Jim Northrup (1943–2016)

It's not hard to see why this is an award-winning piece of Ojibwe literature. At times, it's funny or sad, and pointed or lighthearted, and despairing or hopeful ... and always very readable—well, except for a couple of poems written in Anishinaabemowin. I skipped over those because I know about two words of that language.

It's a collection of short stories, poems (don't worry, most of them are in English), op-ed pieces, and even a short screenplay. The short stories are all connected show more through the character of a Vietnam veteran, Luke Warmwater. They tell a larger story arc over the course of the book as he comes to terms with life on the reservation. I didn't care much for the short screenplay, but I absolutely was drawn in by the poetry. The op-ed pieces are thoughtful, snarky, and show a great deal of common sense.

For me, this was definitely worth the time. show less

It reads like a diary, Jim Northrup, writes about life on the Fond Du Lac Rez (reservation) in Cloquet Minnesota, from 2002 until 2011. The small stories come from his column he wrote called Fond Du Lac Follies. The author talks about his trips as a speaker, to ricing, the Casino, where his family won a 1964 Corvette, pow wows, and the politics of Rez life. It's one man's perspective, and I appreciate his candor about a place my dad called home. I can't wait to read his other books, to gain show more more knowledge and understanding of the tribe that my father was born into.

Why I read this book:
This book was personal for me. I chose this book as he mentions places and events I remember from growing up in Minnesota as well as while visiting my dad. It's a genealogist's mini gold mine, as he talks about family and his relationship to those he mentions in the book. It will be a bit of a puzzle putting the " Rez tree" together, but if I dissect this book and his other books, I should have a decent sketch of his family, friends, and neighbors. I love that he uses his native language for many words, which will help me learn those words, and yes I did use the Ojibwe Peoples Dictionary to help with how the words sound. show less

This is a view of gritty life, the reality of living on a reservation for many modern Native Americans. There are many tales involving drinking or being drunk. It's not gilded, but it is often funny. How else can you deal with hard times? Although each chapter is an isolated story, you get a sense of progression, as Luke Warmwater develops from a bitter vet to a man living in a more traditional manner.

Walking the Rez Road contains forty short stories and poems featuring Luke Warmwater as a central character. Luke is a Vietnam veteran who has survived the war but is having "trouble/surviving the peace" on a reservation where everyone is broke and where the tribal government seems to work against the interests of the reservation folk. Throughout Walking the Rez Road, it is humor that holds the people and their community together. Winner, Midwest Book Achievement Award, Minnesota Book Award, show more Northeastern Minnesota Book Award. (Product Description) show less