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missbookiverse's review against another edition
3.0
I always find it fascinating to read something that was written 100 years ago and to be immersed in the life the person led at that point in history. American Indian Stories is a collection of memories, short stories, and poems by Zitkála-Šá, a member of the Sioux tribe. I enjoyed the personal thoughts on her childhood and her time at missionary school the most. It must have been so hard to be torn between your family and culture on the one side and changing times and the constant pressure of the missionaries (that could also appear as exciting and appealing to a child) on the other. Overall, I wish there had been more context in this collection, the foreword didn’t really help me out much and I’ll have to do my own research on Zitkála-Šá’s turbulent life now.
linda_1410's review against another edition
informative
4.0
This a collection of Zitkála-Šá's memoirs, essays and short stories. She relates her early life living among her people, the Dakota, being forcefully taken from them to be indoctrinated by white Christians, and her eventual reunion with her people. The stories and essays address the various trials and issues that befell the Native Americans as white settlers expanded westward and squeeze them off their own land. They're familiar tales, sadly, including how the American government time and time again broke their treaties and how the Native Americans were left to starve on the reservations, as well as how being raised among a different culture, being made to turn against your own beliefs, impacted her and her people.
This is short, under four hours, but impactful.
This is short, under four hours, but impactful.
kkpritchard's review against another edition
3.0
Partial read for American Women Writers before 1924 with Dr. Ginsberg. Spring 2020.
erincataldi's review against another edition
3.0
This was the first time I had read anything by the famed indigenous author, Zitkala-Sa. This book contained a collection of her biographical snapshots and stories of youth, folk tales, essays, and poetry. They are eloquent, profound, and deeply moving. She had raw power with her words and when you read this book, the imagery it conveys about growing up at the turn of the century on a reservation and what it means to be indigenous is profound. Essential reading for Native American scholars.
emigri's review against another edition
2.0
Important book!! but I personally thought it was a little boring.
emilywiese's review against another edition
5.0
Book: American Indian Stories, Legends. and Other Writings
Author: Zitkala-Sa
Overview Summary: The book detailed Native American stories, legends, and biographical stories detailing the author's story of the destruction of her native community//home and her conversion into "white culture".
The story entailing the author specifically highlights her early life still living with her mother and the Sioux tribe. My favorite story from this section detailed her making coffee for an elder who entered her tent while her mother had left. It was beautiful to see the respect this small girl had someone older than her especially since the stereotype of Native Americans is they are wild and untamable. Reading the author's stories over her time at boarding school not only broke my heart, but opened up my eyes to experiences that I had no idea occurred. When they cut Zitkala-Sa's hair she said, "then I lost her spirit." It felt like it was the final straw was broken that still tied to her Native American spirit and life. The last section of her stories paints a picture of her life teaching now. Going back to her reservation to see her mother she questioned her standing of living where as a child she loved how she lived- especially being able to see the stars at night.
Rating: 5/5 stars
Recommended: This plays highly on the history of the Sioux tribe and a real life account of a little girl who lived through the years whose motto stood upon "kill the Indian, save the man". It really gives a credible account to those who don't know of these issues and painfully, awful hardships. For me, a white female, I was lacking knowledge of this event and keeps me reminded the sacrifices these families made and how oppressed their voices remain today. This may also fall under the category of a read for a future teacher reminded us to keep our classrooms open to such voices and also stories that can be taught in the classroom. This is such an ugly time in US history, but needs to be taught- especially in schools.
Author: Zitkala-Sa
Overview Summary: The book detailed Native American stories, legends, and biographical stories detailing the author's story of the destruction of her native community//home and her conversion into "white culture".
The story entailing the author specifically highlights her early life still living with her mother and the Sioux tribe. My favorite story from this section detailed her making coffee for an elder who entered her tent while her mother had left. It was beautiful to see the respect this small girl had someone older than her especially since the stereotype of Native Americans is they are wild and untamable. Reading the author's stories over her time at boarding school not only broke my heart, but opened up my eyes to experiences that I had no idea occurred. When they cut Zitkala-Sa's hair she said, "then I lost her spirit." It felt like it was the final straw was broken that still tied to her Native American spirit and life. The last section of her stories paints a picture of her life teaching now. Going back to her reservation to see her mother she questioned her standing of living where as a child she loved how she lived- especially being able to see the stars at night.
Rating: 5/5 stars
Recommended: This plays highly on the history of the Sioux tribe and a real life account of a little girl who lived through the years whose motto stood upon "kill the Indian, save the man". It really gives a credible account to those who don't know of these issues and painfully, awful hardships. For me, a white female, I was lacking knowledge of this event and keeps me reminded the sacrifices these families made and how oppressed their voices remain today. This may also fall under the category of a read for a future teacher reminded us to keep our classrooms open to such voices and also stories that can be taught in the classroom. This is such an ugly time in US history, but needs to be taught- especially in schools.
hellasmella's review against another edition
5.0
Phenomenal. There are some stories and poetry but this is, at it’s core, political and cultural history. This volume should be taught in every American high school.
socorrobaptista's review against another edition
5.0
É fascinante ler, em pleno século 21, uma narrativa tão interessante e tão forte, escrita no início do século 20. Adoro ler narrativas indígenas, acho que é um povo ainda muito silenciado, cuja voz precisa ser ouvida. Gosto mais ainda quando tal narrativa é escrita por mulheres. Adorei!!!