Book Report 4 (In mad love and war

I did my last Book Report on In Mad Love and War by Joy Harjo. It is a fascinating collection of poems. 

Here is the link: https://docs.google.com/presentation/d/16f2NVIgkXnfnq5IfjqrkrwmekjSBa5CJFle8r9k9qHA/edit?usp=sharing 

Book Report #3 On the Ice

I did my third book report on a movie. You might have heard of it. It is called On the Ice. I learned while researching this move that it was written and directed by Andrew Okpeaha MacLean.

Here is the link: https://docs.google.com/presentation/d/1JlbQ-T5aFAvQxZ1SfiKw_694mTwqPPil7QN4MVZvVzQ/edit?usp=sharing

Book report #2 Water Lily

My second book report is on the novel Waterlily by Ella Deloria. I heard a few friends talking about this book back in March. So, I decided this would be the perfect opportunity to look into it. 

Here is the link for it. Let me know what you think
https://docs.google.com/presentation/d/1uC1PLVR5BipSX3QV2qGDyvwLZlFxu5ayrGJAmYEjbRw/edit?usp=sharing  

There There chapter 3, 4, and 5.

Well these chapters were certainly different in their viewpoints. For all their differences these three characters did have some connection to the Native heritage. The three characters for these chapters are Opal Viola Victoria Bear Shield, Edwin Black, and Bill Davis. The chapter featuring Opal takes places when she was a child. Her mother took Opal and her sister Janice to Alcatraz prison close to Thanksgiving. I could not imagine living in the cold dark cell blocks of that prison. This experience may not have been the most pleasant for Opal, but she did see a new side of her sister Janice. The older sister drinks with a group of teenagers. In this case it seems that Opal is the more responsible sister. She just stands to the side and watches her sister drink. Then she later learns that her sister is pregnant. Her mother tries to tell Opal the reason behind her name, but the girl does not really understand it. I think she will when she comes of age.

Then there is the chapter which features Edwin Black. He is a fat, 30 year old, computer addict. I think many people in the world right now can relate to him. So many people are going online now to look for details on the corona virus. Edwin on the other hand is looking for details about his father. He meets his father through his mother's Facebook account. He learns which tribes his father belongs to. One of which is the Cheyenne tribe. Then his mother comes home and tells him that she has a job lined up for him. He agrees to look at the application if she will send it to him. After this Edwin tries on his old powwow dancer clothes. I think he is on his way to finding his place in the world.

Now the third chapter deals with Bill Davis. He is Edwin's mother boyfriend. He does maintenance work for the stadium that will be hosting the powwow that the book centers around. Bill does not dislike Edwin really. He just think he is too soft. This is pretty understandable coming from a Vietnam war veteran. But I think Bill needs to accept that people live differently now. They things that make a boy into a man now are not the same as when he was a young man. He is a member of the Lakota tribe and has also gone to prison. There he read many different books. I think if I ever did end up in prison I would do the same thing.

There There: Chapters 1 and 2

The author of There There, Tommy Orange. He seems to have a very thoughtful expression on his face.
What he is thinking about?

I have heard about books that tell a story from multiple perspectives. So I find it interesting that this book follows that lay out. The first two chapters are both set in Oakland. They both are from the perspective of guys who have had difficult lives, Tony Loneman and Dene Oxendene. Tony only talked to his mother when she was in jail. While Dene grew up with his mother looking after him. Tony sells drugs and Dene smokes weed. They are both what would be termed Urban Indians. They have both lived in Oakland their entire lives. They feel a connection to their heritage.

They may not live in tepees or on the open prairie, but that does not make them any less Native. They are still aware of their past and they respect. However, they also go out and make their own lives. Tony danced at powwows when he was younger. His grandmother taught him about his heritage which I believe made him embrace it. His reason for selling drugs is a relate able one. Tony wants to help support his grandmother in any way he can. Yes he does not like doing it sometimes but he does it. I think this reflects the usual idea of Indians being loyal their families. Unlike Tony, Dene seems to have a more open minded person.   

Dene embraces his heritage in a more open and direct way. His enrolled in two tribes, indicating his is proud of his native roots. He wants to people to tell him their stories. Not traditional stories they learned but their own life stories. This sounds very therapeutic to me in a way. His intentions are good and he goes the extra mile by applying for a grant. This signifies that Dene has a noble ambition. He wants people to see how real Urban Indians live. Rather than project the downtrodden traditional stereotype so many people fine familiar.     

Tear by Linda Hogan (Chickasaw)

The author of this amazing poem, Linda Hogan. 

"Tear" by Linda Hogan was the first poem I read in #NotYourPrincess Voices of Native American Women. It really set the tone for this collection of poems. The pom is simple in structure and a quick read. But the language and tone of the poem resonates with me. The repeated lines "They walk inside me. This blood / is a map of the road between us. / I am why they survived. / The world behind them did not close. / The world before them is still open. / All around me are my ancestors, / my unborn children." made me understand the poems purpose. The culture of the speakers ancestors is kept alive through her and the child she will have. The world that her ancestors lived is gone but not forgotten. The future of her culture and her people is full of opportunity. This speaker believes firmly that Native Americans will continue to fight to be heard in the modern world. This is the first in several posts I will make about poems from this collection.

Final thoughts on Give Me Some Truth.

Give Me Some Truth was a very interesting book. I followed the two striking journeys of Maggie and Carson. Mr. Matchstick learned that he needs to stop trying to control everything. Sometimes he needs to have more faith in his bandmates. During the Battle of the Bands his group sounded great even though Carson was not leading them. Lewis finally stood up for himself and took on Jim in a fight. He got his butt whooped a bit but he proved that Jim can not push him around anymore. Carson learned that peaceful protest can work if you work at it. In spite of his father's violent action turning it into a riot. 

I am happy that Maggie did not 'give' her virginity to Jim. That man did not really care about her. He just wanted to be with someone who made him feel young. She finally sees and confronts this in the last chapter of the book. She is taking full control of her life. However, I am still hoping in the future that she and Carson might get together. As soon as they both grow up a little more. One thing that seems to really surprised Maggie is that Marvin gets a life of his own. He starts to assist the drummers at socials. 

Carson reads about the real Geranal George Armstrong Custer. The man was known as a great 'Indian Killer" in spite of being massacred by Indians at the Battle of Little Bighorn. He realizes that a man like that should be used as a mascot for a restaurant. Throughout the novel, Carson learns why his brother attempted to rob Custards Last Stand. Derek wanted to make a political statement. I think it is plausible that Carson could be a season peaceful protester in the future. 

Overall, I did enjoy this book. When I started reading this book I was not sure what it was about. But as I kept reading it the meaning and purpose of the book came through. Carson, Lewis, and Maggie were all effected by the songs of the Beatles. In the end they all wanted to seek their own kind of truth in this world. 

Thank you all for reading this post. I'll be posting about some poems written by Native Americans about Native American. Also, I will be giving out an update on what I have been up to during this pandemic. 

Some of my thoughts on Give Me Some Truth

So far this book has been pretty interesting. I was surprised at how long it took for the band to be formed. Though I was pleased to see their first two performances went well. One thing that I can't seem to get my head around is Carson's ego. He seems to think he is completely in charge. Whjle it might have been his idea to form the band in the first place. Everyone should have a say in how the band in run. For instance Carson dictates what clothes each other the band members will wear. That seems to be a bit excessive. A band should be judged on how well they preform music. Not what they are wearing.

Another thing that is hard for me to accept about this book is Magpie's friendship with Jim. I mean the age difference alone is a little mind boggling. He is in his thirties and she is fifteen years old. That's an age gap of at least fifteen years. From Jim's behavior around Maggie it seems that he really wants her to like him. But I don't he is solely interested in being friends with her. The oddest part is that Maggie seems to be falling for him. I can barely believe it as I read. But the author has some purpose for this some i'm going to just keep on reading. My personal opinion is that Maggie should end up at least dating Carson. One of those reason is that he is much closer in age.

My Situation during this pandemic.

Hello Everyone! I realize it's been quite a while since I have post on this blog. But I would like to take this opportunity to tell you all what my situation is during the coronavirus pandemic. I began my spring break on March 7 and it was scheduled to end on March 15. With the surge in coronavirus cases that did not happen. I do not have the virus myself. Which I'm thankful for. My spring break was extended to include all of last week. But then I got an email that changed my college experience. 

The email said that all of my class were going to be online till April 3. However, that changed earlier this week when I received another email saying that all of my class would be online for the rest of the semester.

I'm coping with staying at home during this pandemic. But I'm not sitting on my hand doing nothing. I have been reading several books which include: Give Me Some Truth, How I Became A North Koran, Uncle Tom's Cabin, and The Great Gatsby. I have enjoyed reading this books immensely. You will be hearing my views on the rest of Give Me Some Truth very soon. Aside from reading I have been cleaning and vacuuming my house. I'm doing things that need to be done and to be useful. Another thing I have been doing is doing a bit of hand sewing. I find that this really helps me staying claim and collected. 

Now I'll talk about a few things I have done related to cooking. I have made a crockpot version of chicken and dumplings. I did use a recipe for this. Another thing I made was a hotdish. For this dish I use a quart jar of my mom's hotdish starter, a pint jar of her vegetable juice, small macaroni shells, and browned elk burger. I have seen my parents make this hotdish many times. But this was the first time I ever made it by myself. According to my mom it turned out great. I plan on making some cream puffs this week. I have always loved eating these tasty desserts. Well that is all I have for you guys right now but I will updating this blog again very soon. Stay safe and stay healthy!!

  

Chapter 3 of Give Me Some Truth

Chapter 3 was a little surprising. Taking place about a month after Carson's brother got shot. The school year ends and the day after Carson meets Marie and Maggie Bokoni. Marie seems like your typical pretty teen girl who knows how to flirt. While Carson likes the looks of Marie it is Maggie who really seems to capture his interests. I personally am rooting for any relationship which develops between Carson and Maggie. They both have big dreams and seem to have the ambition to make them come true. "Marie might not know it, but her sister was a very intriguing girl" (Page 41). This line alone makes it clear that Carson definitely sees something in Maggie that many other people do not seem to notice.   

Give Me Some Truth - Passage and Chapter 2

"I had started thinking about my own ideas after my seventh-grade class field trip to the Albright-Know Art Gallery in Buffalo. A lot of kids said "this is stupid" or "I could do this," in their for Naked People Art." (Page 17)

This passage stuck out to me because it shows that Maggie has a rather artistic spirit. When she goes to this museum she is probably one of the only students in her group to truly appreciate the artworks. I can already see a connection between Carson and Maggie. They both have ideas the stretch far beyond the reservation. Carson wants to be a rock star and go off to see the world. While Maggie wants to be a famous artist who gets to make whatever kind of art she wants.

Eric Gansworth explaining Give Me Some Truth

When I watched the short video of Give Me Some Truth's author explain what the book was about I was interested. It sounded, unlike any book I had ever read. Mainly because I have never read like this one before. The main characters in the books I usually read are not 16 or 15-year-old Native Americans who compete in a battle of the bands contests. But I can see why this book has some much appeal. I'm sure many people can relate to Carson and Maggie. 

Book Report: Wild Berries

Wild Berries is an interesting and simple children's book. It shows a boy, Clarence, and his grandmother going into the woods to pick wild blueberries. It kind reminded me of when I was younger and I would go out to our Rhubarb bush and pick a few stalks from it. Sometimes my mom and i would bake into something, usually Rhubarb crisp. Other times I would just clean the stalks and eat them raw, except for the root and leaves of course.

Anyway, this book was written and illustrated by the famous multitalented author and artist Julie Flett.

Here is a link to my presentation of this story. I hope you enjoy it. https://docs.google.com/presentation/d/1IuPio30JR62FutHEYSNuYryfd9zvHVH0IE5aDVGbMbU/edit?usp=sharing

Mapping the Interior #2

I just finished Mapping The Interior this morning. I read this book in 24 - 25 page stretches every day this week. I found it was easier to read this book that way. The narrator finally vanquishes his father's ghost by shoving him out of the house. Then the mismatched ghosts of the four dogs that the father killed ripped him apart. In my opinion, the father got what he deserved. Then the focus of the book switches to the present where the narrator is in his late forties and is on the dancing circuit.

He is living a less successful version of his father's dream. Then he takes Dino back to the site of their old to try a bring back his dead son. He has learned very little from his experience. The dead should be left to rest. No one should try to bring them back. I mean the narrator is willing to sacrifice himself so his son can come back. There is no guarantee that the son will come back or that he will come back as the same person. This book moved me and left me a little disturbed.   

Mapping the Interior #1

This novel may be short but there is a lot going on. I'm about halfway through the book and I'm enjoying the plot and the characters. One of the reviews of this book says there is a little Shirley Jackson in Mapping The Interior. Shirley Jackson was the author who wrote the novel The Haunting of Hill House. In short, this book is about a haunted mansion that was "born bad." The ghosts in this book do not directly appear right to the people visiting Hill House. The narrator in this book either encounters his father's spirit or at least thinks he does. He hears more than he sees. The big difference between these two books is the intent of the ghosts. In Shirley Jackson's book, the ghosts are malevolent. They want to hurt the people visiting the mansion. While in Mapping The Interior the spirit of the narrator's father wants to help his family. Well, at least that's what the twelve-year-old believes. 

My thoughts on Buffalo Bird Girl

A picture of the real Buffalo Bird Woman.

This story was vastly different from Love Medicine. While that story was told from multiple perspectives. This story was told straight from the point of view of Buffaloe Bird Woman. At first, I thought it was a little silly for a college student to be reading a children's book. That being said approached this book with an open mind. I found that reading this girl's narrative of how her people hunted and preserved food was very interesting. I wasn't aware that Native Americans preserved their dried food underground. The description of a Hidatsa warrior having his horse shot out from under him was thrilling. Then to see that he still managed to kill a Lakota warrior was very impressive. I know you can't take everything this book says as gospel but I think it does a fair job of describing the Hidatsa way of life.

The ending of the book is rather sad. The way she describes that he way of life is gone forever had me contemplating how many Native American cultures have been lost to the coming of the white man. 

"Flesh and Blood" and "A Bridge" in Love Medicine

In "Flesh and Blood" Marie takes her daughter Zelda to see the dying nun, Sister Leopolda. They go up the hill to the convent. Marie notices how the covenant might look shiny and new but if you look closely you can still the age of the building. When Zelda and Marie first meet Sister Leopolda she seems lucid and in her right mind. But no too long before it becomes clear she has lost her mind. Marie tries to steal the large spoon Sister Leopolda uses to bang on her iron bed frame. However, she can't pry the old nun's fingers loose from the spoon. So finally Maria gives up and leaves with Zelda. Once at home Zelda finds the letter that Nector had written saying he was leaving Marie for Lulu.

Her reaction to the letter rather surprised me. she was not angry that Nector left her. But rather she stuck trying to figure out how she would raise her children without a father. But later on, when Zelda brings Nector home Marie places the refolded letter under the salt holder. She decides then and there not to tell Nector if she had read the letter. She going to make him guess for the rest of his life with her. 

In "a bridge" the novel jumps to 1973 in Fargo, North Dakota. Fifteen-year-old Albertine Johnson has run away from home. Now she is in Fargo because she does not have any more to travel any further. Then follows a soldier who turns out to be Henry Lamartine Jr. They drink in a few different bars and then head to a cheap motel. They have sex but that's not the shocking part of this chapter. the shocking part is when it's fairly clear Henry Lamartine Jr. is suffering from Post Traumatic Stress Disorder. But when Albertine starts to fear for her safety it turns out that Henry is not as dangerous as he first appeared. 

Saint Marie

This chapter was vastly different from the previous one. It has a much darker feeling about it. The narrator Marie Lazarre is the grandmother of Albertine Johnson. I'm not sure if Albertine has any previous knowledge of what Marie did in the convent. But I think if she did she would know that her grandmother was not always the kindly woman she knows. She was young and vain at one point in her life. She had her own problems long before she married Nector.

What also struck me was how Sister Leopolda knew that Marie would leave the convent. But as the first chapter showed the sister was right. It surprising that both Marie and Zelda wanted to be religious sisters (or nuns).  But both of them were stopped from becoming sister for different reasons. Marie because she was not devout enough (at least that is what I got from the chapter) and Zelda because she fell pregnant with Albertine. 

"The World's Greatest Fisherman"

I was a little confused at the start of this chapter. But once I got into the meat of it the story became easier to understand. I will admit I thought the speaker was a guy until they clarified Albertine was a daughter. In any case, I saw early one that these stories are about a troubled Native American family. The narrator in this chapter, Albertine Kashpaw, believes that her mother regrets having her. Also, one interesting thing to note is that Albertine calls her mother "Mama" and "Zelda." I think this shows the level of detachment and distance she feels towards her mother.

She is not entirely sure what to feel about the death of her Aunt June. Even though most of the family viewed June an easy woman who could not get her life together. I believe that Albertine admired her the most out of all of her aunts. I think this chapter is an excellent opening to this book.

Hello Everyone!!

I have made this blog for my Native American Literature class. I am still in the process of working out the way I want my blog to look. However, I will be making regular weekly posts to this blog.

A Picture of myself during my first semester at Dakota State University.