May 6, 2020

There There (2018)
By Tommy Orange

Though the language is sometimes coarse and the characters down on their luck and often hostile, this story by Cheyenne tribal member Tommy Orange gives me a good sense of the struggles of urban American Indians.  Orange includes a prologue about the native Americans sad history after European arrival: from King Philip's war through Wounded Knee - basically a summary of loss and death.  While I tend to think of today's Indians as "on the rez", many Indians have flocked to cities, and Oakland, CA is host to a large native community, as well as host to one of the largest annual powwows, an event that becomes the main event for which all of the various characters are preparing.  Some, like Tony, a victim of fetal alcohol syndrome, are looking for a chance to make a quick buck.  Dene wants to interview participants to record their stories.  Edwin is an intern working with the powwow's organizer, while 14-year-old Orvil looks forward to his first opportunity to dance.  In all, about a dozen different speakers share their stories, some from a first person perspective, some 3rd person, and one even in 2nd person.  It took 2 readings for me to appreciate all of the connections in this book, as well as the poignancy of the struggles faced by Americans Indians today, the descendants of our land's first stewards, now sidelined and many with substance abuse and other health problems, some without hope.