Ohitika Woman

Ohitika Woman is Mary Brave Bird's (also known as Mary Crow Dog) autobiographical account of her life as a Sicangu Lakota woman in the 1970s and 1980s. The book serves as a continuation of her previous memoir Lakota Woman, chronicling her experiences after the Wounded Knee occupation of 1973. Through first-person narrative, Brave Bird details her struggles with poverty, motherhood, and preserving Native American traditions while navigating modern American society. She recounts her involvement with the American Indian Movement (AIM) and her marriage to medicine man Leonard Crow Dog, set against the backdrop of reservation life. The memoir provides documentation of Lakota ceremonies, customs, and spiritual practices, along with observations about the changes in Native American communities during this period. Brave Bird's account includes both personal stories and broader commentary on social issues affecting Indigenous peoples. This work stands as both a personal testimony and a historical record, examining themes of cultural identity, resistance, and survival in contemporary Native American life. The narrative captures the tension between traditional ways and modern pressures while highlighting the ongoing struggle for Indigenous rights and dignity.

Readers find Ohitika Woman provides raw, honest insights into Native American life and activism through Mary Crow Dog's personal story. Many appreciate her straightforward writing style and unflinching accounts of both reservation hardships and AIM protests. Readers highlight the book's depiction of motherhood, spirituality, and cultural identity. Several note the value of hearing directly from a woman involved in the American Indian Movement rather than through outside perspectives. Some readers say the narrative feels disjointed and hard to follow at times. A few mention wanting more detail about certain events or feeling the tone becomes bitter. Ratings: Goodreads: 4.2/5 (1,400+ ratings) Amazon: 4.5/5 (90+ ratings) Common reader comments: "Powerful voice for Indigenous women's experiences" "Important first-hand account of AIM" "Writing style can be choppy" "Honest but sometimes jumps between topics" "Valuable companion to Lakota Woman"

Black Elk Speaks by John G. Neihardt The spiritual and historical account of a Lakota medicine man provides insights into Native American traditions and resistance during the same era as Ohitika Woman.

Lakota Woman by Mary Crow Dog, Richard Erdoes This predecessor to Ohitika Woman chronicles Mary Crow Dog's earlier life and involvement in the American Indian Movement.

The Absolutely True Diary of a Part-Time Indian by Sherman Alexie A Native American teenager navigates between his reservation and a predominantly white school while maintaining his cultural identity and facing modern indigenous challenges.

Two Old Women by Velma Wallis This retelling of an Athabascan Indian legend examines survival, tribal customs, and female resilience in Native American culture.

The Round House by Louise Erdrich A tribal woman's assault on a North Dakota reservation leads to an examination of justice, tribal laws, and Native American family bonds.

🌟 Mary Crow Dog's original name was Mary Brave Bird; she took the name Crow Dog after marrying Leonard Crow Dog, a spiritual leader of the American Indian Movement. 🏃‍♀️ The book is a sequel to "Lakota Woman" and continues her personal story of activism, spirituality, and life on the Rosebud Indian Reservation. ⚡ During the 71-day occupation of Wounded Knee in 1973, Mary gave birth to her first child inside a church while under siege by federal agents. 🎓 Despite facing significant hardships, including poverty and discrimination, Mary Crow Dog later earned her GED and became an influential voice for Native American rights. 🌿 The book details traditional Lakota ceremonies and healing practices, including the sacred Sun Dance ritual, which Mary participated in multiple times throughout her life.