History Corner: Indigenous Voices by Taté Walker

  Disclosure / Disclaimer: I received this ebook, free of charge, from Quatro Group via #netgalley, for review purposes on this blog. No other compensation, monetary or in kind, has been received or implied for this post. Nor was I told how to post about it. All opinions are my own

Immerse yourself in Indigenous Voices, an inspiring volume of quotations by Indigenous thought leaders, activists, politicians, and scholars illustrated with stunning artwork by Indigenous artists.

Synopsis:

This captivating book weaves together the timeless wisdom of Indigenous people from various nations and regions through a mosaic of more than 60 quotes, words, and stories by elders, leaders, activists, scholars, and influential contemporaries spanning all walks of life. Discover the diverse and unique heritage of extraordinary people like:

• Shina Novalinga – A member of the Inuk living in Montreal, Canada, Shina Novalinga is a content creator, singer, and activist who shares her Inuk culture across social media, of which an important aspect is traditional throat singing with her mother.
• Natali Segovia – A member of the Quechua, Natali Segovia is the Executive Director of the Water Protector Legal Collective and a human rights attorney. Her advocacy focuses on defending Water Protectors and human rights defenders facing repression for their activism.
• Corrina Gould – Of the Ohlone, Corrina Gould is the chair and spokesperson for the Confederated Villages of Lisjan, the Co-Director for the Sogorea Te' Land Trust, and the lead organizer for Indian People Organizing for Change.
• Elias Not Afraid – A member of the Apsáalooke (Crow), Elias Not Afraid is a mega-award-winning queer beader and fashion designer. He says, “When people think of native beadwork, they think trinkets and good luck charms and dream catchers but it’s far from it. I create wearable art that is durable and can be used daily and last over a lifetime and be used as a family heirloom.”
• Lily Gladstone – An American actress from the Blackfeet Reservation, Gladstone is of Piegan Blackfeet, Nez Perce, and European heritage. They earned critical acclaim for portraying Mollie Kyle, an Osage woman who survived the Osage Indian murders in Martin Scorsese’s film Killers of the Flower Moon, among other important roles in film and television.
• Kola Shippentower – A member of the Umatilla, Shippentower is the first Native American player for the Oregon Ravens, a tackle football team for women and non-binary players.
• Shiloh Maples – Of the Odawa, Maples is a citizen of the Little River Band of Indians based in Michigan. Through her interest in Indigenous food systems and her own Ojibwe and Odawa heritage, she developed the program Sacred Roots for the American Indian Health and Family Services in Detroit, where she taught cooking classes and promoted dishes using traditional, seasonal, and local ingredients in a way that improved participants’ health while connecting them with their culture.
• Alvera Sargent – Sargent, of the Akwesasne Mohawk, worked with the Akwesasne Freedom School, one of the oldest Indigenous language schools in North America. “My hope for our tribal community at large is that more of our people come back to our traditional space. I am grateful that our time has come as Indigenous people are being recognized for their traditional knowledge systems. The community is recognizing that Indigenous people do have the wisdom of our ancestors to share, which helps all areas of our society.”
• And more!

Part of a diverse series of books that includes Black Voices, Jewish Voices, and Latino Voices—Indigenous Voices offers a unique opportunity to connect with ancient traditions, refresh your perspective with modern insight, and gain awareness and understanding that resonate across cultures and generations.

Review:

This is a book of quotes by various indigenous voices, both known and unknown to the general populace.  You have actors, activists, tribal leaders, but also those who you don't see- the people making strides in unexpected fields- showing how indigenous voices are everywhere- all around us, in all parts of life. There is also a short bio of each speaker, so you know their experience, tribal affliation and current activities. I love how many of the speakers reached out to those who may not have a tribal card-but wanted them to know they ARE indigenous. Blood count is a colonizer concept and it shouldn't be used to separate people from their ancestry, their indigenous. It's also a reminder of what is being lost, and what we should be trying to keep (which is true in sooooo many ancestral cultures in the US today). This book has depth, emotion and truth, making perfect for giving to anyone on your Christmas list.

Editor

Taté Walker (they/them) is a Lokata citizen of the Cheyenne River Sioux Tribe of South Dakota and an award-winning Two Spirit storyteller. Their first full-length poetry book, The Trickster Riots, was published in 2022 by Abalone Mountain Press. Taté, a 2022 Pushcart Prize nominee, has written, photographed, and/or edited for various outlets, including The Nation, Yellow Medicine Review, Pipe Wrench, Apartment Therapy, Everyday Feminism, Native Peoples, Indian Country Today, Subaru Drive, December.

Taté is a co-founder of the Phoenix Two Spirit Community group, which helps organize the annual Arizona Two Spirit Powwow. They are also a longtime member of—and also serve on the board of directors for—the Oceti Sakowin Writers Society, which has a mission to mentor, empower, and promote Lakota, Dakota, and Nakota literary traditions. Taté is a 2023 Storyknife Fireweed Fellow. Taté has 20 years of experience in print/digital journalism and advocacy writing and is a trusted community builder within and for social justice and Tribal education spaces. Learn more at www.jtatewalker.com