We Who Walk the Seven Ways is Terra Trevors memoir about seeking healing and finding belonging through Indigenous ways, featuring the guidance of Native women elders. It explores the power of friendship, loss, reconciliation, and richness in every stage of life.

Format: Paperback / softback
Length: 230 pages
Publication date: 01 May 2023
Publisher: University of Nebraska Press

We Who Walk the Seven Ways is Terra Trevors memoir about seeking healing and finding belonging. After enduring a difficult loss, a circle of Native women elders embraced and guided Trevor (Cherokee, Lenape, Seneca, and German) through the seven cycles of life in Indigenous ways. Over three decades, these women lifted Trevor from grief, instructed her in living, and showed her how to age from youth into beauty. With tender honesty, Trevor explores how every end is always a beginning. Her reflections on the deep power of women's friendship, losing a child, reconciling complicated roots, and finding richness in every stage of life show that being an American Indian with a complex lineage is not about being part of something, but about being part of something.

We Who Walk the Seven Ways

Terra Trevor's memoir, "We Who Walk the Seven Ways," is a powerful exploration of healing and belonging. After experiencing a profound loss, Trevor was embraced by a circle of Native women elders who guided her through the seven cycles of life in Indigenous ways. Over three decades, these women provided Trevor with solace, taught her valuable life lessons, and helped her embrace the beauty of aging. Trevor's memoir is a testament to the resilience and strength of women's friendship, the power of overcoming loss, and the importance of reconciling complicated roots. Through her reflections, Trevor reveals that being an American Indian with a complex lineage is not about fitting into a particular group but about finding a sense of belonging within a larger community.

The Seven Cycles of Life

Trevor's journey began with a difficult loss that left her feeling lost and alone. She sought solace in the company of Native women elders who shared her cultural heritage. These women, representing different Indigenous tribes, embraced Trevor and guided her through the seven cycles of life in Indigenous ways. These cycles include birth, childhood, youth, adulthood, parenthood, and elderhood. Each cycle is associated with specific teachings and rituals that help individuals navigate the challenges and opportunities of life.

The Power of Women's Friendship

One of the most significant themes in Trevor's memoir is the power of women's friendship. She describes how these women provided her with a sense of belonging and support during her darkest moments. They listened to her stories, offered advice, and helped her find meaning in her experiences. Trevor's friendship with these women was a lifeline, and she credits them for her ability to heal and grow.

Losing a Child

Another significant theme in Trevor's memoir is the loss of a child. She describes the pain and grief she experienced after losing her son, and how she struggled to find meaning in her life. Through her journey, Trevor learned that grief is a natural and necessary part of the healing process. She also discovered that her son's spirit continued to guide her and provide her with strength and courage.

Reconciling Complicated Roots

Trevor's memoir also explores the challenges of reconciling complicated roots. She describes how her family's history was filled with conflict and trauma, and how she struggled to find a sense of belonging within her own family. Through her journey, Trevor learned to embrace her family's history and use it as a source of strength and resilience. She also discovered that her family's traditions and values were still relevant and valuable in her life.

Finding Richness in Every Stage of Life

Despite the challenges and losses Trevor experienced, she also found richness in every stage of life. She describes how she learned to appreciate the beauty of each season, the joy of spending time with loved ones, and the importance of living in the present moment. Trevor's memoir is a testament to the fact that life is a journey of growth and transformation, and that every experience, whether positive or negative, can contribute to our personal growth and development.

Conclusion

In conclusion, Terra Trevor's memoir, "We Who Walk the Seven Ways," is a powerful and inspiring exploration of healing and belonging. Through her journey, Trevor learned that every end is always a beginning, that women's friendship is a source of strength and support, that losing a child is a natural and necessary part of the healing process, that reconciling complicated roots is possible, and that finding richness in every stage of life is essential. Trevor's memoir is a testament to the resilience and strength of women's friendship, the power of overcoming loss, and the importance of finding a sense of belonging within a larger community.

Weight: 312g
Dimension: 139 x 216 x 16 (mm)
ISBN-13: 9781496235183