"Round House"

My brother, David Claud William and I are enrolled members of  the
Turtle Mountain Band of the Chippewa Tribe

This means we are at least 1/4 Native American
As defined by the Blood Quantum Laws of the United States

Neither of really have a clue of the significance of that
Not having found out until we were in our 20's
The "Why?" of that is here: 

Chippewa Princess

Yes,  it is likely true that all 30,00 enrolled members

Of the Turtle Mountain Band

Would like to think that their Mothers were princesses

And that is ok - it is a title that fits most mothers 

Without regard to nationality right?!

The point here is

Neither David nor I 

Know of details about day to day life

On a reservation

Or anywhere around a band of Chippewa

So, it is probably natural that curiosity 

Would drive us to books and articles on the subject

We have found there is not much out there

Some (actually very little) history

But nothing that really tells us 

What life was like on a homestead in Montana

During the Depression

Or what life was like on the reservation before that

That is part of what makes a book like 

"Round House" by Louise Erdrich so special

Her book has the gritty ring of authenticity 

That tells me she has been there and knows

And that she has talked to others who know

For more, this link includes a New York Times review that refers

To the book as "Flawed but powerful."

I didn't notice the "flawed" part 

But sure did notice the powerful part

Louise also wraps a story of rape and murder 

Around this that makes me certain it will make a terrific film

And I hope that comes across as a compliment

Thank you Louise... for a great story

And some compelling insight into 

Life on the "res."

Note:  "Round House" is the thirteenth of Louise's novels.  It won the 2012 National Book Award for fiction.