American Indian Stories - Paperback

by Zitkala-Sa (Author), Mint Editions (Contribution by)

American Indian Stories (1921) is a collection of stories and essays from Yankton Dakota writer Zitk la-S . Published while Zitk la-S was at the height of her career as an artist and activist, American Indian Stories collects the author's personal experiences, the legends and stories passed down through Sioux oral tradition, and her own reflections on the mistreatment of American Indians nationwide.

In "My Mother," Zitk la-S remembers the walk she would take with her mother to the river, where they would gather water to use in their wigwam. This simple chore becomes a cherished tradition between the two, allowing Zitk la-S 's mother to educate her on the circumstances that led their people to the reservation, depriving them of land and life itself. "The Legends" traces Zitk la-S 's childhood experience of learning from the oral tradition passed down from the Dakota elders. In "The Coffee Making," she remembers the first time she made coffee. While her mother has gone out for the day, an elder pays a visit to their wigwam. Remembering that her mother usually makes coffee for visitors, Zitk la-S attempts to play hostess to her visitor, who humors her and takes the time to share stories about his life and their people. American Indian Stories is a charming and politically conscious collection of stories from one of the leading American Indian writers of her generation, a committed activist and true voice for change who saw through her own eyes the lives and experiences of countless others.

With a beautifully designed cover and professionally typeset manuscript, this edition of Zitk la-S 's American Indian Stories is a classic of American Indian literature reimagined for modern readers.

Back Jacket

Combining personal experience with traditional storytelling, Zitkála-Sá reflects on her life as a young woman raised on the Yankton Indian Reservation in South Dakota and educated at a Quaker school in Indiana. Whether remembering her mother, reflecting on the importance of legends, or recalling her first time making coffee, Zitkála-Sá, in American Indian Stories, uses her voice to elevate her people.