American Indian Dog Books

Learn what it's like on the rez.written well with humor and feeling. Received book quickly.

I enjoyed this book of essays by one of Pine Ridge's own journalists. There is humor, some sadness, but overall an unapologetic and honest account of day-to-day life on the reservation.

Vic Glover is an Oglala Lakota who lives on the Pine Ridge Reservation. He's seen the outside world, including a tour as a combat medic in Vietnam, but this is where he wants to be.

The book consists of anecdotes from daily life, each 2-10 pages long. There is no particular flow or rhythm to the stories that I could see. Some are funny, ironic, or touching, but most are just slices of life as lived on the reservation.

It shouldn't work, but it does.

The foundation for Glover's life, and for the life of his friends and family, are two sacred gatherings: sweat lodges and Sun Dances. More than half the stories involve a sweat lodge, getting ready for a sweat lodge by going out and getting a cord of wood in the truck, or drinking coffee after a sweat, or whatever. Glover doesn't lecture or explain, he just tells, and over time you build up an understanding of the lodge. He spends less time on the Sun Dances, which are only a summer tradition anyway.

The rhythm of life on the rez includes truck repair, mud, and far too many automobile fatalities. It's underpinned by outsiders who bring money, "commodity" food, volunteer time, and search for spirituality. Do they give, or do they take? Do the Lakota take from them, or give? These unanswered questions pop up again and again.

It shouldn't work, but it does.

Hoka Hey,

Vic, I've read your book twice.
Because each time I read it, I feel closer to the Rez and all my friends on Pine Ridge.
You speak with truth and kindness and humor and a deep and abiding love for a very strong and resilient people and nation.
Thank you. Wopila.
To anyone who wants to understand contemporary Indian life, this is a must read. Never pedantic, Vic Glover shares the stories and challenges that face these great people unvarnished and true.
Read it.
m.

I lived on and off the rez for a few years and I miss my relations. I also miss the beauty that can only be found on those back roads when you are "running the gauntlet" because,well, that's what you need to do (enit, Mom?). Side street sunflowers and the Trash Pile where one man's trash is another's treasure. Say hello to Fernando's Hideaway, Butch's Road and that old tree where Uncle Wayne (Wine, to Robbie) danced before that school bus came over the way to see him do so (I wasn't there but I won't forget that story every). What about Grandpa Moses (Bullbear) who was pulled over by the Chunksa's who told him that he was going to jail and so he said "So what?", draining the rest of his galleon of wine. And rightly so, considering it is a so-called "dry" rez. As though if! (that was for Tammy). There are deer people (Pearly Gates told me this one), there is so much going on there all the time and yet as Sandra would say it can be heaven on Earth. Rick knows...thank GOD you didn't leave us, bro...and Mom? Well she might think I forgot her but no WAY in the world! Not when we've all had such good times by Lacreek, the River, Denby Dam and who can forget, right there in the middle of it all Big As* Bats? Anyway, there's too much to describe in one review but I will say the book captures the spirit of the Rez, it's occupants, non-occupants and then some. I personally hope I never see the Tall Man. So I'll say a great, big "oi oi!" to Mom and the rest of the Harvey-Bullbear clan out there and tell them I've read this book and I had to break down and cry because I miss you all so much. Pine Ridge aka Wine Ridge, hau hau! Mikey, I lost the weight you predicted that I would (you're just like Uncle Lawrence!) Joey, Jamie and Ruben..I love you! Marky, Jeanie, Stevie, Mary and Nonnie...I love you! Deb, Randy, J.D., Kami and all those new little ones I haven't yet met but hey man, I love you all! Aaron, Cassie, Ritchie, Samantha, Shirley...gosh I can't remember everybody's name anymore! Sheesh, I better get my arse out there for summertime shenanigans! Hey Mom, I'm sending you some mun for your Mad Dog so don't worry...a great BIG letter too, because there hasn't been a day gone by when I've forgotten you or anybody, just because I run a library you knwo? Anyway, it'll come before Christmas. God Bless you in your time of sorrow for Aunt Zella's passing, btw. Mitakuye Oyasin. And let's not forget the BEST radio station...ata KILI! Pine Ridge ROCKS xoxo Kelly xoxo

I had the honor of meeting Dr. Broome at the 2007 Little Bighorn Association conference in North Platte Nebraska. I would like to think that his scholarship helps to set a standard for historical research. When I consider what I see being produced today by many of our universitys I don't hold out a lot of hope for this though.

Dog Soldier Justice is an amazing piece of research in that it covers ground often ignored today. It looks at the dangers and horrors that often faced pioneers in the form of indian depradations. Today we frequently forget the innocent victims caught up in the plains indian wars. We also forget that evil acts were committed by the indians as much as the white man. Dr. Broome manages to correct some of this by the tragic story of this one woman and her family. He also reminds the reader that this sort of treatment was not the exception and more common than many historians are willing to admit. There is some justice in relating the truth and Dr. Broome's book is a step towards this.

Dr. Broome paints a very interesting history of the settlement of the American West in the late 19th century. He pulls no punches in his history which is extensively researched and referenced. No "New Western Historian", is he. He tells what happened in detail and in unvarnished truth. Among the history lurks the soul of a mystery novel except this is true. The reader knows in advance what happens, but even today we don't know the details of what really happened to Susanna Alderdice. She is the centerpiece of the book. Her experiences are as bad as any atrocity known to man.

Anybody interested in the Kansas and Colorado early settlers and their experiences with the renegade Dog Soldiers should read this book. Life was not bread and circuses as many would have you believe back then. It was a struggle against the elements, a struggle against disease and the ever present danger of being attacked just for living.

Jeff Bloome has produced an outstanding narrative concerning a little known period of history in 19th Century Kansas. I was attracted to it because my own grandparents were captured by Indians on a Kansas farm near Marysville, one of my family members was burned at the stake by Indians in the 1700's, and many of my ancestors had to protect their homes and lives from warring tribes in New York and Kansas. This book is the epitome of research on the subject of the Indian raids that terrorized and killed so many settlers in Kansas in the 1860's, and none of it is fiction. Dr. Broome tells the facts in a way that is spellbinding, and in a manner that makes the people of the time, both Settler and Indian alike, very real. Dr. Bloome has the ability to capture their time and the way they felt and reacted to these tragedies. The American settler comes alive, particuarly in the person of Susanna Alderdice and her family. Five stars is the most I am permitted to rate Dog Soldier Justice, but it deserves more than that and anyone whose ancestors were a part of the early history of America should be particularly grateful to Dr. Bloome for his detailed research and the sincere empathy he shows in his writing about these real people on the prairie who eventually succeeded,in making the wild terrority home despite its many dangers. This is not a derogatory piece designed deliberately to make Indians look bad, there were many good Indians, it is simply historical fact about the Dog Soldier Indians who did a great amount of harm to their own cause, and the story needs to be told as it happened, not as some would like it told. The extent of his research and his care in the presentation coupled with a captivating style of writing and complete footnotes to back up this writing makes this a must reading for those interested in the history of the Plains in the 19th Century.

I had the pleasure of meeting Dr. Broome at the Little Big Horn Battlefield this year, 2005. I have found this book to be outstanding in the discription of just how ruthless and savage the Bog Soldiers were to the settelers of the Kansas plains. The research is outstanding and well documented. This book will move you in the hardships the settelers of the West went through and their courage and bravery of them all. The brutality that the Dog Soldier Indians put upon the woman of Kansas is heart braking and it's amazing anyone who survived could have endured. I highly recommend this book, regardless of how you might feel concerning the Indians of Kansas as this book presents the moving story of the will to live and survive and settle Kansas.

Paul Posey
Grovetown, GA

I recall first noticing this book in a University of Oklahoma: Press catalog back in the late 1990s, did not have a PC in those days and my local bookstore had great difficulty in obtaining a copy for me. Seems I paid a high price also, but the book was and is certainly worth it.

For anyone such as myself, college major in anthropology, having an abiding interest in the plains tribes and Cheyenne Dog Soldier societies, including Elk Horn Scrapers, Bow Strings, Kit Foxes, Red Shields, and even the contraries, this volume will engross and educate.

I pull the volume out from time-to-time just to leaf and browse through it, with it never failing to hold my interest. Not only are there the ledgerbook histories but several actual period photographs are also included. You get a 'feel' for what all these earlier people actually were like.

Much artist as well as historical information can be gleaned from this volume of 400+ pages. Highly recommended for people interested in the Cheyenne Indians wars or the 1860s on the plains. Included also are four (4) pages of maps for the Northern Plains, 1864-65, South Platte River Trail Stage Stations and Ranches 1865, Smoky Hill Trail 1865, and the Central Plains area 1864-1869.

A fine volume especially at dealer's prices compared to what earlier purchasers had to shell out.

Semper Fi.

On September 17, 1868, Eugene Carr's Fifth United States cavalry guided by "Buffalo Bill" Cody, surprised and attacked Tall Bull's village of Cheyenne Dog Soldiers at Summit Springs, Colorado Territory. In one of the hastily abandonded lodges, a ledger book was found which had been initially captured by the Cheyenne during their retalitory raids following the Sand Creek massacre four years earlier. In the book were drawings of events of great valor done by Cheyenne warrior/artists.

The authors have reproduced the pages of the original ledgerbook in their original size and have added very detailed explainations of the drawings.

This book is very well researched and produced. David F. Halaas is the Colorado State Historian and Andrew Masich is a past president of that organization.

A GREAT BOOK ON A GREAT PART OF NA HISTORY OF A PROUD NATION

Man, I love anything with crazy visions in the sky - particularly the first chapter of the Biblical book Ezekiel - but the vision in this book is a neat thing to read about too. I just don't get why the buffalo was referenced at the end. Must be a Native American custom to end all stories with some mentioning of a buffalo.

I'm sorry to say I still like non-sacred dogs more than sacred dogs, but I have a very good reason for doing so. Sacred dogs are much more expensive.

I loved this book when I was little, and I still love it now. It's great to see that it's still around. It's a wonderful story with even better illustrations for children and adults.

Children and adults will enjoy the colorful illustrations and tale of how the Native Americans acquired the horse. Lovely!

This was a special book, and everyone I've talked to has loved it

Carole

Being a direct descendent of Julia German & having known her as a child I have lived with this story my entire life. Arlene's book however makes this true American tale of courage and survival come alive even for those of us who thought we understood it. Highly suggested reading for historians who want to realize the truth as it was on both sides of the Anglo-Indian issues of that time and/or as an inspirational experience for readers of all ages. There's history here for the reader to experience on every page. Thank you Arlene for bringing the definitive non-ficitional illustration of these events to the general public.

THIS BOOK IS A VERY GOOD PORTRAYAL OF THE GERMAN FAMILY.THE FOUR GERMAN SISTER WERE CAPTIVE OF GRAY BEARD THEIR NAME WERE CATHERINE 17 YEARS OLD AND 12 YEARS OLD SOPHI,ADDIE AND JULIE THE YOUNG ONE'S . CAREFULLY RESERCHED. WHERE WAS CATHERINE IN 1880.

This is the story of a young Hopi girl who will be in her first Butterfly Dance. This children's book is an accurate presentation of the Hopi culture and the Hopi world view. It is written and illustrated by a Hopi man of the Sun Clan. This book is suitable for all children, including Hopi children, as it does not discuss sacred matters.

Marty Kreipe de Montano has modernized one of the classic characters found in the oral tradition of many Native American cultures.

In this story, Coyote leaves the Potawatomi reservation and heads for the Big Apple, where he gets a job as Rodent Control Officer in the World Trade Center. But he never really gets used to living in Manhattan, with its noise and crowded streets. Homesick, he finds comfort in looking at the stars. One is so beautiful, he falls in love with her. They dance together in the sky. But he gets cold and lonely and begs the star to let him go. And so she does: for four days and nights, he tumbles to earth, where he lands in the middle of Central Park, creating what is now the reservoir. Now, when you hear the coyotes howling at night, know that they are hollering at the star which dropped their ancestor.

The charming illustrations are done by Tom Coffin. The author has also included several pages of information about the Potawatomi people (both she and Coffin are members of the Prairie Band Potawatomi). She also includes information on Coyote as trickster-hero. The story line of this book was adapted from the Klamath traditional tale of the origin of Crater Lake.

I recommend this book for young children.

This book is a very tenderly written creation story that inspires kids to use their imagination on a grand scale. The awe the reader feels at seeing this creation unfold is not at all solemn; there is a sense of dynamism and joy on each page. This book helps kids to appreciate other culture's oral traditions as well as the natural beauty of our world.

This retelling of a Kato Indian legend is beautifully written, and its illustrations are both apt and marvelous. A wonderful creation story. It is a book I'd have loved as a child, and will love on into the rest of my old age.

Red Hawk has writtten a masterpiece of compression, simplicity, honesty, and courage. These poems can change lives. They are like a map of the inner journey to Enlightenment. They are a comfort and a help on the long road home.

I teach songwriting. Redhawk is my hero.

I discovered this book many years ago and it has both inspired me and challenged me as an artist and writer... it is - in a word - brilliant.

I have given copies to my favorite students (the ones who "get it"), and I have worn the pages of my copy so thin that light can almost pass through the closed manuscript.

If you love wit - and insight into the human experience - you will find no greater collection of poetic writings than this.

Most people don't realize that until the Congressional response to the Supreme Court case Ex Parte Crow Dog, Indian tribal governments had full jurisdiction over all matters in their territory. In other words, there was no federal intrusion into crimes or civil matters arising on Indian lands. The decision in Crow Dog actually AFFIRMED tribal sovereignty, but because the Lakota jurisprudence of murder cases was so offensive to the white society, Congress passed the Major Crimes Act. Ever since, the federal government has intruded on the sovereignty of indigenous nations on this continent. Other Congressional acts have further eroded tribal sovereignty (such as the Indian Civil Rights Act) but it all started with Crow Dog. This book is a superb historical account of the real people behind the Crow Dog case, and also offers an excellent analysis of the motives behind those who advocated for the passage of the Major Crimes Act. Any true scholar of Federal Indian Law should read this book.

The special relationship people share with dogs (and vice-versa) are wonderfully captured in this collection of Abenaki stories. Written, it seems, from an oral tradition the sentence construction has a rhythm that feels both unfamiliar and soothing in English. The stories themselves are touching: tales of how the dogs chose to be with human beings, how dogs defend us and save us in times of need, and how important the relationship between dog and man is. Its a great book for young children age 5 - 8. Recommended.