If you haven’t been to Birchbark Books, Louise Erdrich’s store in Minneapolis, it’s worth a trip. Louise and her daughters leave notes on the shelves to recommend books. You could spend the day there.
While I was in Juneau recently, I bought a copy of The Tao of the Raven by Ernestine Hayes. Hayes is Tlingit and was born in Juneau in the 40s. She has another book, which I’ll read over Christmas, called Blond Indian. I really like her writing style, and of course reading it while I was in Juneau, was perfect.
There's a lot of particularly vile Residential School-denialism happening in Canada at the moment, to which I say more people should read the late Mi'kmaw journalist Isabelle Knockwood's personal account of her time at the Shubenacadie Residential School in Nova Scotia, and Chris Benjamin's well-researched history of Shubenacadie, Indian Road School.
I read "The Turquoise Ledge" after you recommended it somewhere (presumably here) a couple years ago, Neko. At one point I was reading it at the bar here in Tacoma on an evening in deep PNW winter -- dark as hell outside, felt like it had been raining forever and would continue to rain forever -- you know the kind. But I was so absorbed in the book, and her writing was so wholly engrossing, that when the bartender came by to check on me, I looked up and was legitimately disoriented to find myself here in the dark and cold and wet. I had just *been* outside with her in the hot bright sun! I don't think I've ever been so completely transported by a book before.
Cheyenne Autumn by Mari Sandoz, also her book on Crazy Horse, and I know it sounds strange but Little Big Man by Thomas Berger. And for fun Tony Hillerman, read ‘em and head for New Mexico, stay at Zuni Pueblo.
Mean Spirit by Chickasaw writer Linda Hogan (and all of Hogan’s novels and poetry). Mean Spirit tells the same story as Killers of the Flower Moon but from the Osage perspective (and better).
Penobscot writer Morgan Talty is a good new voice.
Louise Erdrich maintains a good list on her Birchbark Books website.
I am the heating pad, too, for my cats. In fact, Genevieve prefers to be under my tented knees, but I can't keep that up all night. It's not very restful. So she settled for perching on my hip-bone when I'm asleep.
When the Light of the World Was Subdued, Our Songs Came Through: A Norton Anthology of Native Nations Poetry (Editor: Joy Harjo) is really beautiful. I have two copies, in fact, because sometimes I really need to dip into it on a bad work day.
Thank you for the suggestions, here on unceded Kaurna land I recently purchased this book.
Here's a blurb
65,000 Years: A Short History of Australian Art is a book and exhibition that celebrates the art of Australia's First Peoples and the importance of Indigenous knowledge and agency:
The book
Edited by Marcia Langton and Judith Ryan, the book features writing by 25 leading thinkers across generations and disciplines. It offers new insights into the art of Australia's First Peoples, and urges readers to reconsider the meaning of history and time.
I have read the history you kicked off with and it was everything you said.
Two great Indigenous writers I love: Stephen Graham Jones and Rebecca Roanhorse. Jones's The Only Good Indian is a masterpiece of contemporary horror.
I've read his work it's good!
He's a good dude -- and one of ND people, too!
If you haven’t been to Birchbark Books, Louise Erdrich’s store in Minneapolis, it’s worth a trip. Louise and her daughters leave notes on the shelves to recommend books. You could spend the day there.
I really enjoy Cherie Dimaline's work, particularly Empire of Wild!
While I was in Juneau recently, I bought a copy of The Tao of the Raven by Ernestine Hayes. Hayes is Tlingit and was born in Juneau in the 40s. She has another book, which I’ll read over Christmas, called Blond Indian. I really like her writing style, and of course reading it while I was in Juneau, was perfect.
There's a lot of particularly vile Residential School-denialism happening in Canada at the moment, to which I say more people should read the late Mi'kmaw journalist Isabelle Knockwood's personal account of her time at the Shubenacadie Residential School in Nova Scotia, and Chris Benjamin's well-researched history of Shubenacadie, Indian Road School.
Oops, here's a link:
https://fernwoodpublishing.ca/book/out-of-the-depths-fourth-edition
I read "The Turquoise Ledge" after you recommended it somewhere (presumably here) a couple years ago, Neko. At one point I was reading it at the bar here in Tacoma on an evening in deep PNW winter -- dark as hell outside, felt like it had been raining forever and would continue to rain forever -- you know the kind. But I was so absorbed in the book, and her writing was so wholly engrossing, that when the bartender came by to check on me, I looked up and was legitimately disoriented to find myself here in the dark and cold and wet. I had just *been* outside with her in the hot bright sun! I don't think I've ever been so completely transported by a book before.
Seven Fallen Feathers by Tanya Talaga
I really enjoy your writing, Neko Case. Looking forward to getting my hands on your book
Have a happy warm Christmas
This was such a good book!
Awesome thanks for these! Check out "This Place: 150 Years Retold". It's amazing, I think you would just love it!
Cheyenne Autumn by Mari Sandoz, also her book on Crazy Horse, and I know it sounds strange but Little Big Man by Thomas Berger. And for fun Tony Hillerman, read ‘em and head for New Mexico, stay at Zuni Pueblo.
Mean Spirit by Chickasaw writer Linda Hogan (and all of Hogan’s novels and poetry). Mean Spirit tells the same story as Killers of the Flower Moon but from the Osage perspective (and better).
Penobscot writer Morgan Talty is a good new voice.
Louise Erdrich maintains a good list on her Birchbark Books website.
Great list thank you!
Tomson Highway - Laughing with the Trickster - On Sex, Death, and Accordions
Drew Hayden Taylor - Motorcycles and Sweetgrass
David Treuer's "Heartbeat of Wounded Knee" is magnificent. Cannot recommend it highly enough.
Glad you mentioned Birchbark books, it’s a really special place.
I also highly recommend Tommy Orange’s Wandering Stars. Can’t remember the last time I was so gutted by a book.
Thanks, Neko! I love Erdrich. I’ve got some TBRs here: https://bookriot.com/must-read-indigenous-authors/
I am the heating pad, too, for my cats. In fact, Genevieve prefers to be under my tented knees, but I can't keep that up all night. It's not very restful. So she settled for perching on my hip-bone when I'm asleep.
When the Light of the World Was Subdued, Our Songs Came Through: A Norton Anthology of Native Nations Poetry (Editor: Joy Harjo) is really beautiful. I have two copies, in fact, because sometimes I really need to dip into it on a bad work day.
Thank you for the suggestions, here on unceded Kaurna land I recently purchased this book.
Here's a blurb
65,000 Years: A Short History of Australian Art is a book and exhibition that celebrates the art of Australia's First Peoples and the importance of Indigenous knowledge and agency:
The book
Edited by Marcia Langton and Judith Ryan, the book features writing by 25 leading thinkers across generations and disciplines. It offers new insights into the art of Australia's First Peoples, and urges readers to reconsider the meaning of history and time.
I have read the history you kicked off with and it was everything you said.
Ninna Marni Neko