Indian Nations of Wisconsin: Histories of Endurance and Renewal
(Review is for first edition) This unprecedented published history of Wisconsin's Indian nations for the general public is a wonderful resource for older teens and for teachers of any grade. Patty Loew, an enrolled member of the Bad River Band of Lake Superior Ojibwe, writes in her introduction, "This is by no means an exhaustive study of the tribes in the state. It is my earnest attempt, however, to explore Wisconsin's rich native heritage in a collection of compact tribal histories...I confined my discussion to the twelve Indian nations...whose presence predated Wisconsin statehood and who have maintained a continuous residence here." Those nations are the Ho-Chunk, the Menominee, the Potawatomi, the Oneida, the Mohican, the Brothertown, and the six bands of Ojibwe. An opening chapter examines the early history of native peoples in the state, including the Effigy Mound Builders and the Mississippians, noting the connections of these cultures to contemporary Wisconsin native peoples. The book documents the impact of European arrival in a general way in the second chapter. Subsequent chapters discuss individual tribes and their histories, including the too-often-tragic impact of white settlement, but also the richness of tribal cultures and traditions. Loew emphasizes the uniqueness of each nation. She also addresses the challenge of documenting a chronological "history" of peoples who organize their pasts thematically and for whom "stories unfold in a circular fashion." This important work fills a void in the histories of many of Wisconsin's native peoples. ©2001 Cooperative Children's Book Center
CCBC Age Recommendation: Age 13 and older
Age Range:
Grades 6-8 (Ages 11-13)
Grades 9-12 (Age 14 and older)
Format:
Substantial Narrative Non-Fiction
Subjects:
18th Century
19th Century
20th Century
Brothertown People
Colonialism
First/Native Nations
Ho-Chunk People
Menominee Peole
Mohican People
Ojibwe People
Oneida People
Potawatomi People
Racism
Resiliency
Survival
U.S. History
Diversity subject:
Indigenous
Publisher:
Wisconsin Historical Society
Publish Year: 2013
Pages: 240
ISBN: 9780870205033
CCBC Location: Non-Fiction, 977 Loew