Joseph Medicine Crow (1913–2016)

I was a bit hesitant to read this book at first--judging the book by it's cover, it looked "text-booky". From the very first chapter (after the instructional introduction of how to earn chieftainship by counting coup), however, I was taken in with Medicine Chief's recounting of his birth. "With incense of burning cedar and the singing of scared songs, I came into the world. I was singing, too, but they probably thought I was wailing." Each chapter stands on it's own, vignettes that tell the story of Medicine Chief's childhood as the Crow nation transitioned from their traditional ways to life on a reservation. Written as an elder telling stories from the past is probably what makes this book so appealing to me and, I imagine, to the middle school students that I teach. It doesn't sound academic even though Medicine Chief holds a PhD and is the Crow Tribal Historian (or was--he passed away in April 2016 at 102 years old). His stories engage with his honest feelings and amusing or intriguing anecdotes. What did wouldn't be fascinated to learn that beef liver is sweet and delicious when eaten fresh and hot from the butchering?… (meer)