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This test consists of 5 short answer questions, 10 short essay questions, and 1 (of 3) essay topics.

Short Answer Questions

1. When does the author describe "a tsunami of disease" sweeping the Oregon coast in "Burning Cascade Head" (293)?

2. What adjective refers to the instance when an organism's water content changes with the moisture in the surrounding environment?

3. Who taught Nanabozho to make an ax, according to the narrative in "In the Footsteps of Nanabozho: Becoming Indigenous to Place"?

4. Where was the Carlisle Indian Industrial School located?

5. According to the beliefs of the author's people, what does East represent?

Short Essay Questions

1. Who did Nanabozho meet when he traveled to the West?

2. Who is the basket maker featured in "Wisgaak Gokpenagen: A Black Ash Basket"? How is he described?

3. Why do polycultures often succeed above monocultures?

4. Under what types of conditions do black ash trees grow?

5. What is an ideal black ash tree for harvesting for basket making?

6. What findings did Laurie's thesis produce in “Mishkos Kenomagwen: The Teachings of Grass”?

7. Why is it important to understand that the earth loves people, according to the author in “Epiphany in the Beans”?

8. What reassured the author as her field trip with her students concluded in “The Sound of Silverbells”?

9. What uses for cattails did the author teach her students in “Sitting in a Circle"?

10. What are growth rings in trees and how are they formed?

Essay Topics

Write an essay for ONE of the following topics:

Essay Topic 1

Describe and discuss the stories of Nanabozho from Braiding Sweetgrass. Who is Nanabozho? What morals are gleaned from his stories? What does Nanabozho represent to the author's people and how is he seen today?

Essay Topic 2

Discuss the meaning of gifts in Native American culture. How was this concept misinterpreted by white settlers in the New World? How do gift economies differ from market economies? How can we go about reconciling the two?

Essay Topic 3

Analyze and discuss the narrative style of Braiding Sweetgrass. From what perspective are the essays related? How would you describe the style of writing of the work? Why is narrative style important in a work such as this?

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