Book Review

Still Relevant Almost Thirty Years Later

Night Flying Woman: An Ojibway Narrative
By Ignatia Broker
Native Voices | 135 pp | $13.95
ISBN: 0873511670

Levi Rickert, editor-in-chief in Entertainment Discussion »

“When the forest weeps, the Anishinabe who listen will look back at the years. In each generation of Ojibway there will be a person who will hear the si-si-gwa-d, who will listen and remember and pass it on to the children.”

From Prologue: “The Forest Cries”
Night Flying Woman: An Ojibway Narrative

Night Flying Woman:
An Ojibway Narrative

“Night Flying Woman: An Ojibway Narrative” was written in 1983, but has never lost its appeal or relevancy.

Award-winning American Indian author, Louise Erdrich, calls “Night Flying Woman” one of her favorite books, which is understandable because Erdrich is of Ojibway descent and has been skillfully practicing the art of traditional storytelling going on three decades.

“Night Flying Woman” may have been one of the first American Indian narratives of its type published as the result of a resurgence of American Indian culture, which began in the mid-1970s.

Authored by Ignatia Broker, who grew up on the White Earth Indian Reservation in Minnesota, “Night Flying Woman” tells the story of one family spread over several generations through the eyes of Oona.

“Listen and you will hear the patterns of life,” a young Oona was taught. Oona was first a student; then a teacher for she passes the patterns of life on to her children.

Broker was a master storyteller, as is demonstrated in “Night Flying Woman.” In 1984, Broker received a Wonder Woman Foundation award honoring her as a woman striving for peace and equality.

She spent many years working for the Minneapolis School system, developing curriculum that still is in place today. Thankfully, she helped to preserve Ojibway culture - or the old ways, as she references it. Broker passed away in 1987.

“Night Flying Woman” provides a link from American Indian traditional ways that date back five generations in the narrative with a bridge to contemporary American Indians. This is important because so much of American Indian culture face possible extinction if the federal government would have had its way.

The book touches on the boarding school experience that was put in place by the federal government to “kill the Indian, save the man” that ultimately failed because of the sheer resilience of Indian people. “Night Flying Woman” reveals how the culture was preserved in secrecy and was never fully lost - despite the beatings Indian children endured at boarding schools.

The book is short and is a fast read that can be enjoyed by teens and adults. American Indians and non-Indians will enjoy the captivating storytelling talents of Broker.

Though “Night Flying Woman” was written in 1983, it is still relevant almost thirty years ago.

updated July 28, 2012 8:40 am edt; posted March 17, 2012 10:50 am edt