They Called Me Uncivilized: The Memoir of an Everyday Lakota Man

Walter Littlemoon's memoir recounts his experiences as a Lakota man born in 1942 on the Pine Ridge Indian Reservation in South Dakota. The narrative spans his childhood years in the 1940s and 50s through his adult life, documenting his path through trauma and healing. The book details Littlemoon's forced attendance at an Indian boarding school and its impact on his life and identity. His account provides documentation of federal Indian policies and their effects on Native American families and communities during the mid-twentieth century. Through personal stories and reflections, Littlemoon shares his journey of understanding and addressing the historical trauma that shaped his life and the lives of many Native Americans. The memoir stands as a testament to survival and resilience, while examining the complex relationship between personal healing and cultural preservation.

Readers highlight this memoir's raw honesty in depicting intergenerational trauma and boarding school impacts. The firsthand account provides insight into Lakota life and culture not found in academic texts. Likes: - Personal storytelling makes complex issues accessible - Clear writing style without academic jargon - Includes both personal healing and broader cultural context - Valuable perspective on reservation life in the 1940s-50s - Co-authored structure adds historical background Dislikes: - Some found the writing unpolished - A few readers wanted more details about certain periods - Structure jumps between time periods Ratings: Goodreads: 4.1/5 (39 ratings) Amazon: 4.5/5 (22 reviews) "A powerful testament to survival," wrote one Amazon reviewer. Another noted: "His story tells what textbooks leave out." A Goodreads user called it "required reading for anyone working with Native communities."

Black Elk Speaks by John G. Neihardt The first-hand account of a Lakota holy man describes his life experiences and spiritual visions during the late 1800s through the Wounded Knee massacre.

The Absolutely True Diary of a Part-Time Indian by Sherman Alexie A Native American teenager's memoir chronicles his journey between his reservation and an all-white high school while navigating cultural identity and family obligations.

Lakota Woman by Mary Crow Dog, Richard Erdoes This memoir documents a Lakota woman's life on the Rosebud Indian Reservation and her involvement in the American Indian Movement during the 1970s.

The Journey of Crazy Horse: A Lakota History by Joseph M. Marshall III This biography presents the life story of the Lakota leader through traditional oral history and first-hand accounts passed down through generations.

Waterlily by Ella Cara Deloria This narrative follows a Dakota girl's life in a nineteenth-century tribal community, revealing daily customs, traditions, and social structures of Plains Indian life.

🌟 Walter Littlemoon attended a federal Indian boarding school in South Dakota at age five, where he was forbidden to speak his native language or practice Lakota traditions. 🌟 The memoir was adapted into the PBS documentary "The Thick Dark Fog," which explores the lasting trauma of Indian boarding schools on Native American communities. 🌟 Littlemoon's book was one of the first personal accounts to openly discuss Post Traumatic Stress Disorder (PTSD) in Native Americans resulting from boarding school experiences. 🌟 The author grew up on the Pine Ridge Indian Reservation, which remains one of the poorest regions in the United States, with unemployment rates often exceeding 80%. 🌟 Littlemoon worked with his wife, Jane Ridgway, to document his story, as many boarding school survivors of his generation were reluctant to share their experiences due to shame and trauma.