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Goodbye, My Island

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Review by Linda Green

Goodbye, My Island
By Jean Rogers

31. Does Native terms for people of certain area fit all?
Page 7 Vicky (non-Native teenage friend) says "Its just silly, were all Eskimos and where we come from doesn't matter".
I thought King Islanders were a special group.

32. Howa re the pictures illustrated?
Pictures are not illustrated well. There are pictures of puffins or pelicans which are not from the northern area. All the people look the same, cute, round faced, but they reminded me of Hawaiians or something. Also pictures of the Native people of the area crab fishing (Are there crabs in the North?)

33. Language Usage:
Again the phrase, "all Eskimo's are the same" is not right.

34. Name Usage: Native names sound quite different from the normal?
Names of the Elders referred to are only Native names such as "Ooloranna,", and one of the students name is "Wooko"/. Ooloranna is spoken of with respect through out the book. The same goes with other elders referred to.

35. Is all the clothing the same?
Yes, all the clothing illustrated is the same.

36. Look for respect toward animals, land, other people.
The story is told by a Native teenager (maybe 13 years) and she gives much respect to her culture, and her people. Not much is talked about animals. But she makes the reader feel good about how she loves her life and that people see it differently but she loves her ways.

37. Is the continuity of the culture represented with values, morals, and an outgrowth of the past, connected to the future?
I think so, again because the story is from the perspective of a young native person from the area. She is the connection to the future, and things she learns from her parents and grandparents will always be done.

38. Are ceremonies described properly?
There are no ceremonies talked about in the book. The reference to Thanksgiving and Christmas are made, but they were fun things only.

39. Does the writer show any understanding of the relationship between material and non material aspects of life?
Because the story is from the young persons perspective it gives you a warm feeling because she feels so strongly about her people and her island.

40. Do white authority figures know better than the Native people themselves what is good for them/
No, they are mostly a "sideline", and some things they do are referred to as "funny way" by the children.

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