Book Review
We Are Water Protectors by Carole Lindstrom
Overview
Carole Lindstrom's We Are Water Protectors, illustrated by Michaela Goade, is a powerful and visually captivating children's book that addresses the urgent issue of water protection through the lens of Native American activism. Published in 2020, the book was inspired by the Standing Rock Sioux Tribe's opposition to the Dakota Access Pipeline and serves as a call to action to protect the Earth's most vital resource.
The narrative centers on a young Native girl who takes a stand against a black snake — a metaphor for the oil pipeline — threatening her community's water supply. Through lyrical prose and strong illustrations, Lindstrom and Goade convey the importance of water as a sacred, life-giving force. The protagonist speaks with a voice that is both poetic and urgent, calling upon her community to unite against environmental destruction.
Goade's illustrations, richly layered with symbolic imagery, reinforce the themes of unity, resistance, and interconnectedness with nature. Her use of vibrant blues, greens, and earth tones creates a striking visual language that not only honors Native culture but also conveys the gravity of the environmental message.
Critical Analysis
One of the book's most compelling aspects is its ability to convey a serious, complex issue in a way that is accessible to young readers. Lindstrom's prose is spare yet impactful, using repetitive, chant-like phrasing that echoes traditional Native storytelling. For example, the refrain, "We stand / With our songs / And our drums. / We are still here," reinforces both the presence and resilience of Indigenous people while simultaneously underscoring the collective nature of the water protection movement.
Another significant element is the depiction of the black snake as an ominous and invasive entity. This metaphor, while simple, effectively illustrates the destructive nature of pipelines and other industrial projects that threaten natural resources. Goade's artwork amplifies this imagery, with the black snake winding ominously through otherwise serene, natural landscapes. The contrast between the snake's dark, imposing presence and the vibrant colors of the natural world underscores the threat posed by such projects.
Moreover, the book successfully fosters a sense of agency and responsibility in its young readers. By centering the narrative on a child protagonist, Lindstrom underscores the role of youth in the ongoing fight to protect the Earth. The protagonist's resolute stance — "I must keep the black snake away from my village's water. I must rally my people together" serves as a powerful call to action, encouraging children to recognize their own power and voice in environmental activism.
Conclusion
We Are Water Protectors is a timely, urgent, and visually stunning book that not only educates young readers about environmental and Indigenous issues but also empowers them to take a stand for what they believe in. Through poetic prose and compelling visuals, Lindstrom and Goade offer a deeply resonant narrative that serves as both a tribute to the Standing Rock Sioux and a universal call for water protection. The book is a must-read for families, educators, and anyone interested in teaching children about environmental stewardship and the power of collective action.
Hearts Unbroken by Cynthia Leitich Smith
Overview
In Hearts Unbroken, Cynthia Leitich Smith presents a compelling young adult novel that explores the intersections of race, identity, and love in a predominantly white suburban high school setting. The story follows Louise Wolfe, a high school senior of Muscogee Creek descent, as she navigates the complexities of being Native American in a community that is largely ignorant or indifferent to her culture. When her brother Hugh becomes the target of racist bullying after being cast in the school musical, Lou must grapple with her identity, her budding romance with Joey Kairouz, and her growing role as a student journalist covering these divisive issues.
Critical Analysis
Smith's narrative is both timely and resonant, offering readers a candid portrayal of modern-day racism and the internalized pressure faced by Native youth to either conform or resist. The protagonist, Lou, is characterized with nuance; her internal dialogue is laced with frustration, humor, and self-awareness, making her a relatable and compelling voice. The novel's dialogue is sharp, and Smith skillfully balances lighthearted moments of teenage romance with the heavier, more sobering experiences of racial tension and microaggressions.
One of the novel's most impactful scenes involves Lou's reaction to the school's decision to stage The Wizard of Oz with color-blind casting. While the production is touted as progressive, Lou's brother Hugh's backlash, particularly the derogatory comments from parents and peers, reveals the insidious nature of virtue signaling. This moment underscores the complexities of representation, prompting readers to question who truly benefits from so-called inclusive practices.
Another poignant example is Lou's journalism assignment, where she covers the controversy surrounding the school play. The conflict between her personal convictions and journalistic responsibilities reflects the broader struggle of many Native writers, caught between truth-telling and the pressure to assimilate. Smith's handling of this dilemma is both authentic and insightful, offering a layered critique of how media narratives are shaped and controlled.
In addition to the social and cultural critique, Smith weaves in moments of tenderness and humor, particularly in Lou's interactions with Joey. Their romance, while sweet, is also fraught with the tensions of cultural misunderstanding and the challenges of interracial dating. Smith uses these interactions to probe the complexities of identity further, subtly illustrating how even well-meaning allies can perpetuate harmful assumptions.
Conclusion
Hearts Unbroken is a powerful and thought-provoking novel that deftly examines the intersections of race, identity, and adolescence. Cynthia Leitich Smith's portrayal of Lou's journey is as compelling as necessary, offering young readers a nuanced perspective on the contemporary Native experience. By addressing racism and advocacy through a high school setting lens, Smith engages with timely social issues and fosters greater empathy and awareness in her readers. For Native youth seeking representation in YA literature—or for anyone interested in stories that challenge the status quo—Hearts Unbroken is an essential read.
Power by Linda Hogan
Overview
Linda Hogan's Power is a poignant exploration of the clash between traditional Native American culture and contemporary American society. Set in the swamps of Florida, the novel weaves together the lives of a young girl named Omishto, her mother, and her cryptic aunt Ama. When Ama kills a sacred panther, Omishto finds herself caught between the demands of her Native Taiga community and the world outside. Hogan, a celebrated Chickasaw author and environmentalist, uses Omishto's coming-of-age story to delve into themes of cultural survival, identity, and the spiritual interconnections of all life.
Critical Analysis
Power opens with a devastating storm that serves as a metaphor for the upheaval Omishto will face throughout the novel. Hogan's vivid, poetic language captures the primal, almost mystical bond between the Taiga people and their natural environment. For instance, when Omishto describes the panther as "the last thing left alive that's part of the world that used to be," Hogan underscores the panther's spiritual significance and foreshadows Ama's fatal act.
Hogan skillfully employs dualities throughout the novel — human versus nature, tradition versus modernity, faith versus law. This is most evident in Omishto's divided loyalties. On one hand, she is drawn to Ama, who embodies the old ways, the Taiga's sacred traditions, and their profound spiritual relationship with the land. On the other hand, she feels the pressure to conform to mainstream society, as her mother urges her to prioritize schooling and "getting ahead."
One of the most compelling aspects of Power is its exploration of the legal ramifications of Ama's actions. The trial becomes a battleground where the Western legal system attempts to impose its logic over Taiga customs, effectively erasing their cultural sovereignty. Here, Hogan reveals the profound disconnect between Indigenous and Western worldviews. In a pivotal scene, Ama defiantly asserts that killing the panther was a necessary act of spiritual survival, even as the court frames it as a criminal act. This conflict exemplifies how Indigenous knowledge systems are often marginalized or misinterpreted by dominant legal frameworks.
Highlights and Takeaways:
Hogan's evocative prose captures the sensory and spiritual connection the Taiga people have with their environment, illustrating the sacredness of the panther and the land.
The novel raises critical questions about cultural assimilation, Indigenous rights, and the cost of survival in a society that seeks to obliterate Native traditions.
Omishto's internal conflict serves as a catalyst for the larger struggle of Native American communities to maintain their identity amid external pressures to conform.
Conclusion
Linda Hogan's Power is a masterful narrative that compels readers to rethink the definitions of law, justice, and belonging. It is a haunting, profound work that illuminates the enduring tension between Indigenous cultural preservation and the encroaching forces of modernity. For those seeking a deeply reflective and spiritually resonant story, Power is an essential read, particularly for readers interested in Native American literature and environmental justice.