"The Night Watchman" by Louise Erdrich - Historical Fiction Book Club - Past Titles

About the Author: Louise Erdrich

Birth and Early Life:
- Louise Erdrich was born on June 7, 1954, in Little Falls, Minnesota, USA. She is of Ojibwe, German, and French descent. Erdrich spent part of her childhood in Wahpeton, North Dakota, near the Turtle Mountain Reservation.
Education:
- Erdrich attended Dartmouth College, where she earned a Bachelor of Arts degree in English in 1976. She later pursued a Master of Arts in Creative Writing from Johns Hopkins University.
Bookstore and Writing Career:
- In 1984, Louise Erdrich, along with her sister Lise Erdrich, co-founded Birchbark Books, an independent bookstore in Minneapolis that focuses on Native American literature. This venture reflects her commitment to promoting indigenous voices.
Literary Debut - "Love Medicine" (1984):
- Louise Erdrich made her literary debut with the novel "Love Medicine," which explores the interconnected lives of characters from the Turtle Mountain Reservation. The novel received critical acclaim and won the National Book Critics Circle Award.
Prolific Writing Career:
- Louise Erdrich has since become a prolific and highly regarded author, producing a body of work that includes novels, poetry, and short stories. Her writing often delves into the complexities of identity, cultural heritage, and the impact of historical events on Native American communities.
Key Works:
- Some of Erdrich's notable works include "The Beet Queen," "Tracks," "The Bingo Palace," "The Plague of Doves," and "The Round House," among others. Her novels are often interconnected, sharing characters and settings.
Awards and Recognition:
- Louise Erdrich has received numerous awards for her contributions to literature, including the National Book Award for Fiction for "The Round House" in 2012. Her works have been celebrated for their lyrical prose, intricate storytelling, and exploration of Native American experiences.
Family and Personal Life:
- Louise Erdrich's family heritage and cultural background have had a profound influence on her writing. She has been married to author Michael Dorris, and they adopted three children. Dorris and Erdrich collaborated on some projects, including the novel "The Crown of Columbus."
Advocacy and Activism:
- In addition to her literary pursuits, Louise Erdrich has been an advocate for Native American rights and has addressed issues such as tribal sovereignty, cultural preservation, and social justice.

Synopsis

Thomas Wazhashk is the night watchman at the jewel bearing plant, the first factory located near the Turtle Mountain Reservation in rural North Dakota. He is also a Chippewa Council member who is trying to understand the consequences of a new "emancipation" bill on its way to the floor of the United States Congress. It is 1953 and he and the other council members know the bill isn't about freedom; Congress is fed up with Indians. The bill is a "termination" that threatens the rights of Native Americans to their land and their very identity. How can the government abandon treaties made in good faith with Native Americans "for as long as the grasses shall grow, and the rivers run"? Since graduating high school, Pixie Paranteau has insisted that everyone call her Patrice. Unlike most of the girls on the reservation, Patrice, the class valedictorian, has no desire to wear herself down with a husband and kids. She makes jewel bearings at the plant, a job that barely pays her enough to support her mother and brother. Patrice's shameful alcoholic father returns home sporadically to terrorize his wife and children and bully her for money. But Patrice needs every penny to follow her beloved older sister, Vera, who moved to the big city of Minneapolis. Vera may have disappeared; she hasn't been in touch in months, and is rumored to have had a baby. Determined to find Vera and her child, Patrice makes a fateful trip to Minnesota that introduces her to unexpected forms of exploitation and violence, and endangers her life. Thomas and Patrice live in this impoverished reservation community along with young Chippewa boxer Wood Mountain and his mother Juggie Blue, her niece and Patrice's best friend Valentine, and Stack Barnes, the white high school math teacher and boxing coach who is hopelessly in love with Patrice.

Historical Timeline

Establishment of Reservations (Late 19th Century):
- Reservations are established for several tribes, including the Standing Rock Sioux Reservation, Fort Berthold Indian Reservation, and others. These reservations become the primary areas where Native Americans live.
Dawes Act (1887):
- The Dawes Act is implemented, leading to the allotment of tribal lands to individual Native American households. This results in the loss of communal land and contributes to the fragmentation of tribal communities.
20th Century: Assimilation and Cultural Revival:
- Federal policies in the early 20th century focus on assimilating Native Americans into mainstream American society. The mid-20th century sees a revival of indigenous cultures and activism for civil rights and tribal sovereignty.
American Indian Movement (AIM) (Founded in 1968):
- AIM is founded to address issues of civil rights, treaty rights, and the broader social and economic challenges faced by Native Americans. The movement gains prominence during the 1970s.
Tribal Colleges (Established in Late 20th Century):
- Tribal colleges, such as Sitting Bull College and Fort Berthold Community College, are established to provide higher education opportunities for Native American students.
Present Day: Tribal Sovereignty and Challenges:
- Native American tribes in North Dakota, including the Standing Rock Sioux, continue to assert their sovereignty and address ongoing challenges related to economic development, education, healthcare, and cultural preservation.

This timeline provides a broad overview of key events in the history of Native Americans in North Dakota. It's important to note that Native American history is diverse, and individual tribes have unique histories and experiences.

The history of Native Americans in North Dakota is rich and diverse, spanning thousands of years. Here is a brief timeline highlighting key events and periods:

Prehistoric Period:
- Thousands of years ago: Indigenous peoples, including ancestors of present-day Native American tribes, have inhabited the region that is now North Dakota for millennia. They lived a nomadic lifestyle, relying on hunting, gathering, and later, agriculture.
Fur Trade Era (Late 17th to Early 19th Century):
- The fur trade becomes a significant economic activity, bringing European traders and settlers into contact with Native American tribes. Tribes like the Mandan, Hidatsa, and Arikara are key players in the fur trade.
Lewis and Clark Expedition (1804-1806):
- The Lewis and Clark Expedition explores the territory, documenting encounters with Native American tribes such as the Mandan and Hidatsa. This marks increased contact between Euro-American settlers and indigenous peoples.
Treaties and Land Cessions (19th Century):
- Various treaties are signed between the U.S. government and Native American tribes, leading to the cession of land and the establishment of reservations. Tribes, including the Dakota and Lakota Sioux, are affected by these agreements.
Dakota War of 1862:
- The Dakota War, also known as the Sioux Uprising, takes place in Minnesota. Many Dakota people are later exiled from the region, and some find refuge among the Lakota Sioux in North Dakota.

Establishment of Reservations (Late 19th Century):
- Reservations are established for several tribes, including the Standing Rock Sioux Reservation, Fort Berthold Indian Reservation, and others. These reservations become the primary areas where Native Americans live.
Dawes Act (1887):
- The Dawes Act is implemented, leading to the allotment of tribal lands to individual Native American households. This results in the loss of communal land and contributes to the fragmentation of tribal communities.
20th Century: Assimilation and Cultural Revival:
- Federal policies in the early 20th century focus on assimilating Native Americans into mainstream American society. The mid-20th century sees a revival of indigenous cultures and activism for civil rights and tribal sovereignty.
American Indian Movement (AIM) (Founded in 1968):
- AIM is founded to address issues of civil rights, treaty rights, and the broader social and economic challenges faced by Native Americans. The movement gains prominence during the 1970s.
Tribal Colleges (Established in Late 20th Century):
- Tribal colleges, such as Sitting Bull College and Fort Berthold Community College, are established to provide higher education opportunities for Native American students.
Present Day: Tribal Sovereignty and Challenges:
- Native American tribes in North Dakota, including the Standing Rock Sioux, continue to assert their sovereignty and address ongoing challenges related to economic development, education, healthcare, and cultural preservation.

The history of Native Americans in North Dakota is rich and diverse, spanning thousands of years. Here is a brief timeline highlighting key events and periods:

Prehistoric Period:
- Thousands of years ago: Indigenous peoples, including ancestors of present-day Native American tribes, have inhabited the region that is now North Dakota for millennia. They lived a nomadic lifestyle, relying on hunting, gathering, and later, agriculture.
Fur Trade Era (Late 17th to Early 19th Century):
- The fur trade becomes a significant economic activity, bringing European traders and settlers into contact with Native American tribes. Tribes like the Mandan, Hidatsa, and Arikara are key players in the fur trade.
Lewis and Clark Expedition (1804-1806):
- The Lewis and Clark Expedition explores the territory, documenting encounters with Native American tribes such as the Mandan and Hidatsa. This marks increased contact between Euro-American settlers and indigenous peoples.
Treaties and Land Cessions (19th Century):
- Various treaties are signed between the U.S. government and Native American tribes, leading to the cession of land and the establishment of reservations. Tribes, including the Dakota and Lakota Sioux, are affected by these agreements.
Dakota War of 1862:
- The Dakota War, also known as the Sioux Uprising, takes place in Minnesota. Many Dakota people are later exiled from the region, and some find refuge among the Lakota Sioux in North Dakota.

Establishment of Reservations (Late 19th Century):
- Reservations are established for several tribes, including the Standing Rock Sioux Reservation, Fort Berthold Indian Reservation, and others. These reservations become the primary areas where Native Americans live.
Dawes Act (1887):
- The Dawes Act is implemented, leading to the allotment of tribal lands to individual Native American households. This results in the loss of communal land and contributes to the fragmentation of tribal communities.
20th Century: Assimilation and Cultural Revival:
- Federal policies in the early 20th century focus on assimilating Native Americans into mainstream American society. The mid-20th century sees a revival of indigenous cultures and activism for civil rights and tribal sovereignty.
American Indian Movement (AIM) (Founded in 1968):
- AIM is founded to address issues of civil rights, treaty rights, and the broader social and economic challenges faced by Native Americans. The movement gains prominence during the 1970s.
Tribal Colleges (Established in Late 20th Century):
- Tribal colleges, such as Sitting Bull College and Fort Berthold Community College, are established to provide higher education opportunities for Native American students.
Present Day: Tribal Sovereignty and Challenges:
- Native American tribes in North Dakota, including the Standing Rock Sioux, continue to assert their sovereignty and address ongoing challenges related to economic development, education, healthcare, and cultural preservation.

MLN Materials

book
large print book
playaway
spoken CD

Audiobook Versions

Libby
hoopla

Ebook Versions

Libby

Calling for a Blanket Dance by Oscar Hokeah
Call Number: FICTION Hokeah
A moving and deeply engaging novel about a young Native American man as he learns to find strength in his familial identity. Oscar Hokeah's electric debut takes us into the life of Ever Geimausaddle, whose family--part Mexican, part Native American--is determined to hold onto their community despite obstacles everywhere they turn. Ever's father is injured at the hands of corrupt police on the border when he goes to visit family in Mexico, while his mother struggles both to keep her job and care for her husband. And young Ever is lost and angry at all that he doesn't understand, at this world that seems to undermine his sense of safety. Ever's relatives all have ideas about who he is and who he should be. His Cherokee grandmother, knowing the importance of proximity, urges the family to move across Oklahoma to be near her, while his grandfather, watching their traditions slip away, tries to reunite Ever with his heritage through traditional gourd dances. Through it all, every relative wants the same: to remind Ever of the rich and supportive communities that surround him, there to hold him tight, and for Ever to learn to take the strength given to him to save not only himself but also the next generation. How will this young man visualize a place for himself when the world hasn't made room for him to start with?
The Love Songs of W. E. B. du Bois by Honorée Fanonne Jeffers
Call Number: FICTION Jeffers
The great scholar, W. E. B. Du Bois, once wrote about what he called "Double Consciousness," a sensitivity that every African American possesses in order to survive. From an early age, Ailey fights a battle for belonging that's made all the more difficult by a hovering trauma. To come to terms with her own identity, Ailey embarks on a journey through her family's past. In doing so Ailey must learn to embrace her full heritage, a legacy of oppression and resistance, bondage and independence, cruelty and resilience that is the story - and the song - of America itself.
When the Emperor Was Divine by Julie Otsuka
Call Number: Fiction Otsuka
Julie Otsuka's commanding debut novel paints a portrait of the Japanese internment camps unlike any we have ever seen. With crystalline intensity and precision, Otsuka uses a single family to evoke the deracination--both physical and emotional--of a generation of Japanese Americans. In five chapters, each flawlessly executed from a different point of view--the mother receiving the order to evacuate; the daughter on the long train ride to the c& the son in the desert encampment; the family's return to their home; and the bitter release of the father after more than four years in captivity--she has created a small tour de force, a novel of unrelenting economy and suppressed emotion. Spare, intimate, arrestingly understated,When the Emperor Was Divineis a haunting evocation of a family in wartime and an unmistakably resonant lesson for our times. It heralds the arrival of a singularly gifted new novelist.
Cherokee America by Margaret Verble
Call Number: FICTION Verble
A baby, a black hired hand, a bay horse, a gun, and a neighbor have all gone missing in the same corner of the Cherokee Nation West. Cherokee America Singer, known as Check, is none too pleased with these developments. As a wealthy farmer, the mother of five boys, and the matriarch of her family, she's accustomed to wielding authority. And she's determined to find out what's going on. In the aftermath of the Civil War, complex alliances and simmering race and culture clashes unite and divide the people living on Cherokee lands. Tensions mount and violence escalates, and the long arm of white law encroaches further into Indian Territory. Determined to survive and thrive on their own terms after decades of betrayal and hardship, Check's family, friends, and neighbors must come together to avenge a crime, outwit federal authorities, and protect their sovereignty. Inspired by Margaret Verble's family history and written with dry humor and a lot of heart, Cherokee America is a different kind of Western, one told from a Native American point of view and with a mixed-race woman at its center. Check--member of a distinguished Cherokee family, daughter of a famous soldier and a slaveholder, wife of an abolitionist--is a necessary, revelatory addition to the literature of the American frontier.
Let Him Go by Larry Watson
Call Number: FICTION Watson
Dalton, North Dakota. It's September 1951: years since George and Margaret Blackledge lost their son when he was thrown from a horse; months since his widow left with their only grandson and married another man. Margaret is resolved to find and retrieve her beloved grandson, while George, a retired sheriff, is none too eager to stir up trouble. Unable to sway his wife from her mission, George takes to the road with Margaret by his side, traveling through the Badlands to Montana. But when Margaret tries to bring little Jimmy home, the Blackledges find themselves entangled with the Weboy clan, who are determined not to give up the boy without a fight.