"Renewal is a foundational paradigm in the Blackfoot thought world. Renewal teaches us that we humans live in a very narrow spectrum of ideal conditions for our existence. Changing those ideal conditions may mean the disappearance of Homo sapiens, not unlike the disappearance of our Neanderthal relatives. Consequently, in Blackfoot thought we have to maintain those conditions that make for our existence if we want to survive far into the future. What can Bears teach us? Bears are generalists who help to maintain and renew those conditions that make for our continuing survival. This book, What Bears Teach Us , is a fantastic teaching resource about what we can learn from 'all my relations,' and in this case the Bear, about the environment and ecological balance that will bring about ideal conditions for our continuing survival."-- Leroy Little Bear, Blackfoot researcher and professor emeritus at the University of Lethbridge "John Marriott and Sarah Elmeligi have teamed up on a great guide to the inner life of bears as they eke out an existence in our increasingly human-dominated world. The photographs of bears in the wild and on our streets are remarkable, and Sarah's essay explores the nuances of bear behavior and the need for us humans to better understand how we interact with these largely harmless bruins.

A great gift for anyone who lives or recreates in bear country."-- Jeff Gailus, award-winning environmental journalist, adjunct professor at the University of Montana and author of The Grizzly Manifesto "We can all learn from the wisdom of bears. Our ancestors knew this, like Native peoples today. Sarah Elmeligi and John Marriott show us, in gorgeous photos and engaging words, the wisdom that scientists have gathered about bears. 'Managing bears is about managing people.' The book guides us in learning how to coexist safely, instead of risking both human and bear lives. Both educational and inspirational, this is a book to cozy up with! As more of these amazing creatures are finding their way through my neighborhood, I'm planning to get a few extra copies for my friends."-- Darcia Narvaez, professor emerita of psychology, author of Neurobiology and the Development of Human Morality: Evolution, Culture, and Wisdom.