“Differences of race, nationality, or religion should not be used to deny any human being citizenship rights or privileges. Life is to be lived to its fullest so that death is just another chapter. Memories of our lives, of our works, and our deeds will continue in others."
—Rosa Parks
Rosa Parks was born Rosa Louise McCauley in Tuskegee, Alabama, on February 4, 1913, to Leona (née Edwards), a teacher, and James McCauley, a carpenter. In addition to African ancestry, one of Parks's great-grandfathers was Scots-Irish, and one of her great-grandmothers was a part–Native American slave. Mitákuye oyàsin indeed…
The little shell arrived today and I immediately cracked it open and tore through its contents! I couldn’t help myself as familiar places and names poured forth from its pages.
I could go on and on with my own parallel story within the big story, but in the spirit of Joy Harjo and others I offer this “comment”—
It was harder than holy heck to not "crack open" the binding on the copy I purchased for the Consortium Library of the University of Alaska/Alaska Pacific University. I wanted to read it. Badly wanted to. Yet, I lovingly wrapped it and mailed it onward. Then I called Fact and Fiction to see if MY copy could be expedited from Media Mail to Priority Mail. Mara said she had just mailed my copy on Monday, so I knew I had to practice some patience. And, then, magic and serendipity joined hands, and, my Media Mail'd copy of Becoming Little Shell arrived in my rural Alaskan post office box three days later.
The house is perfectly quiet, there's no further chores to accomplish. Gonna boil a pot of chai and begin reading.
Miigwech, Chris. This dustcover is the best ever... with all the promotional blurbs and the two very fine photos of YOU, Chris. And, I cannot help but notice gentle similarities across time, Chief Little Shell and you, Chris... your photographic images. Just sayin'.....
Am almost finished reading your book and am deeply moved to see the photograph of Chief Little Shell.
I ordered two copies so that I could give one away. The one signed by you will be arriving any day now.
All the best to you!
The photograph is really something, isn't it?
I got the email yesterday that my preorder is on its way! I like to imagine it is my book you are signing in this photo. 🙃
Maybe it was!
I’m excited to get my signed copy!
I was excited to sign your copy!
Just found out that you are coming to Village Books in Bellingham! I'll bring my book for you to sign.
💚
Pondering Little Shell…
“Differences of race, nationality, or religion should not be used to deny any human being citizenship rights or privileges. Life is to be lived to its fullest so that death is just another chapter. Memories of our lives, of our works, and our deeds will continue in others."
—Rosa Parks
Rosa Parks was born Rosa Louise McCauley in Tuskegee, Alabama, on February 4, 1913, to Leona (née Edwards), a teacher, and James McCauley, a carpenter. In addition to African ancestry, one of Parks's great-grandfathers was Scots-Irish, and one of her great-grandmothers was a part–Native American slave. Mitákuye oyàsin indeed…
The little shell arrived today and I immediately cracked it open and tore through its contents! I couldn’t help myself as familiar places and names poured forth from its pages.
I could go on and on with my own parallel story within the big story, but in the spirit of Joy Harjo and others I offer this “comment”—
From Clan To Tribe
Métis means to be many and yet none
Of course most of us are
Purity is a mirage at best
An outright lie at its worst
We are a Kaleidoscope of melanin
Maya said it best though
We are all more alike than unalike
Some rely on DNA
But it’s an imperfect science
And well, genes mutate you know
I wrote a piece a while back
For Scottish Field & Stream
From Clan to Tribe it was titled
From Scots/Irish of the Gaeltacht
To métis Lakota Métis
Water flows where it wishes
So apparently do Watters
Clan O’hUaruisce, uisce yes, water
Then Maricotte née Marshall to anglicize
French, Irish and Seven Council Fires
Burned out and murdered across the pond
Poor crofters, sharecroppers,
Slaves of the wealthy once
Abandoned to the woolen industry
Human lambs to the slaughter
Then on Turtle Island as Métis
What is the safest identity
Rez or homestead it’s really no choice
Claim to be white or “black Irish”
For to be red is to have your blood spilt
But my father to his credit
Loved the Sioux that we are
He taught me well even if his own denied it
Seven fires yes, especially Sicangu, Brûlée
Bear Woman of the Burnt Thigh she was
Scattered to the four winds
The Watters are to be found
Pine Ridge and Rosebud
All along the Big Muddy
Lakota in Dakota Territory
Some of us “enrolled”
Others denied “membership”
Though we are all family
Even the red have become white
And adopted bureaucracy
As for me in this golden season
I know who I am after all
Yet knowing that includes Métis
I have chosen an appropriate name
I will walk on as anonemoose monk
Patrick Perching Eagle
Pádraig Wanbli Iyotake
}:- a.m.
Thanks for reading, Patrick!
As a long time supporter of High Country News,was thrilled to read the exert from BLS,glad to have preordered!
I'm glad you did too! 😂
I got my signed copy and I am so excited to sit down and enjoy it. Thank you thank you!!
Thank you!
Oh Chris, your book is beautiful. Thank you for signing ❤️
I was happy to sign it for you, Melissa. Miigwech!
So much good stuff coming up! Onward!
So much!
Oooo! I see Amy Tan on that promo images. EXCITING!
also, the design for that Powwow is amazing. It's the kind of design I want to just sit and marvel at for how simple and clear it is.
I'm thrilled with how good of a job they did on it.
Congratulations! Can’t wait to read it. I just went to order my copy from F&F but the link appears to be broken. Just me?
That's curious. I hope it resolved itself!
It’s working again this morning.
Your book (via Fact and Fiction) arrived on my doorstep yesterday. It is a beautiful book--congratulations!
Miigwech!
It was harder than holy heck to not "crack open" the binding on the copy I purchased for the Consortium Library of the University of Alaska/Alaska Pacific University. I wanted to read it. Badly wanted to. Yet, I lovingly wrapped it and mailed it onward. Then I called Fact and Fiction to see if MY copy could be expedited from Media Mail to Priority Mail. Mara said she had just mailed my copy on Monday, so I knew I had to practice some patience. And, then, magic and serendipity joined hands, and, my Media Mail'd copy of Becoming Little Shell arrived in my rural Alaskan post office box three days later.
The house is perfectly quiet, there's no further chores to accomplish. Gonna boil a pot of chai and begin reading.
Miigwech, Chris. This dustcover is the best ever... with all the promotional blurbs and the two very fine photos of YOU, Chris. And, I cannot help but notice gentle similarities across time, Chief Little Shell and you, Chris... your photographic images. Just sayin'.....
❤️
Got my signed copy on Monday and am enjoying it immensely. I’m looking forward to the Potluck on the 20th. So many good things! Thank you .
I'm happy to know you'll be joining us!
What a feast!
My book is arriving today! Thanks for signing it.
Thanks for ordering it!
You're very welcome! And a bookmark too! I do love me a bookstore bookmark.