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| Louise at 2009 Dartmouth speech. |
Anyway, this little story isn't about me. It's about someone who can put it out there just right whether written or verbal. It's about you and a writer who is there for you to treasure if you haven't already done so.
As a little background, you may already know that I enjoy writing as a hobby. What you don't know is; in comparison Louise makes me feel like a church mouse at the foot of the altar in Saint Peter's basilica. That is why we are here today Ladies and Gentlemen... to inadequately review some of the works of Louise Erdrich.
As it happens (and this is really cool...to me that is) Louise and I are two of 30,000 or so enrolled members of the Turtle Mountain Band of the Chippewa Tribe. Most (many?) of the tribe are mixed blood "Metis"; the most common being French and Indian. My grandmother and grandfather on my Mother's (Chippewa Princess) side were both half French and half Chippewa. Louise, on the other hand is half German and half Chippewa, or so her bio says. She is also an extraordinary mind and will totally engage you if you dare to read one of her many best selling books.
I have known about Louise for quite sometime as many years ago a dear friend (Thanks May U.! - I am sorry I didn't pay more attention back then.) suggested I read some of her work. I held off because I incorrectly thought I would be reading a lot of spiritual "Today is a good day to die" stuff and that is not my interest. Instead, I have encountered a brilliant, imaginative novelist who provides sparkling details about the love, hate, sex, primitive details and beauty of day-to-day-life. She has also exposed me to enough of the Ojibwa (Chippewa) language and gritty reality to help me feel like I am right there in each of her stories.While I have only read three of her books thus far, permit me to suggest that you begin with "The Last Report On The Miracles At Little No Horse." You will be hooked immediately in the Prologue as you learn the origins of Father Damien. You will get caught up over and over again in passages such as those about the "naked woman playing Chopin", the moose, canoe and the remarkable loves of Agnes Dewitt. When finished, you may also agree with me; it is a stark, sensuous story that would make a great movie for the ages. Two others I have read and loved so far; the "Plague of Doves" and "Love Medicine." Thankfully, I have many more to look forward to.
And now, here is a little pearl from Louise I just discovered, her 2009 Dartmouth commencement speech... short but sweet! Even if you don't get to one of her books check it out.
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| Great Grandmother and Father Dubois |
Thank you Louise and my apologies...you deserve a lot better reviews than this one but there is no professional reviewer out there who could do you justice anyway.
Finally, just to bring it all closer to home, the photo to the right is of my great grandfather and grandmother Dubois. It was taken somewhere in the Dakotas on what appears to be a nice day sometime around the turn of the century. Can you guess which is French and which is Chippewa?
From the stern look of admonishment (?) on their faces, I would suggest they are both looking directly at me and have been considerably sobered by what I have become. But then the more I think about it, it is probably my son Tyler they are looking at, or both! (If you click once on the photo, it might enlarge to full scale... notice Tyler and Samantha's great great grand daddy is wearing coveralls along with his snappy white shirt, tie and vest! Could be a fashion trend for Ty to set when he is on stage!)
Finally, just to bring it all closer to home, the photo to the right is of my great grandfather and grandmother Dubois. It was taken somewhere in the Dakotas on what appears to be a nice day sometime around the turn of the century. Can you guess which is French and which is Chippewa?
From the stern look of admonishment (?) on their faces, I would suggest they are both looking directly at me and have been considerably sobered by what I have become. But then the more I think about it, it is probably my son Tyler they are looking at, or both! (If you click once on the photo, it might enlarge to full scale... notice Tyler and Samantha's great great grand daddy is wearing coveralls along with his snappy white shirt, tie and vest! Could be a fashion trend for Ty to set when he is on stage!)
What is Zahgidiwin? It's "Love" in Chippewa.
4 comments:
Thank you for this great overview and recommendation. I enjoyed all the links, and learned things I didn't know. What does Zahgidiwin mean? So, is it your great grandmother or great grandfather who is French? Louise's commencement speech contained many treasures. Thank you for finding it.
Thank you Annie... "Zahgidiwin" means love. The man in the photo is French. Both are on my Grandmother's side. My grandfathers parents, also on my Mother's side, were the same... one French and one Indian. I would guess it would be a Frenchman again in this case as, according to my great aunt, the French trappers working for the Hudson's Bay Company coveted the Chippewa squaws. My aunt said they would have socials (dances) and the Chippewa would bring pies and stuff. The trappers would bid on the food items and 'winners' would match up with the cook as well for dances and an evening of socializing. That is what she said anyway. I interviewed her once and took pitiful notes. I wish I would have spent more time asking her about the times.
Oh my. Thanks for the link to the commencement speech. Best I've ever read. And for the great picture. Granddad looks familiar...
Thanks Chuck... Yes, that is a terrific speech. I wanted to capture the link so I could read it again from time to time. You gotta tackle some of her books if you haven't already...
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