"Walking Softly is the reflective and poetic woodland voice of the Lake Superior region, lifting up like in an honor song. Red Cliff tribal elder and protagonist Edward James Bainbridge and the truths of the Ashinanaabeg are revealed with clarity, compassion, and humor- as the old man points out," the pain was so bad, my laughter could be heard for miles."
 
Still, the author handles traumatic events and resounding tragedies in the novel with an honest and quiet regard. This novel reminds us time and again to walk softly upon this beloved Akii-"for there's something sacred going on out there,"- Denise Sweet.