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Picture this...."rolling terrain, grotesquely eroded badlands, wind-scarred buttes, deeply trenched river valleys, numerous mountain groups and glacially created surfaces." It sounds like something a geologist would dream about but the beauty described in this passage is that of the North American Plains or Whoop Up Country as found in the book Whoop Up Country by Paul Sharp. In the book, Sharp depicts much more than just the visual beauty of the land but also the action that took place on the land in the years gone by...way back when. Then the land was more easily described as Blackfoot country or Fur Trade country or even a highly coveted Railway Destination. Through his depictions, Sharp gives his readers a great idea of what really went on in those days. Between the Indian nations, the white man society moving in and Canada trying to keep up appearances, it is quite an action packed read.

One aspect of the book I found rather interesting was the evolution of the Canadian/American relationship that occurred during this time period. Before the fur trade era, it seemed as though there were few ties between Canada and the United States. During the era, a sort of cooperation-like bond was formed between the two and then the railway came to these parts of the country and the two nations no longer needed each other. I always wondered why there isn't a closer bond between the U.S. & Canada. Finally at the very end Sharp is sure to point out that peace between the two nations is fitting.

An inquiry I have that Sharp brought to my attention is that of Indian medicine bags or "magic" as he describes. This aspect of the Native American culture has always interested me but I have heard little mention of it. I once saw a medicine bag pinned to the inside of a small Native American boy's shirt and tried to look closer at it but was told not to touch his medicine for it would mean bad luck for the boy for the rest of his life. This is almost as intriguing as Sharp's descriptions of Whoop Up Country! Can anyone give me any input on this?