Anton Treuer on language revitalization and the Rosetta Stone
By Brad Hagen I dial the number sent to my phone. It rings maybe two times. “Hello,” says a rather cheerful voice, “This is Anton Treuer.” I stumble through a brief introduction and ask him if it would be alright that we conduct this interview over Zoom, to which he agrees. Treuer’s face blinks onto […]
The true value of a seed bundle
By Deborah Locke “The Seed Keeper” by Diane Wilson (Mdewakanton Dakota) shows the way seeds are the foundation of every living thing and hold the world together. Cherish them, protect them, nurture them and they will nurture you and the generations to come. In her first work of fiction, Wilson tells the story of four […]
Books encourage resilience and confidence when facing adversity
By Deborah Locke Two children’s books aimed at different age groups encourage resilience and confidence when facing adversity. In each book, American Indian parents play key roles in supporting their children, and preparing them for an adulthood where they can flourish. The books are “The Range Eternal” by Louise Erdrich (University of Minnesota Press, Oct. […]
Children’s books teach, entertain and inspire
Review by Deborah Locke “The First Fire: a Cherokee Story” is a children’s picture book about the introduction of fire to the animals of the earth, thanks to a spunky female spider. The illustrations are cute, the plot moves to a fairly predictable end, and the moral of the story rings true: no matter who […]
McKnight Foundation names Rendon Distinguished Artist of the year
By Marianne Combs/MPR News The McKnight Foundation has chosen author Marcie Rendon to receive its 2020 Distinguished Artist Award. The annual award recognizes a Minnesota artist who has made significant contributions to the state’s cultural life. Rendon, an enrolled member of White Earth Ojibwe Nation, is the first Native American woman to receive the award […]
For Joshua: An Ojibwe Father Teaches His Son, is a remarkable memoir
Review by Deborah Locke The late Richard Wagamese knew that liquor “owned him” and that as a drunk, he was unfit to raise his baby boy. The baby’s mother left with the baby to protect her son from his father’s alcoholic binges. Years passed; Wagamese became sober. He knew it was his responsibility as an […]
The Tao of Nookomis: skilled at featuring Indians you know or are
By Deborah Locke The Tao of Nookomis by Thomas D Peacock Illustrated by Rabbett Before Horses Strickland Black Bears and Blueberries Publishing January 2020 (second edition) 212 pages Award-winning writer Thomas D. Peacock’s book “The Tao of Nookomis” consists of short stories that feature people you already know. The stories often sound like those you […]
“Manifesto” fiercely explains why you need your native language
Review by Deborah Locke The Language Warrior’s Manifesto: How to Keep Our Languages Alive No Matter the Odds Minnesota Historical Society Press January 28, 2020 208 pages You may start Anton Treuer’s “The Language Warrior’s Manifesto” with a dab of curiosity. You’ll finish the book spurred with at the very least, dismay that you haven’t […]
‘I’ve never told anyone’: Stories of life in Indian boarding schools
By Dan Gunderson/MPR News Denise Lajimodiere’s interest in the Indian boarding school experience began with the stories of her parents. “Mama was made to kneel on a broomstick for not speaking English, locked in closets for not speaking English,” she said. “They would pee their pants and then the nuns would take them out [of the closet] and beat […]
The hardest kind of mothering: miscarriage and infant death
Review by Deborah Locke “What God Is Honored Here?” features stories from women of color who experienced miscarriage and the death of their infants. To say the book is heartfelt and heartbreaking is an understatement. Strength and love prevail in these essays of life and death. After so many accounts of pregnancies gone wrong, the […]
Books teach importance of resilience, and kindness to animals
Reviews by Deborah Locke The Dancers A new children’s book, “The Dancers” by Thomas Peacock could be subtitled “Dancing With Your Heart.” The story is narrated by a little girl who tells the story of her auntie, an ogichidaquay (female warrior) who joins the Army. The auntie, deployed overseas, loses her legs when a truck […]
“Indian Horse” will bring understanding and compassion to your heart
Review by Deborah Locke Indian Horse: A Novel By Richard Wagamese Milkweed Editions Publication: April 10, 2018 240 pages “Indian Horse” is a pretty rare book in that it gives a vivid picture of old time traditional Ojibwe life that included strong family and clan ties, hunting and gathering, traditional ceremonies, and storytelling. All of these […]