Erdrich is one of the most gifted, prolific, and challenging of contemporary Native American novelists. Born in 1954 in Little Falls, Minnesota, she grew up mostly in Wahpeton, North Dakota, where her parents taught at Bureau of Indian Affairs schools. Her fiction reflects aspects of her mixed heritage: German through her father, and French and Ojibwa through her mother. She worked at various jobs, such as hoeing sugar beets, farm work, waitressing, short order cooking, lifeguarding, and construction work, before becoming a writer. She attended the Johns Hopkins creative writing program and received fellowships at the McDowell Colony and the Yaddo Colony. After she was named writer-in-residence at Dartmouth, she married professor Michael Dorris and raised several children, some of them adopted. She and Michael became a picture-book husband-and-wife writing team, though they wrote only one truly collaborative novel, The Crown of Columbus (1991).
The Antelope Wife was published in 1998, not long after her separation from Michael and his subsequent suicide. Some reviewers believed they saw in The Antelope Wife the anguish Erdrich must have felt as her marriage crumbled, but she has stated that she is unconscious of having mirrored any real-life events.
She is the author of four previous bestselling and award-winning novels, including Love Medicine; The Beet Queen; Tracks; and The Bingo Palace. She also has written two collections of poetry, Jacklight, and Baptism of Desire. Her fiction has been honored by the National Book Critics Circle (1984) and The Los Angeles Times (1985), and has been translated into fourteen languages.
Several of her short stories have been selected for O. Henry awards and for inclusion in the annual Best American Short Story anthologies. The Blue Jay's Dance, a memoir of motherhood, was her first nonfiction work, and her children's book, Grandmother's Pigeon, has been published by Hyperion Press. She lives in Minnesota with her children, who help her run a small independent bookstore called The Birchbark.
Thursday, August 2, 2007
Featured tribe - Caddo - Louisiana
According to tribal traditions the lower Red river of Louisiana was the early home of the Caddo, from which they spread to the northwest, and south. Several of the lakes and streams connected with this river bear Caddo names, as do some of the counties and some of the towns which cover ancient village sites.
Cabeza de-Vaca and his companions in 1535-36 traversed a portion of the territory occupied by the Caddo, and De Soto's expedition encountered some of the tribes of the confederacy in 1540-41, but the people did riot become known until they were met by La Salle and his followers in 1687. At that time the Caddo villages were scattered along Red river and its tributaries in what are now Louisiana and Arkansas, and also on the banks of the Sabine, Neches, Trinity, Brazos, and Colorado rivers in east Texas. The Caddo were not the only occupants of this wide territory; other confederacies belonging to the same linguistic family also resided there. There were also fragments of still older confederacies of the same family, some of which still maintained their separate existence, while others had joined the then powerful Hasinai. These various tribes and confederacies were alternately allies and enemies of the Caddo. The native population was so divided that at no time could it successfully resist the intruding white race. At an early date the Caddo obtained horses from the Spaniards through intermediate tribes; they learned to rear these animals, and traded with them as far north as Illinois River (Shea, Cath. Ch. in Col. Days, 559, 1855).
During the 18th century wars in Europe led to contention between the Spaniards and the French for the territory occupied by the Caddo. The brunt of these contentions fell upon the Indians; the trails between their villages became routes for armed forces, while the villages were transformed into garrisoned posts. The Caddo were friendly to the French and rendered valuable service, but they suffered greatly from contact with the white race. Tribal wars were fomented, villages were abandoned, new diseases spread havoc among the people, and by the close of the century the welcoming attitude of the Indians daring its early years had changed to one of defense and distrust. Several tribes were practically extinct, others seriously reduced in numbers, and a once thrifty and numerous people had become demoralized and were more or less wanderers in their native land. Franciscan missions had been established among some of the tribes early in the century, those designed for the Caddo, or Asinais, as they were called by the Spaniards, being Purísima Concepción de los Asinais and (for the Hainai) San Francisco de los Tejas (q. v. ). The segregation policy of the missionaries tended to weaken tribal relations and unfitted the people to cope with the new difficulties which confronted them.
Want to know more? Check out the official website: http://www.caddonation-nsn.gov/Main.htm
Cabeza de-Vaca and his companions in 1535-36 traversed a portion of the territory occupied by the Caddo, and De Soto's expedition encountered some of the tribes of the confederacy in 1540-41, but the people did riot become known until they were met by La Salle and his followers in 1687. At that time the Caddo villages were scattered along Red river and its tributaries in what are now Louisiana and Arkansas, and also on the banks of the Sabine, Neches, Trinity, Brazos, and Colorado rivers in east Texas. The Caddo were not the only occupants of this wide territory; other confederacies belonging to the same linguistic family also resided there. There were also fragments of still older confederacies of the same family, some of which still maintained their separate existence, while others had joined the then powerful Hasinai. These various tribes and confederacies were alternately allies and enemies of the Caddo. The native population was so divided that at no time could it successfully resist the intruding white race. At an early date the Caddo obtained horses from the Spaniards through intermediate tribes; they learned to rear these animals, and traded with them as far north as Illinois River (Shea, Cath. Ch. in Col. Days, 559, 1855).
During the 18th century wars in Europe led to contention between the Spaniards and the French for the territory occupied by the Caddo. The brunt of these contentions fell upon the Indians; the trails between their villages became routes for armed forces, while the villages were transformed into garrisoned posts. The Caddo were friendly to the French and rendered valuable service, but they suffered greatly from contact with the white race. Tribal wars were fomented, villages were abandoned, new diseases spread havoc among the people, and by the close of the century the welcoming attitude of the Indians daring its early years had changed to one of defense and distrust. Several tribes were practically extinct, others seriously reduced in numbers, and a once thrifty and numerous people had become demoralized and were more or less wanderers in their native land. Franciscan missions had been established among some of the tribes early in the century, those designed for the Caddo, or Asinais, as they were called by the Spaniards, being Purísima Concepción de los Asinais and (for the Hainai) San Francisco de los Tejas (q. v. ). The segregation policy of the missionaries tended to weaken tribal relations and unfitted the people to cope with the new difficulties which confronted them.
Want to know more? Check out the official website: http://www.caddonation-nsn.gov/Main.htm
Today in history...
1689: A small force of thirty men, led by Lieutenant James Weems, are occupying the fort at Pemaquid, Maine. They are attacked by almost 100 Abenaki Indians. The soldiers eventually surrender, and those who aren't killed, are taken as prisoners to Canada.
1792: Mohegan Samson Occom dies in New Stockbridge, New York. A protégé of Rev. Eleazar Wheelock, Occom learns numerous foreign languages, become an ordained minister, be the first Indian to preach in England, minister to many Indian tribes, and be instrumental in the establishment of Dartmouth College in New Hampshire.
1792: Mohegan Samson Occom dies in New Stockbridge, New York. A protégé of Rev. Eleazar Wheelock, Occom learns numerous foreign languages, become an ordained minister, be the first Indian to preach in England, minister to many Indian tribes, and be instrumental in the establishment of Dartmouth College in New Hampshire.
Bear legend - Cherokee
In the long ago time, there was a Cherokee Clan call the Ani-Tsa-gu-hi (Ahnee-Jah-goo-hee), and in one family of this clan was a boy who used to leave home and be gone all day in the mountains. After a while he went oftener and stayed longer, until at last he would not eat in the house at all, but started off at daybreak and did not come back until night. His parents scolded, but that did no good, and the boy still went every day until they noticed that long brown hair was beginning to grow out all over his body. Then they wondered and asked him why it was that he wanted to be so much in the woods that he would not even eat at home. Said the boy, "I find plenty to eat there, and it is better than the corn and beans we have in the settlements, and pretty soon I am going into the woods to say all the time." His parents were worried and begged him not leave them, but he said, "It is better there than here, and you see I am beginning to be different already, so that I can not live here any longer. If you will come with me, there is plenty for all of us and you will never have to work for it; but if you want to come, you must first fast seven days."
The father and mother talked it over and then told the headmen of the clan. They held a council about the matter and after everything had been said they decided: "Here we must work hard and have not always enough. There he says is always plenty without work. We will go with him." So they fasted seven days, and on the seventh morning al the Ani-Tsa-gu-hi left the settlement and started for the mountains as the boy led the way.
When the people of the other towns heard of it they were very sorry and sent their headmen to persuade the Ani Tsaguhi to stay at home and not go into the woods to live. The messengers found them already on the way, and were surprised to notice that their bodies were beginning to be covered with hair like that of animals, because for seven days they had not taken human food and their nature was changing. The Ani Tsaguhi would not come back, but said, "We are going where there is always plenty to eat. Hereafter we shall be called Yonv(a) (bears), and when you yourselves are hungry come into the woods and call us and we shall shall come to give you our own flesh. You need not be afraid to kill us, for we shall live always." Then they taught the messengers the songs with which to call them and bear hunters have these songs still. When they had finished the songs, the Ani Tsaguhi started on again and the messengers turned back to the settlements, but after going a little way they looked back and saw a drove of bears going into the woods.
The father and mother talked it over and then told the headmen of the clan. They held a council about the matter and after everything had been said they decided: "Here we must work hard and have not always enough. There he says is always plenty without work. We will go with him." So they fasted seven days, and on the seventh morning al the Ani-Tsa-gu-hi left the settlement and started for the mountains as the boy led the way.
When the people of the other towns heard of it they were very sorry and sent their headmen to persuade the Ani Tsaguhi to stay at home and not go into the woods to live. The messengers found them already on the way, and were surprised to notice that their bodies were beginning to be covered with hair like that of animals, because for seven days they had not taken human food and their nature was changing. The Ani Tsaguhi would not come back, but said, "We are going where there is always plenty to eat. Hereafter we shall be called Yonv(a) (bears), and when you yourselves are hungry come into the woods and call us and we shall shall come to give you our own flesh. You need not be afraid to kill us, for we shall live always." Then they taught the messengers the songs with which to call them and bear hunters have these songs still. When they had finished the songs, the Ani Tsaguhi started on again and the messengers turned back to the settlements, but after going a little way they looked back and saw a drove of bears going into the woods.
Pare contradicts governor over raid
By Katie Mulvaney
PROVIDENCE —The former superintendent of the state police testified yesterday that Governor Carcieri did not order him to withdraw troopers if they met resistance when they raided the Narragansett Indian smoke shop in July 2003.
“I was not instructed to withdraw if state police met with any resistance,” retired Col. Steven M. Pare said.
Pare’s testimony in Providence County Superior Court contradicted statements the governor made in the days following the controversial clash. Carcieri repeatedly said he told the state police to retreat if they encountered opposition.
Defense lawyers yesterday planned to subpoena the governor to testify.
“At the advice of the lawyer handling the case for the state, we will have no comment at this time on former Colonel Pare’s testimony,” said Jeff Neal, Carcieri’s spokesman. The governor is being represented by Marc DeSisto.
State police executed a search warrant on the roadside shop on tribal land in Charlestown on July 14, 2003, at the governor’s orders, after learning the tribe was selling cigarettes without charging Rhode Island taxes. The raid disintegrated into a widely televised, violent confrontation when tribal members resisted troopers. Seven adult Narragansetts, including Chief Sachem Matthew Thomas who attended yesterday’s hearing, were arrested on misdemeanor charges that included resisting arrest, obstruction and assault.
Want to know more? Click here:
PROVIDENCE —The former superintendent of the state police testified yesterday that Governor Carcieri did not order him to withdraw troopers if they met resistance when they raided the Narragansett Indian smoke shop in July 2003.
“I was not instructed to withdraw if state police met with any resistance,” retired Col. Steven M. Pare said.
Pare’s testimony in Providence County Superior Court contradicted statements the governor made in the days following the controversial clash. Carcieri repeatedly said he told the state police to retreat if they encountered opposition.
Defense lawyers yesterday planned to subpoena the governor to testify.
“At the advice of the lawyer handling the case for the state, we will have no comment at this time on former Colonel Pare’s testimony,” said Jeff Neal, Carcieri’s spokesman. The governor is being represented by Marc DeSisto.
State police executed a search warrant on the roadside shop on tribal land in Charlestown on July 14, 2003, at the governor’s orders, after learning the tribe was selling cigarettes without charging Rhode Island taxes. The raid disintegrated into a widely televised, violent confrontation when tribal members resisted troopers. Seven adult Narragansetts, including Chief Sachem Matthew Thomas who attended yesterday’s hearing, were arrested on misdemeanor charges that included resisting arrest, obstruction and assault.
Want to know more? Click here:
BIA boss confident despite hurdles
By Becky Shay
The national director of the Bureau of Indian Affairs knows his agency is facing challenges, especially in its justice divisions, but he said he's confident that front-line staffers are doing their best to keep order in Indian Country.
BIA Director W. Patrick Ragsdale is in charge of an agency that oversees programs for 561 federally recognized tribal governments, including law enforcement and corrections.
Staff and budget shortages nationwide could make work in Indian Country more difficult than ever, Ragsdale said.
Fortunately, the BIA has a dedicated staff that is meeting the difficulties, he said.
"We have a lot of challenges but a lot of good people," Ragsdale said. "They are doing the very best they can to hold that very thin line out here in their communities."
Ragsdale was in Billings last week for a BIA corrections conference. He oversees all BIA programs, including more than 200 law enforcement and detention programs across the nation.
The national director of the Bureau of Indian Affairs knows his agency is facing challenges, especially in its justice divisions, but he said he's confident that front-line staffers are doing their best to keep order in Indian Country.
BIA Director W. Patrick Ragsdale is in charge of an agency that oversees programs for 561 federally recognized tribal governments, including law enforcement and corrections.
Staff and budget shortages nationwide could make work in Indian Country more difficult than ever, Ragsdale said.
Fortunately, the BIA has a dedicated staff that is meeting the difficulties, he said.
"We have a lot of challenges but a lot of good people," Ragsdale said. "They are doing the very best they can to hold that very thin line out here in their communities."
Ragsdale was in Billings last week for a BIA corrections conference. He oversees all BIA programs, including more than 200 law enforcement and detention programs across the nation.
Group plans for prayer group at Bear Butte during rally
Encampment scheduled Aug. 1-12 on Northern Cheyenne Tribe property
By Kevin Woster
STURGIS -- An American Indian group will maintain a spiritual encampment near the base of Bear Butte during the Sturgis motorcycle rally, with prayers dedicated to the protection of the rocky mountain held sacred by many tribes.
Participants in the Bear Butte Prayer Gathering also will pray for the protection of indigenous nations and their sacred sites, U.S. military personnel, nations that are being hurt by armed conflicts, starving people of the world and the environmental effects of global warming.
Tamra Brennan of Sturgis, a member of the working committee that is organizing the encampment, said it should not be called or considered a protest action.
"We're not going to do any marches or things like that," she said. "This is not a protest at all. It's strictly a peaceful prayer camp."
Organizers will maintain the camp Aug. 1-12 on property owned by the Northern Cheyenne Tribe along S.D. Highway 79 on the west side of the mountain. It will be a traditional American Indian camp with lodges but no open fires.
People taking part in the prayer gathering may come and go or stay at the camp, Brennan said. Non-Indians and motorcycle riders are welcome, if they come in the right spirit and show proper respect.
"Everybody is welcome, as long as they come in a peaceful way and they come to pray," Brennan said.
Read more here: www.bearbutteprayergathering.org
By Kevin Woster
STURGIS -- An American Indian group will maintain a spiritual encampment near the base of Bear Butte during the Sturgis motorcycle rally, with prayers dedicated to the protection of the rocky mountain held sacred by many tribes.
Participants in the Bear Butte Prayer Gathering also will pray for the protection of indigenous nations and their sacred sites, U.S. military personnel, nations that are being hurt by armed conflicts, starving people of the world and the environmental effects of global warming.
Tamra Brennan of Sturgis, a member of the working committee that is organizing the encampment, said it should not be called or considered a protest action.
"We're not going to do any marches or things like that," she said. "This is not a protest at all. It's strictly a peaceful prayer camp."
Organizers will maintain the camp Aug. 1-12 on property owned by the Northern Cheyenne Tribe along S.D. Highway 79 on the west side of the mountain. It will be a traditional American Indian camp with lodges but no open fires.
People taking part in the prayer gathering may come and go or stay at the camp, Brennan said. Non-Indians and motorcycle riders are welcome, if they come in the right spirit and show proper respect.
"Everybody is welcome, as long as they come in a peaceful way and they come to pray," Brennan said.
Read more here: www.bearbutteprayergathering.org
Subscribe to:
Posts (Atom)
