Lakota Woman

Lakota Woman is Mary Brave Bird's 1990 memoir about her experiences as a Sicangu Lakota woman growing up on the Rosebud Indian Reservation in South Dakota. The book chronicles her life from childhood through her involvement with the American Indian Movement (AIM) in the early 1970s. Written with editor Richard Erdoes, the narrative includes firsthand accounts of major historical events including the 1972 Trail of Broken Treaties march and the 1973 occupation of Wounded Knee. The memoir also documents Brave Bird's experiences with traditional Lakota spirituality and the Native American Church. The American Book Award-winning autobiography captures a pivotal period in Native American civil rights history while examining themes of cultural identity, resistance, and spiritual awakening in modern Native American life.

Readers value Mary Crow Dog's unvarnished account of Native American activism and Lakota life in the 1970s. Many note her raw, straightforward writing style that details both personal struggles and broader political movements. Readers highlight: - First-hand perspective of AIM protests and Wounded Knee occupation - Cultural insights into Lakota traditions and ceremonies - Brutal honesty about reservation hardships and discrimination - Strong female voice describing Native women's experiences Common criticisms: - Jumps between timeframes without clear transitions - Some readers find the tone bitter or angry - Questions about co-author Richard Erdoes' influence on the narrative Ratings: Goodreads: 4.2/5 (9,400+ ratings) Amazon: 4.6/5 (580+ ratings) One reader notes: "Her storytelling pulls no punches about the reality of reservation life." Another writes: "The timeline confused me - had to reread sections to understand when events occurred."

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🗿 The book's co-author Richard Erdoes documented Native American culture through more than 40 books and spent extensive time living among various tribes to ensure authentic representation. 🏆 Mary Brave Bird changed her name multiple times throughout her life - from Mary Brave Bird to Mary Crow Dog, and finally to Mary Brave Bird Crow Dog - reflecting her personal evolution and marriages. ⚡ The occupation of Wounded Knee in 1973, featured prominently in the book, lasted 71 days and involved 200 Oglala Lakota activists confronting federal agents in a standoff that captured national attention. 🌟 At just 17 years old, Mary gave birth to her first child during the Wounded Knee occupation, with bullets flying overhead - a powerful scene that became one of the book's most memorable moments. 🎓 The residential boarding schools described in the memoir were part of a government program that separated approximately 100,000 Native American children from their families between 1869 and the 1960s.