What will you learn about history?
This book is broad sweeping family history of four generations that will teach you as much about Lakota culture as it does about U.S. History. It describes how members of the tribe, such as George Dull Knife, assimilated over time. George takes a job working for the tribal police force but still teaches his children Lakota language and cultural traditions. The family makes choice about what they are willing to give up in order to accept a new culture. They are willing to die in American wars and make other sacrifices to retain the right to choose where they would live. The book gives readers a glimpse into the struggle to find balance between two worlds. It also provides insight into how tribes identify themselves more with their environment and lifestyle than with their ethnic group.
The family's history includes personal recollections of the story of Chief Dull Knife who led his people in the 1870s to their northern homeland when they were forced to move from Fort Robinson. This includes a picture of reservation life at Pine Ridge before the last Indian Wars in 1890. George Dull Knife traveled with world with Buffalo Bill Cody and performed traditional dances for his audiences. Guy Dull Knife was sent to Haskell Indian School as part of the government policy in the 1920s to separate and educate. He enlisted in World War I to escape the unlivable conditions at the school.
Why should you read this book?
This story of four generations of one family shows the persistence over time of a family and a fight against the dominance of another culture. Joe Starita presents the experiences of a Lakota family and gives readers a personalized history of over a century of events through the experiences of the Dull Knife family and their tribe. Their story includes Guy Dull Knife Sr., who shares an oral history of Chief Dull Knife. He was responsible for leading his people to their northern homeland when they were forced to move from Forth Robinson. Rather than portray the chief as a tragic here, Starita shows how his sacrifices and those made by some of his people gave his band the right to choose where they would live. Starita adds to the family's history by describing how the life and culture of the Lakota on the Pine Ridge Agency changed and how those who survived adapted to their new circumstances. He includes a tale of those who tribe to revive their traditions and spirtual beliefs at the turn of the century. He uses the stories of George Dull Knife and Guy Dull Knife to illustrate how this family was able to balance between two cultures. George traveled the world and provided for his family by performing traditionsal dances for the audiences of Buffalo Bill cody. This enabled him to gain an understanding of other cultures.
Dull Knifes of Pine Ridge is a well-written historical account. Starita brings the mane and women of the Dull Knife family to life. He has given them strength and integrity, which helps readers identify with them as real people who solved challenging problems. Their story is criftily interwoven with a broader Native American and United States history. He creates images for the events often discussed in dry textbook accounts. His words flow and make his book an easy, relaxing read. One drawback to Starita's portrayal of the Dull Knife family is the tendency to support the stereotype of the Indian warrior. While giving agency to his male characters, Starita shows a fascination with the wars and battles that were fought by the Lakota from the Battle of Little Bighorn to their stand-off with the BIA at Wounded Knee. The men of the family seem to be entranced with the symbolism of the Lakota warrior. It also favors those who identify as full-blooded Lakota. Those of mixed heritage are vilified, such as the "goons" who supported Dickie Wilson in the 1970s. Students who wish to learn more about American history will appreciate the alternative perspective to events of modern history.
