Corn is maize : the gift of the Indians by In the interest of study and interrogation through preservation, books such as, Corn is maize: the gift of the Indians, originally published in 1976, will not be sought after, nor will they be removed from the collection. Author Aliki details the discovery, evolution and adaptation of corn over centuries by several first nations communities. The book is described by Kirkus Reviews, after its first printing, in these terms, “Aliki depicts the young farmers and feasters, both ancient and modern, as native Americans, and she conveys the central place of corn in the Indians' lives in telling pictures of the gods and festivals it inspired, a few sustaining words about the celebrants' praise and dependence, and no unfortified filler.” (Corn is Maize, 1976, para. 1)
If questions arise over the problematic use of the term “Indian” or if a sense of discomfort surfaces surrounding the depiction of the folkloric first “Thanksgiving” between “Indians” and “pilgrims” these are opportunities for dialogue, study and thoughtful reflection rather than anger, prejudice and calls for the removal of Aliki’s book from the collection. Indeed, entering into these questions and associated areas of discomfort may serve as avenues of exploration for the curious minded.