Shortlisted, Saskatchewan Book Awards, Indigenous Peoples’ Writing, 2020
Shortlisted, Saskatchewan Book Awards, Indigenous Peoples’ Publishing, 2020
Shortlisted, Saskatchewan Book Awards, Non-fiction, 2020
Shortlisted, Saskatchewan Book Awards, Regina Book Award, 2020

The follow-up to his award-winning book The Knowledge Seeker, Blair Stonechild’s Loss of Indigenous Eden and the Fall of Spirituality continues to explore the Indigenous spiritual teachings passed down to the author by Elders, examining their relevance in today’s world. Exploring how the rise of civilization has been antithetical to the relational philosophy of Indigenous thinking—whereby all things are interrelated and in need of care and respect—Stonechild demonstrates how the current global ideology of human dominance, economic growth, and technological progress has resulted in all-consuming and destructive appetites that are damaging relationships between humans and the natural world. Most troubling is the loss of respect for spirituality so fundamental to Indigenous stability. There must be international reconciliation with Indigenous Peoples, their culture and spirituality, Stonechild insists, if humanity itself is to survive.

Blair Stonechild is a Cree-Saulteaux member of the Muscowpetung First Nation and professor of Indigenous Studies at First Nations University of Canada. He is the author of The Knowledge Seeker: Embracing Indigenous Spirituality and Buffy Sainte-Marie: It’s My Way. He lives in Regina, Saskatchewan.

Blair A. Stonechild's profile page

• Short-listed, Saskatchewan Book Awards, Non-fiction
• Short-listed, Saskatchewan Book Awards, Indigenous Peoples’ Publishing
• Short-listed, Saskatchewan Book Awards, Regina Book Award
• Short-listed, Saskatchewan Book Awards, Indigenous Peoples’ Writing

"Loss of Indigenous Eden contains, in writing, an enormous amount of Indigenous wisdom that traditionally was hard to come by. It allowed me to connect the dots of my experiences with Indigenous Knowledge Keepers, rituals, and ceremonies, and I am immensely grateful to the author for this. I trust that other readers will be equally impressed." —Peace Research

"This book is for today’s Canada, and anyone interested in engaging in reconciliation. It is not an easy read, but it is a necessary read." —Comparative and International Education

"Stonechild continues the mandate given by his Elders to share some of their teachings and is one of the few Indigenous scholars addressing the topic of spirituality while critiquing the non-Indigenous world view that has separated us from our relationship with the natural world and natural laws." —University of Toronto Quarterly

“This tome needs to be read by everyone for the benefit of the Earth.” —Antonia Mills, author of Amerindian Rebirth

“Stonechild has appeared with his writings to consider the spirituality of the Indigenous a key in finding a true path for humanity.” —Elder Dave Courchene, Turtle Lodge International Centre for Indigenous Education and Wellness

“[A] great scholarly contribution to our knowledge of the history of Indigenous spirituality....These chapters completely rewrite the histories of ‘civilizations’ of religion and the nation states. They do so with great imagination and originality.” —David McNab, author of No Place for Fairness

“Provocative and compelling, [Stonechild] offers deep historical insight into the colonialist legacies persisting within contemporary society, illuminating how the enduring values of Indigenous spirituality can provide meaningful paths toward healing and reconciliation.” —Jesse Rae Archibald-Barber, editor of kisiskâciwan

“It is thought-provoking, philosophical, informative, and celebrates the resilience and strength of Indigenous spirituality and our relationships to the sacred.” —Kathleen E. Absolon-King, author of Kaandossiwin