, and spiritual traits.
We are still waiting for a few book shipments. I will list those as they come in. All of these can be found on Amazon but shipping time varies from a few days to weeks. Should you wish to follow along with your own copy or contribute to our discussions, we would welcome you. Please, share what you know! We don't enjoy being talking heads.