Patty Krawec

This is a very powerful book, and I greatly appreciated the way Krawec combined some of the darker history of the Americas with more inspiring stories and action items, instead of just focusing on the evil that was done. While we can't ignore the horrible things that happened, dwelling on them without breaks to look at what we can do now won't help us move forward. This is a very well thought-out book, and should be part of everyone's library so that we can start to heal this land show more together.

Side note: I loved hearing this as an audiobook. Having the Native stories told to me in this way felt more real and appropriate. I also appreciated hearing the Native words spoken. But I've also now ordered the hardback copy of the book, because the action items and resources are something I need to see in print in order to properly work with them. show less

Patty Krawec, an Anishinaabe and Ukrainian writer and speaker, challenges settlers to the Americas to take stock of their relationship with the land and the Indigenous people, and make changes to "become kin" and work alongside rather than continue the colonial takeover.

Throughout the book, whether she's talking about history, native stories, or moving forward, relationship is at the center. Relationship with each other and with the land, and how we work together to dismantle colonialism and show more the barriers we have put up and kept up by keeping the status quo. Each chapter ends in an action step, starting with reflection and moving towards action. It's essentially written to white people, and is meant to be a starting point, with many books either quoted from directly in the text or added to the Suggested Reading list at the end to move forward. For all that it's simple and easy to read, it's still challenging and worth wrestling with a different understanding of past, present, and future than perhaps we white settlers were taught in our history, mythology, and religion. Recommended. show less

[Bad Indians Book Club] began when people asked the author Patty Krawec for book recommendations that would help them better understand Indigenous lives. But this book is more than just a list of recommended books. Krawec explores how various books and genres relate to Indigenous life and experience. She discusses memoir, science, history, and various fiction genres. There are also autobiographical snippets.

I found the discussions enlightening, with wide ranging topics that made me think show more about books and how I read differently. As Krawec says, "You need to think about your own grounding, belonging, the place you are from and who you bring with you so that you understand the relationships you form with the books you read."

I loved the discussions although I would have appreciated more book recommendations. show less

Patty Krawec has written a book that celebrates Indigenous authors who refuse to assimilate into a society that seeks to erase them. These are the “Bad Indians” who reject the stories written over their people by the colonizers. These are writers who give voice to the marginalized populations of the Americas. Their writings provide a lens through which to see an alternative past, present, and future. This is a book that will lead readers to other books and authors intent on shattering show more stereotypes. These are the “Bad Indians” who speak truths settler society has long attempted to silence. These are truths all of us need to hear for they lead to a realization of the underlying connectedness of all creation—human and other than human. These authors are not interested in saving the world as it is. They envision a better future for the earth and all her inhabitants. show less