Introduction and Chapter One, Chantways Summary and Analysis

The Scalpel and the Silver Bear is the story of a girl from a small town on a Navajo reservation who grew up to be a surgeon, Dr. Lori Arviso Alvord. It also focuses on how the ancient tribal practices of the Navajo can help expand the American medical system's ideal of healing. The first element of the story shows that great and surprising things are possible, the second indicates that there really is wisdom in Navajo healing practices.

Modern medicine has great technology but has lost that which heals best: relationships, lifestyle and community membership. Patients often feel forgotten and powerless; the physician dictates healing to the patient. Patients are made passive. But patients are then nothing more than a machine to be tweaked. Alvord learns this lesson by becoming as good...