Read: A Trio of Native Voices and Experiences
For Dreaming of: The Struggles and Wisdom of North America’s Original Peoples
Books
We wanted to share a collection of readings that focuses on the native experience in North America, since these cultures are such a critical part of the sacred lands that became the national parks. Admittedly, these authors are not native people themselves, but their extensive research into the American Indian experience is worthy of hearing.
James A. Michener’s “Centennial”: This epic book (which is also a fantastic, acclaimed 21-hour 1977 miniseries) comes from one of America’s best novelists known for his fictional tales based on actual historical events. “Centennial” chronicles the development of a small prairie town at the base of the Rocky Mountains in Colorado. Starting in the 1750s, pre-European indigenous groups encounter settlers, and the story evolves over two centuries, telling of conquest, collaboration, strife, and heritage. It’s one of our favorite works of American literature.
Heather Cox Richardson, a history professor at Boston University, well-known for her popular substack “Letters to An American,” wrote “Wounded Knee: Party Politics and the Road to American Massacre” to document and tell the horrific tale of the US Army battle against the native peoples of South Dakota in the 1880s and 90s. It’s a good primer before your visit to the Dakotas, and the event is also mentioned in “Centennial,” fictionalized as the “Battle of Rattlesnake Cliffs.”
On a slightly lighter note, Robin Wall Kimmerer’s “Braiding Sweetgrass” is an enlightening look at how indigenous wisdom can teach us so much about the value of our flora and fauna.
Bonus: If you like watching the Oscar nominees, there’s a promising, full-feature documentary for this year’s awards show called “Sugarcane” that chronicles First Peoples in British Columbia and their tragic experiences in forced educational systems.
Photo Source: Amazon, Wikipedia, Hatchett Group
Syllogi’s ‘Musings’ is a series helping you paint a picture of a destination while traveling from your living room. From relevant books and articles, inspiring movies and tv shows, to songs and even treats and dishes, our goal is to curate a sensory experience that will prepare you for an upcoming trip, reminiscence on adventures past, or simply to envision a place that exists in your bucket list fantasies.
