Lakota Woman ★★★★★

Lakota Woman (Click Here To Buy)

★★★★★

Lakota Woman by Mary Crow Dog is a memoir about a native woman from South Dakota.

My dear friend @medicineheartpllc loaned me this book.

Mary is a Sioux woman from the Rosebud Reservation in South Dakota. Mary's father left the family when she was a child, choosing alcohol over everything. Mary was introduced to alcohol at age 10 by her mother's new husband until she was sent to live with her grandparents. Later, Mary went to an Indian Boarding School where she was beaten regularly by the nuns. As a teenager, Mary decided she wouldn't tolerate that type of treatment anymore and stood up for herself. After leaving boarding school, Mary became involved in AIM, the American Indian Movement, and participated in several demonstrations around the country fighting to reclaim native land and for native rights. In the 1970s during the siege of Wounded Knee, Mary had a son on the land in warlike conditions. Shortly after, Mary and Leonard Crow Dog were married. Leonard was a medicine man and brought back many native dances and traditions. He was tried and sentenced to prison for his involvement in the occupation at Wounded Knee. Mary worked with lawyers and supporters to get him free. Mary continues to advocate for Native rights and lives on the Rosebud Reservation.

This was such a powerful read. I was so inspired by Mary's resilience and perseverance. It is important that we continue to learn and talk about the unjust treatment that native populations have experienced throughout history so that we can better advocate for the freedom and rights of native populations. I highly highly recommend this book.

If you liked Lakota Woman, I also recommend Heart Berries by Terese Marie Mailhot, Braiding Sweetgrass by Robin Wall Kimmerer, Killers of the Flower Moon by Davin Grann, and The Removed by Brandon Hobson.

Happy reading,

Ms.Bjork