Saskatchewan author-
Joan Soggie
Looking for Aiktow
Stories Behind the History of the Elbow of the South Saskatchewan River
"First was the land. Then came the people. Elbow's history grows out of its location." Just as the water of the Aiktow still flows unseen through the lake, a current from events long past still flows through life here today.
From the earliest people who first flaked their spear points from the rock and formed their cooking pots from the clay along the banks of the South Saskatchewan River more than 4,000 years ago, to the people who launched their kayaks into the waters of Lake Diefenbaker in 2013, this book traces the history and the impact of people who travelled through and sometimes settled in this increasingly popular area.The look is both personal and up-close, inviting the reader to come along and "see" what others saw before them.
READER REVIEWS OF LOOKING FOR AIKTOW
“This small book presents the sort of plains history I particularly appreciate: a consideration of the scope of historical events and prominent personalities as they relate to one defined geographical area.”
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Dr. David Meyer, Department of Archaeology and Anthropology, University of Saskatchewan Saskatchewan Archaeological Society Newsletter
“With entertaining, thought-provoking stories … Looking for Aiktow might be the perfect companion on your book shelf alongside any other book that touches on [ western] history.”
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Derek Ruttle, The Outlook
“Soggie's book is unique among local histories because it tells the pre-settlement story in detail and provides a bird's eye view of developments since then. Soggie sees the area through archaeological, geographical, and ecological eyes. She obviously has expertise in these areas, and cares about them deeply. Her caring attitude comes through on every page, as does her attention to research. Extensive end notes and a bibliography are found at the end of her 123-page paperback.”
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Elma Martens Schemenauer, author of over 75 books
“The stories – indeed, the mysteries – of this famous locale of the major river that flows through the Canadian prairies are skilfully re-told and explored in Looking for Aiktow …”
Tim Jones, former executive director of the Saskatchewan Archaeological Society
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