How is the novel, I Heard the Owl Call My Name, relevant to our society?

At the time this book was written it was widely believed that native cultures were dying out and that nothing could be done to change the trend. The American Indian Movement had not gained momentum in working to reverse the trend, and many people believed that the Indians would be better off becoming part of the white culture. This book reveals the many things that would be lost should that occur. There is a distinct contrast drawn between the white culture where money and self-preservation rules and the native culture where community takes precedence and people try to help each other. When a family has something to celebrate they hold a potlatch and give presents away, rather than expecting to receive gifts.

The novel highlights the rich and complex nature of the native culture at risk of being lost. The coastal tribes have a long history of carving totem poles to record important gods and other aspects of their lives, such as the Cedar Man that forms the base of the totem in Kingcome. The large dance masks also reflect this carving skill, allowing the dancers to actually take on the characters in the stories such as the hamatsa. The dances themselves reflect many generations of oral tradition where the legends and stories are illustrated and passed on to the young. This method of teaching tribal tradition is common in many native cultures around the world where there is no written language.