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American Indians in Washington State

© Jerri Brooker

Sherman Alexie is a Spokane-Couer d'Alene Indian living in Seattle who happens to be one great writer. While reading "The Lone Ranger and Tonto Fist Fight in Heaven" recently, I was taken on an emotional roller coaster with his writings. The culture of his books involve real people and give one keen insight into how his American Indian characters view the world in which they live, and the world spinning around them.

American Indians in Washington State have been given lots of press lately. Recently the Makahs in Northwest Washington State were riddled with the media examining their recent whale hunting ventures after they reclaimed an ancient tribal right they have not practiced since 1920. Tempers and emotions flared.

Casinos are popping up on American Indian lands all over the state, and now there is a hubbub about slot machines in the casinos in Washington State. State government is trying to rule on reservation lands which are Federal lands. Emotions again run rampant.

The press goes where I care not to go. They can handle what they consider earth-shattering news regarding whales and gambling on our reservations. I will continue to focus on people and places and culture. I take this diversion into a culture rich in this state - that of our American Indian tribes.

Emotions are sometimes the way to get a point across, though you might need a shovel to get to where you are going if you choose mainstream media. In this book Alexie displays emotions of his people superbly as he portrays life around the Spokane Indian Reservation. No shovel needed. The distance between Indian and white cultures is superbly illustrated by his carefully crafted words. If you are interested in this culture, pick up his book and be prepared for some jarring pictures of life on the reservation.

American Indian links on the internet are a way to learn about the culture of many different tribes in the state (twenty) and around the nation. I recently ran across a great link provided by the Washington State Library. There's so much here I don't think I need to bore you this time with other links. This one can engage you for hours if you choose.

I find the internet a great way to learn about other cultures. Look at all the great writings at The Suite. Those of you that are here for the first time, click on Home (above) and you will find an Index full of many places and cultures to travel through as you trek away on your learning journey. You could stay at this library site for days!

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