Before getting into specifics, I want to express that I am not Indigenous or a member of any Tribe. Any definitions or explanations touched on are that of Randy and Edith Woodley. If anyone is interested in reading books, articles, blog posts, etc. about Native Americans, read content that is written BY Native Americans.

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When I requested this book through NetGalley I didn't expect to find myself reading it at a time in my life that was suddenly more chaotic than usual, and I was in desperate need of some guidance. I am so thankful for this synchronicity. With therapy and medication, I've gotten better at managing the free fall of a depressive episode. But, as I've gotten older and have had to work through additional difficult experiences, it has become more difficult to re-center and move forward. I feel grateful to Randy and Edith for their willingness to share their wisdom and the foundational guidance and wisdom I received reading this book cannot be measured.
Randy Woodley is Cherokee and Edith Woodley is Eastern Shoshone. They're a married duo (team) of advocates and educators who share their journey as a couple as well as their individual Journey to Eloheh. In this process, they share Indigenous history, their individual backgrounds and how they began their journey towards Eloheh. Because Eloheh isn't a Western concept, Randy and Edith try to explain it in ways that maintain respect for the sanctity of Indigenous beliefs and practices while also being shared in a way that's accessible by non-Native folks.
Personally, I am grateful to Randy and Edith Woodley for their willingness to share Journey to Eloheh because I was positively impacted by what they had to share. This novel is very thought provoking and educational. With this in mind, I am very grateful for my everyday willingness and desire to learn so that I could be open to the content they very lovingly created and staunchly advocate for. It is my hope through this review that as many people as possible read this book and really take the time to enrich their spirit with this wisdom.

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Eloheh is a Cherokee word and is described by the authors as well-being. The meaning in the English language is difficult to capture and describe because there isn't an accurate translation that fully encompasses the essence of WHAT Eloheh is. The authors also refer to Eloheh as The Harmony Way. Randy and Edith explore some of the values that help guide someone towards Eloheh and do so in a way that draws from their own experiences to demonstrate the importance of following those values. They also demonstrate that it isn't an easy journey. Two paths are described- The Inside Path and The Outside Path. They won't be easy paths, but they are spiritually, emotionally and mentally rewarding and beneficial to yourself and your community.

This is a fascinating view of how we can live differently according to traditional Native American wisdom.

The Woodleys discussed the ten values, shared by many Indigenous peoples, they feel would help people create a balanced, sustainable life, away from the settler mindset. I felt like the format was not as effective in presenting the message. The first half was more memoir, while the last half were some anecdotes mixed with the principles. There are other books that have done this better.

I have been absorbing this book and trying to find the best way to describe Journey to Eloheh: How Indigenous Values Lead Us to Harmony and Well-Being. I highly recommend this book for those who feel like they are struggling with something in their own lives. Following, the Indigenous values there are other avenues to finding peace. It can be healing, and I think that is why I took me a while to write a review. The best way to sum up the book is it could be the start of healing.

The biggest difficulty for me with this book was it felt like a mislabel of genre. I went in expecting a “Seven Grandfathers” type experience and found myself in the middle of what felt more like a dual memoir. I was anticipating a description of each value using a story or anecdote from the authors’ lives, and illustrating how to apply it within our own. But I was halfway through the book before I realized that each chapter was discussing one of the ten values.

The chapter heading was a value, followed mostly by the authors’ family or personal histories, in which I would have to search for the relation to the titled value.

For me it just fell short in the application piece for the reader. As a Native reader, I value and actively seek out Native voices to help broaden and shift paradigms, but I felt like it needed a little more editing to help the reader use the principles in the book.

Journey to Eloheh is a transformative and enlightening read that introduces readers to ten Indigenous values essential for achieving true well-being and harmony. The authors, both deeply rooted in their Cherokee and Eastern Shoshone heritage, offer a holistic guide to living in balance with the Earth and each other. Through their personal journeys and the concept of Eloheh, they provide a roadmap for cultivating practices that promote respect, accountability, and sustainability. This book not only enhances your perspective but also offers practical ways to apply these timeless values to daily life.

This is a really good primer on Indigenous worldviews and how they differ from a Western one. Anyone who wants to learn more about Indigenous wisdom and ways of being should definitely check it out!