Simon J. Ortiz

An indigenous view of the story of North America, with text by Acoma Pueblo scholar and poet Simon J. Ortiz, and illustrations by Shawnee, Ojibwe and Dakota artist Sharol Graves, The People Shall Continue begins with Creation, as understood by a variety of Native American peoples, introduces the diversity of cultures to be found on the continent, and then chronicles the coming of European conquerors and settlers, and the long and (mostly) unsuccessful struggle of the indigenous peoples to show more maintain their lands and independence. The book concludes with an examination of (then) contemporary native peoples, spread between reservations and cities, and the continuing importance of their diverse heritages, going forward.

Originally a poem, The People Shall Continue was first published in picture-book form in 1977, and has both strengths and weaknesses. Or, put another way, it is well suited to certain purposes, and not to others. As an encapsulation of Native views of the last five hundred years - the process of encroachment upon and theft of native lands, the brutality of the conquerors and settlers, the importance of tradition, as the People(s) go forward - it is top-notch, and communicates its message clearly and eloquently. If you're an American, or interested in American history, and want the children in your life to have a good understanding of the topic, this book is an important addition to your library. It has a leftward bent, and touches on issues of environmental stewardship and economic oppression, so some readers might find certain passages problematic, even if they don't contest the history. For my part, I appreciated the message, and the fact that Ortiz incorporated other groups (Latinos, African-Americans, poor whites) into his definition of "The People."

All that said, despite its virtues, I'm troubled by those who have billed this as a "history" of North America for children, as I don't think it's anything of the sort. It's one strand of that history, of course - well, really, one poet's view of that one strand - and a significant one at that, but although I think it works as an expression of feeling - perfectly legitimate feeling, in light of the events in question - it isn't what I would consider a work of history itself. Although I can understand why the pre-Columbian world would be seen in such a rosy light - the Peoples in Ortiz's vision all meet in peace, each bringing their own goods and stories, and when misunderstandings arise amongst them, wise leaders shepherd them away from war - and while there's no question in my mind that "discovery" by Europeans was a catastrophe for the native peoples of North America, I'm not comfortable with the implication that everything was a paradise before 1492, with little or no conflict between the peoples already here, since... well, I don't think that is actually true.

Ortiz described The People Shall Continue as a "teaching story," and I'm comfortable with that. Sometimes, in such stories - folktales spring to mind, in this respect - complicated realities are "simplified" to make a point. That's perfectly legitimate, as long as one doesn't confuse the simplified tale with an historical account, as some reviewers (quoted on the back of my copy of the book) seem to have done. For the study of history, even for an "overview" (a description also applied to this book), one would need considerably more information. show less

In this original story from Acoma Pueblo poet and scholar Simon J. Ortiz, a southwestern village called Haapaahnitse (the "Oak Place") is suffering from a terrible drought. Hungry, feeling hopeless and unhappy, the people take to blaming one another. Then an old woman steps forward to remind them that they haven't yet sought help - help from the Shiwana, the rain and snow spirits who live in the west - and suggests that two young men be sent on a quest. And so it is that two brothers, show more Tsaiyah-dzehshi ("First One") and Hamahshu-dzehshi ("Next One") are dispatched on the long journey to the Shiwana, crossing blistering deserts and cold mountains. When they confront the fiery chasm of a volcano, the younger brother, Hamahshu-dzehshi, is afraid to continue, until a blind old woman happens along to show him the way...

A trilingual picture-book - the main text, in English and Keres (the language of Ortiz's Acoma Pueblo), is accompanied by Hopi/Tewa/Apache artist Michael Lacapa's illustrations, while a Spanish translation by Mayan author Victor Montejo is included at the rear - The Good Rainbow Road is not a traditional folktale, something Ortiz makes very clear in his afterword, but an original work of fantasy that is grounded in the folk tradition. As such, I think it is what we would call a "fairy-tale," and I have shelved it as such. The story itself is engrossing - readers will be rooting for Tsaiyah-dzehshi and Hamahshu-dzehshi - and the artwork, which looks to be done in colored marker or pencil, and which incorporates many folk motif borders, is colorful and attention-grabbing. I liked the fact that, while the two main questers here are male, women play such a decisive role in moving the action forward, both in suggesting the quest, and (in the form of Spider Woman) aiding the young men. I also liked the fact that the story ends, not with the granting of the young men's request, but with their reaching of their object. It's an interesting conclusion, and will leave readers wanting more. Always a good thing, when it comes to storytelling!

All in all, a wonderful book, one I would recommend to young readers who enjoy adventure stories - although a picture-book, the text is long and extensive, and is probably best suited for upper elementary school students and above - and to anyone looking for texts (although I understand that there is some controversy connected to writing them down) in any of the Keresan languages. show less

Scathing and beautiful and lonesome all at once. I am not sure I've experienced another book of poetry that has such a strong sense of place.

Told in the rhythms of traditional oral narrative, this powerful telling of the history of the Native/Indigenous peoples of North America recounts their story from Creation to the invasion and usurpation of Native lands. As more and more people arrived, The People saw that the new men did not respect the land. The People witnessed the destruction of their Nations and the enslavement of their people. The People fought hard, but eventually agreed to stop fighting and signed treaties.

Many show more things changed and became more difficult, but The People continued to farm and create crafts. They remembered and told their children, "You are Shawnee. You are Lakota. You are Pima. You Acoma. . . . You are all these Nations of the People." The People held onto their beliefs and customs and found solidarity with other oppressed people. And despite struggles against greed, destruction of their lands, and oppression, The People persisted. show less