This deep story about the fate of a turtle carving made by someone from the Delaware tribe that had been lost in the mists of history and then recovered, refurbished and put on display at the New York Botanical Garden, features illustrations by Barry Moser and the deft writerly touch of Sheila Macgill-Callahan. Barry Moser is primarily known as a wood engraver whose prints enliven everything from Alice in Wonderland to the Bible. For “And Still the Turtle Watched,” he makes a rare foray into painting. Macgill-Callahan is known for writing modern fairytales and fables that tap into specific cultural sensitivities and issues. As an outdoor educator I draw heavily on Native American traditions, stories and funds of knowledge in learning about, teaching about, and connecting with the natural world. I am also leery about too easy or facile an appropriation of Native American culture for narrow ideological and educational purposes and interests. As teachers and caretakers of children, and champions of progressive educational traditions, we must be careful and judicious in the stories and texts we share with children and the contexts within which we situate them. Rather than make universal pronouncements about what is acceptable or unacceptable, we need to collaborate on how to stitch together a truly multi-cultural society that respects and takes care of the earth and embraces diversity and democracy. This is a good story that can spark interesting, important conversations about how people take care of, or don’t take care of, the earth, while at the same time outlining an important, controversial arc of American history. Enjoy!
