The Hawk Told Me: A Native American Interpretation on the Rock Carvings on Minnesota's Red Rock Ridge

This narrative about learning some of the meanings of ancient Native American rock carvings from elders and a hawk is an excellent beginning to understand the carving's complex and layered implications. The elders who have been my teachers for twenty-two years taught me at the beginning that to understand the meaning of rock carvings would take years, that I would have to learn traditional ways, and most of my education would come through experiences from all that was around me (nature). Although I wrote this book for the general adult public, Chapter 1 contains a standalone story where children and adults learn about a mother hawk and her children. This story also serves as a Native American introductory experience to the adult sections of the book. I made the text large in Chapter 1 to ease its reading to children on your lap while they follow along with the photographs. Young adults and older adults explore Chapter 2 to deepen their understanding of the hawk's lesson, Native American ways of being, and ancient rock carvings. Chapter 3 records the things that motivated and inspired me on this journey. The documents and books listed in the bibliography contain detailed discussions of the Red Rock Ridge. I took the photos of the hawk as these events happened.