OURS TO TELL

A concise yet comprehensive book that balances the historical and contemporary stories of Indigenous people.

“The stories people tell about us matter,” Yellowhorn (Piikani Nation) and Lowinger write in their introduction. They follow broad and inclusive definitions of stories and of storytellers, including, in addition to authors of various types, an anthropologist, a diarist, a comic book creator, fabric and bead artists, and those who bore witness in courtrooms. Within each section, the profiles cover diverse figures, such as popular Mohawk poet Pauline Johnson (1861-1913), who performed her poetry on stage and challenged racist and sexist limitations, and acclaimed contemporary writer Tommy Orange (Cheyenne and Arapaho), whose writing makes “urban Indigenous people visible.” The authors showcase Indigenous people as part of the present day, and their focus extends across the Americas, with people representing the Maya, Sioux, Métis, and Inupiaq, among others. In the process, they tell a more complete story of Indigenous existence than readers typically encounter. Throughout the book, images showing art, letters, portraits, and historical artifacts add to the visual appeal. Sidebars add context on topics such as “Urban Indigeneity” and “Mapping Our Story,” as well as offering mini biographical sketches. While celebrating individuals and communities, the authors don’t sugarcoat difficult information, like the trauma of boarding schools and poverty. The straightforward writing style makes this work accessible and welcoming.

An appealing introduction to voices and stories that need to be heard.