Review by Riley Burr
Title: #NotYourPrincess: Voices of Native American Women edited by Lisa Charleyboy and Mary Beth Leatherdale, 9781554519583, Annick Press, Publishers Group West, September 12, 2017, $12.95, 116 pp.
Genre: Young Adult Contemporary Poetry (Focus on Social Injustice)
Characters: In #NotYourPrincess: Voices of Native American Women, there is no centrality in terms on a main character or plot. However, this contemporary collection of Native American Women’s art and literature is collected to create a beautiful collaboration to expose the main injustices of their identity. All of the women featured belong and identify to a Native American tribe in the United States of America. Additionally, all of the expression of emotion by each of the women vary, creating a collection of diverse pieces that illuminate the similar injustices to the reader. In terms of age, Charleyboy and Leatherdale include women varying in age. This inclusion, often rare in published works, indicates the magnitude that these injustices impose on the lives of Native American women of all ages.
Plot: Instead of a concrete plot provided in #NotYourPrincess: Voices of Native American Women, the literary and creative works are organized into four different chapters: The Ties that Bind Us, It Could Have Been Me, I am Not Your Princess, and Pathfinders. Within each chapter, a common theme, indicated by the chapter title, is illuminated through the works of various women. Often coupled with works of art, these pieces allow the reader to understand the sexualization, marginalization, and oppression experiences by Native American Women. In “The Ties that Bind Us” chapter, the women authors discuss experiences with historical pain and shame, as well as struggles with identification in modern society. Throughout the chapter of “It Could Have Been Me”, women revel the communities ongoing difficulty with sexual violence with its young women. Additionally, a tone of regret and pain lingers during the works, revealing the struggle for Native American women to conform or survive with their identity intact. The chapter of “I am Not Your Princess” supports a reclamation of these women’s powerful and worthy identities through dismissive tones and powerful examples. “Pathfinders” wraps up the important collection with positive representation of Native American women dispelling false identifications and regaining control over their lives. All sections of this collection reveal the deep wounds inflicted on every Native American women, historically and currently, and their struggle to surpass society’s restrictive, identifying chains.
Touchy Areas: The main touchy area, in my opinion, would be the examples referring to sexual violence and assault of young Native American girls and women. Additionally, the mockery to one’s culture might be triggering to some readers. While there are areas surrounding difficult topics, all are important to be aware of and discuss with one another.
Related Titles: Dreaming in Indian: Contemporary Native American Voices by Lisa Charleyboy, Urban Tribes: Native Americans in the City by Lisa Charleyboy and Mary Beth Leatherdale, The Marrow Thieves by Cherie Dimaline, The Absolutely True Diary of a Part-Time Indian by Sherman Alexie & Ellen ForneyContemporary Native American Author: Tommy Orange (There, There) or Marie Mailhot (Heart Berries)
Contemporary Book with Similar Themes/Different Culture: Voices of Asian Americans in Higher Education: Unheard Stories edited by Festus Obiakor & Ying Hui-Michael
Movies: We Shall Remain (2009), Images of Indians: How Hollywood Stereotyped the Native American (2003), Reel Injun (2009
Music: Kelly Derrickson “I Am” (2017), Callie Bennet “Awake, Arise, and Shine” (2017), Thana Redhawk “Fires of Thunder” (2018)
Poem: “Grief Calls Us to the Things of This World” by Sherman Alexie, “Once the World Was Perfect” by Joy Harjo
Classic Work: “All The World’s A Stage” by William Shakespeare
Art: “Hearts of Our People” Art Exhibition (U.S.’s first ever exhibition devoted to the works of Native American Women) https://www.pbs.org/newshour/show/a-groundbreaking-exhibition-finally-tells-the-stories-of-native-women-artists
Evaluation: Overall, I found this collection of literary works and art to be inspiring and important. While I am from Chicago, I understand the lack of cultural awareness I might have when it comes to Native America and its peoples. However, in Oklahoma, we are at the heartland of Native America. This collection reveal the underlying issues in their communities, ranging from sexual violence, systematic oppression, and overall mockery/sexualization of Native American women. Due the robbing of their land, these communities, particularly these women, had to bear the unjustified consequences for decades. The inclusion of all types of literary works and art from all ages was refreshing and important, highlighting how all ages are affected by these injustices. The presentation of such dark, deep issues embedded into their identity allows all ages to read with understanding. I appreciated the honesty by every women through their works, something I often find is hidden due to worry of offending or dramatizating one’s opinions or experience. These are real women with real issues that deserve to be heard, validated, and provided proactive change during their lifetime. I would give this work an 8/10.
Review by Grayce DeMent
Title: #NotYourPrincess: Voices of Native America Women Edited by Lisa Charleyboy and Mary Beth Leatherdale, 978-1-55451-958-3, Annick Press, 2017, 19.95, 109 pp.
Genre: Anthology of creative writing
Characters: This book is an anthology of various work from various Indigenous women. There are no main characters, but there are many different women that write the pieces in this book. There are Indigenous women that are Cree, Metis, Cherokee, Meskwaki, Navajo, Sioux, and others. They tell their experiences through poems, artwork, essays, and interviews.
Plot: Since this book is an anthology, there is no plot. There are different types of works in this book, all by Indigenous women. There are drawings, poems, essays, comics, interviews, photographs, and even social media pages. There are also a variety of women that are part of this anthology. There are activists, poets, artists, actresses, high school students, professionals (doctors), and athletes. All of these women come together in this book to create a picture of life for Indigenous women. There are shared themes that are tackled through out the anthology. They deal with what it means to be a Native American woman. They deal with facing their identity and dealing with internal shame and depression. They deal with sexual abuse and alcoholism. They deal with intergenerational pain and their connection with ancestors. Throughout the entire book, there is also a theme of hope for the future. Indigenous woman can thrive and overcome, and this is what is shown in the anthology.
Touchy areas: There are tough topics that are covered in this book, including sexual abuse and alcoholism. However, there are no graphic moments. These topics are simply mentioned.
Related Titles: Dreaming in Indian: Contemporary Native Ameican Voices by Mary Beth Leatherdale and Lisa Charleyboy (2016), Hearts Unbroken by Cynthia Leitich Smith (2018), Go Home! By Rowan Hisayo Buchanan- Anthology of Asian American writings (2018)
Movies: Reel Injun (2009), Smoke Signals (1998) Music: “Stadium Pow Wow” by A Tribe Called Red (2017), “You’ve Got To Run” by Buffy Sainte-Marie &Tanya Tagaq
Poem: “Perhaps the World Ends Here” by Joy Harjo
Classic Work: Love Medicine by Louise Erdrich (1984)
Art: “The Indian Church” By Marry Sully
Evaluation: I really enjoyed reading this book. Since there is a variety of works, there is something that can interest any reader. I also enjoyed the artwork that was included with the writings. All of the works came together to form a bigger picture of life for Indigenous women. I thought that it would be inspirational for young Native American women to see a book like this. They would see themselves reflected in these stories and see that there are women like them that can be successful despite their struggles. I would recommend this to all female students (7th grade and up) and students that care about different kinds of art and writing. 10/10.
Title: #NotYourPrincess: Voices of Native American Women edited by Lisa Charleyboy and Mary Beth Leatherdale, 9781554519583, Annick Press, Publishers Group West, September 12, 2017, $12.95, 116 pp.
Genre: Young Adult Contemporary Poetry (Focus on Social Injustice)
Characters: In #NotYourPrincess: Voices of Native American Women, there is no centrality in terms on a main character or plot. However, this contemporary collection of Native American Women’s art and literature is collected to create a beautiful collaboration to expose the main injustices of their identity. All of the women featured belong and identify to a Native American tribe in the United States of America. Additionally, all of the expression of emotion by each of the women vary, creating a collection of diverse pieces that illuminate the similar injustices to the reader. In terms of age, Charleyboy and Leatherdale include women varying in age. This inclusion, often rare in published works, indicates the magnitude that these injustices impose on the lives of Native American women of all ages.
Plot: Instead of a concrete plot provided in #NotYourPrincess: Voices of Native American Women, the literary and creative works are organized into four different chapters: The Ties that Bind Us, It Could Have Been Me, I am Not Your Princess, and Pathfinders. Within each chapter, a common theme, indicated by the chapter title, is illuminated through the works of various women. Often coupled with works of art, these pieces allow the reader to understand the sexualization, marginalization, and oppression experiences by Native American Women. In “The Ties that Bind Us” chapter, the women authors discuss experiences with historical pain and shame, as well as struggles with identification in modern society. Throughout the chapter of “It Could Have Been Me”, women revel the communities ongoing difficulty with sexual violence with its young women. Additionally, a tone of regret and pain lingers during the works, revealing the struggle for Native American women to conform or survive with their identity intact. The chapter of “I am Not Your Princess” supports a reclamation of these women’s powerful and worthy identities through dismissive tones and powerful examples. “Pathfinders” wraps up the important collection with positive representation of Native American women dispelling false identifications and regaining control over their lives. All sections of this collection reveal the deep wounds inflicted on every Native American women, historically and currently, and their struggle to surpass society’s restrictive, identifying chains.
Touchy Areas: The main touchy area, in my opinion, would be the examples referring to sexual violence and assault of young Native American girls and women. Additionally, the mockery to one’s culture might be triggering to some readers. While there are areas surrounding difficult topics, all are important to be aware of and discuss with one another.
Related Titles: Dreaming in Indian: Contemporary Native American Voices by Lisa Charleyboy, Urban Tribes: Native Americans in the City by Lisa Charleyboy and Mary Beth Leatherdale, The Marrow Thieves by Cherie Dimaline, The Absolutely True Diary of a Part-Time Indian by Sherman Alexie & Ellen ForneyContemporary Native American Author: Tommy Orange (There, There) or Marie Mailhot (Heart Berries)
Contemporary Book with Similar Themes/Different Culture: Voices of Asian Americans in Higher Education: Unheard Stories edited by Festus Obiakor & Ying Hui-Michael
Movies: We Shall Remain (2009), Images of Indians: How Hollywood Stereotyped the Native American (2003), Reel Injun (2009
Music: Kelly Derrickson “I Am” (2017), Callie Bennet “Awake, Arise, and Shine” (2017), Thana Redhawk “Fires of Thunder” (2018)
Poem: “Grief Calls Us to the Things of This World” by Sherman Alexie, “Once the World Was Perfect” by Joy Harjo
Classic Work: “All The World’s A Stage” by William Shakespeare
Art: “Hearts of Our People” Art Exhibition (U.S.’s first ever exhibition devoted to the works of Native American Women) https://www.pbs.org/newshour/show/a-groundbreaking-exhibition-finally-tells-the-stories-of-native-women-artists
Evaluation: Overall, I found this collection of literary works and art to be inspiring and important. While I am from Chicago, I understand the lack of cultural awareness I might have when it comes to Native America and its peoples. However, in Oklahoma, we are at the heartland of Native America. This collection reveal the underlying issues in their communities, ranging from sexual violence, systematic oppression, and overall mockery/sexualization of Native American women. Due the robbing of their land, these communities, particularly these women, had to bear the unjustified consequences for decades. The inclusion of all types of literary works and art from all ages was refreshing and important, highlighting how all ages are affected by these injustices. The presentation of such dark, deep issues embedded into their identity allows all ages to read with understanding. I appreciated the honesty by every women through their works, something I often find is hidden due to worry of offending or dramatizating one’s opinions or experience. These are real women with real issues that deserve to be heard, validated, and provided proactive change during their lifetime. I would give this work an 8/10.
Review by Grayce DeMent
Title: #NotYourPrincess: Voices of Native America Women Edited by Lisa Charleyboy and Mary Beth Leatherdale, 978-1-55451-958-3, Annick Press, 2017, 19.95, 109 pp.
Genre: Anthology of creative writing
Characters: This book is an anthology of various work from various Indigenous women. There are no main characters, but there are many different women that write the pieces in this book. There are Indigenous women that are Cree, Metis, Cherokee, Meskwaki, Navajo, Sioux, and others. They tell their experiences through poems, artwork, essays, and interviews.
Plot: Since this book is an anthology, there is no plot. There are different types of works in this book, all by Indigenous women. There are drawings, poems, essays, comics, interviews, photographs, and even social media pages. There are also a variety of women that are part of this anthology. There are activists, poets, artists, actresses, high school students, professionals (doctors), and athletes. All of these women come together in this book to create a picture of life for Indigenous women. There are shared themes that are tackled through out the anthology. They deal with what it means to be a Native American woman. They deal with facing their identity and dealing with internal shame and depression. They deal with sexual abuse and alcoholism. They deal with intergenerational pain and their connection with ancestors. Throughout the entire book, there is also a theme of hope for the future. Indigenous woman can thrive and overcome, and this is what is shown in the anthology.
Touchy areas: There are tough topics that are covered in this book, including sexual abuse and alcoholism. However, there are no graphic moments. These topics are simply mentioned.
Related Titles: Dreaming in Indian: Contemporary Native Ameican Voices by Mary Beth Leatherdale and Lisa Charleyboy (2016), Hearts Unbroken by Cynthia Leitich Smith (2018), Go Home! By Rowan Hisayo Buchanan- Anthology of Asian American writings (2018)
Movies: Reel Injun (2009), Smoke Signals (1998) Music: “Stadium Pow Wow” by A Tribe Called Red (2017), “You’ve Got To Run” by Buffy Sainte-Marie &Tanya Tagaq
Poem: “Perhaps the World Ends Here” by Joy Harjo
Classic Work: Love Medicine by Louise Erdrich (1984)
Art: “The Indian Church” By Marry Sully
Evaluation: I really enjoyed reading this book. Since there is a variety of works, there is something that can interest any reader. I also enjoyed the artwork that was included with the writings. All of the works came together to form a bigger picture of life for Indigenous women. I thought that it would be inspirational for young Native American women to see a book like this. They would see themselves reflected in these stories and see that there are women like them that can be successful despite their struggles. I would recommend this to all female students (7th grade and up) and students that care about different kinds of art and writing. 10/10.