Boozhoo (hello), Michigan library community, I wanted to share some information about Wilder and her Little House books that not everyone may be thinking about. In my role serving as the Tribal Librarian for the Saginaw Chippewa Indian Tribe, I have had the opportunity to study and think about this issue in depth and humbly share this with you. The content of Wilder's works is actively harmful, not just to Native readers whose ancestors are supposedly portrayed in them, but to everyone who reads them and takes in those damaging depictions. They portray a vision of history as seen from a settler colonialist perspective that did not allow any room for the humanity of people who were not white settlers (in addition to the inaccurate depictions of Indigenous peoples, there is also anti-Black content). Many of us working in libraries may have fond memories of reading or having these books read to us when we were kids, but it is possible to separate those memories from the harmful content that accompanied them - to make a different choice when recommending books to today's young readers. My suggestion here is that we choose to celebrate writers and books that include everyone's humanity, and chose not to celebrate those which do not. There is quite a lot of writing out there about the damage that Wilder's books do. Please contact me off-list if you'd like me to provide suggestions. Miigwetch, Anne Anne Heidemann, Tribal Librarian (she/her) Saginaw Chippewa Tribal Gindaaso-gamik - Saginaw Chippewa Tribal Libraries aheidemann@sagchip.org<mailto:aheidemann@sagchip.org> - aheidemann@sagchip.edu<mailto:aheidemann@sagchip.edu> 989-787-0651 * 989-775-4519 * 989-317-4789 ploud.saginaw.net<https://ploud.saginaw.net/> subscribe to our newsletter<http://www1.youseemore.com/saginaw/contentpages.asp?loc=52>
Anne, Thank you for pointing this out. I benefit and, more importantly, my community benefits when I have information like this to consider when I plan programming. I will contact you off list for the additional reading you mentioned. Best, Chelsea Hilton On Tue, Sep 14, 2021 at 12:37 PM Lori Rinaldi via Michlib-l < michlib-l@mcls.org> wrote:
Actually, Wilder wrote about Native Americans in a good light, in her own opinions, but mentioned how other people were afraid of them , ect. She did mention being terrified during their war chants. Saying that her writing his armful to any group is wrong. Read the books. Don't just believe some hype. Not wanting to start a fight here. but I have studied LIW very closely, esp in my grad years. But I do respect you opinion. I just disagree with it.
Lori Rinaldi
On 09/14/2021 10:24 AM Anne Heidemann via Michlib-l <michlib-l@mcls.org> wrote:
Boozhoo (hello), Michigan library community,
I wanted to share some information about Wilder and her Little House books that not everyone may be thinking about. In my role serving as the Tribal Librarian for the Saginaw Chippewa Indian Tribe, I have had the opportunity to study and think about this issue in depth and humbly share this with you.
The content of Wilder’s works is actively harmful, not just to Native readers whose ancestors are supposedly portrayed in them, but to everyone who reads them and takes in those damaging depictions. They portray a vision of history as seen from a settler colonialist perspective that did not allow any room for the humanity of people who were not white settlers (in addition to the inaccurate depictions of Indigenous peoples, there is also anti-Black content).
Many of us working in libraries may have fond memories of reading or having these books read to us when we were kids, but it is possible to separate those memories from the harmful content that accompanied them – to make a different choice when recommending books to today’s young readers.
My suggestion here is that we choose to celebrate writers and books that include everyone’s humanity, and chose not to celebrate those which do not.
There is quite a lot of writing out there about the damage that Wilder’s books do. Please contact me off-list if you’d like me to provide suggestions.
Miigwetch,
Anne
Anne Heidemann, Tribal Librarian (she/her)
Saginaw Chippewa Tribal Gindaaso-gamik - Saginaw Chippewa Tribal Libraries
aheidemann@sagchip.org - aheidemann@sagchip.edu
989-787-0651 * 989-775-4519 * 989-317-4789
ploud.saginaw.net
subscribe to our newsletter <http://www1.youseemore.com/saginaw/contentpages.asp?loc=52>
_______________________________________________ Michlib-l mailing list Michlib-l@mcls.org https://mail3.mcls.org/mailman/listinfo/michlib-l
_______________________________________________ Michlib-l mailing list Michlib-l@mcls.org https://mail3.mcls.org/mailman/listinfo/michlib-l
-- Chelsea Hilton Program Coordinator Leland Township Public Library 203 E. Cedar St. Leland, MI 49654 (231) 256-9152
Let us put it into historical context: 1. This is an opportunity to educate and teach children about the perspectives of the historical timeframe that the person lived in, explain why that is not acceptable in today’s world. 2. Wilder is a first person account, that is a fact. Taking today’s writings about that historical era is not first person account. 3. We know that history has portrayed other groups as uncivilized or unintelligent or murders. Let us look further into that. The monks of Western Europe portrayed the Vikings as “barbarians” and “uncivilized” but we now know that they had a very highly civilized structure, where women could hold seats of power, fought alongside their brothers and fathers and could divorce. We know Vikings were early explorers and also very agricultural. Does that mean we just do away with the monks history and writings? 4. Greek and Roman historical writers always portrayed the Celts and other Germanic peoples in the same light “uncivilized barbarians” who were dirty and unkempt. However, we know that both groups had very cultural and artistic societies with their own laws and hierarchy. Yet, we still today rely on and read these writings into today’s colleges/universities. Basic humanities courses still teach these early authors. They are some of our firsthand accounts (even though we know what say is only that persons perspective of that other culture). 5. Also, archaeologically, we know that early archaeologists (most especially during the Victorian era) suppressed and ultimately shamed other archeologists in the field who were making ground breaking finds on so many cultural societies but since that didn’t fit into the stereotype of the time, those archaeologist work were thrown to the wind. So much data and relics, lost, because it didn’t conform to the standards. History is finally bringing those shamed and on the fringe archaeologist to the light and so much new information has come about because of an open mind. 6. Imagine if the Nazi’s did win, what would Anne Frank’s diary look like today….her book wouldn’t exist, and if it did, what would it be labeled as? We have to educate our children, not only about our history, but why it was wrong then, and what we need to do as a society to move forward. If we just make these books and first person accounts disappear, we are only starting at the beginning again. Amber From: Michlib-l <michlib-l-bounces@mcls.org> On Behalf Of Lori Rinaldi via Michlib-l Sent: Tuesday, September 14, 2021 12:36 PM To: Anne Heidemann <AHeidemann@sagchip.org>; Anne Heidemann via Michlib-l <michlib-l@mcls.org> Subject: Re: [Michlib-l] Wilder Actually, Wilder wrote about Native Americans in a good light, in her own opinions, but mentioned how other people were afraid of them , ect. She did mention being terrified during their war chants. Saying that her writing his armful to any group is wrong. Read the books. Don't just believe some hype. Not wanting to start a fight here. but I have studied LIW very closely, esp in my grad years. But I do respect you opinion. I just disagree with it. Lori Rinaldi On 09/14/2021 10:24 AM Anne Heidemann via Michlib-l <michlib-l@mcls.org <mailto:michlib-l@mcls.org> > wrote: Boozhoo (hello), Michigan library community, I wanted to share some information about Wilder and her Little House books that not everyone may be thinking about. In my role serving as the Tribal Librarian for the Saginaw Chippewa Indian Tribe, I have had the opportunity to study and think about this issue in depth and humbly share this with you. The content of Wilder’s works is actively harmful, not just to Native readers whose ancestors are supposedly portrayed in them, but to everyone who reads them and takes in those damaging depictions. They portray a vision of history as seen from a settler colonialist perspective that did not allow any room for the humanity of people who were not white settlers (in addition to the inaccurate depictions of Indigenous peoples, there is also anti-Black content). Many of us working in libraries may have fond memories of reading or having these books read to us when we were kids, but it is possible to separate those memories from the harmful content that accompanied them – to make a different choice when recommending books to today’s young readers. My suggestion here is that we choose to celebrate writers and books that include everyone’s humanity, and chose not to celebrate those which do not. There is quite a lot of writing out there about the damage that Wilder’s books do. Please contact me off-list if you’d like me to provide suggestions. Miigwetch, Anne Anne Heidemann, Tribal Librarian (she/her) Saginaw Chippewa Tribal Gindaaso-gamik - Saginaw Chippewa Tribal Libraries aheidemann@sagchip.org <mailto:aheidemann@sagchip.org> - aheidemann@sagchip.edu <mailto:aheidemann@sagchip.edu> 989-787-0651 * 989-775-4519 * 989-317-4789 ploud.saginaw.net <https://ploud.saginaw.net/> subscribe to our newsletter <http://www1.youseemore.com/saginaw/contentpages.asp?loc=52> _______________________________________________ Michlib-l mailing list Michlib-l@mcls.org <mailto:Michlib-l@mcls.org> https://mail3.mcls.org/mailman/listinfo/michlib-l
Just a reminder, "Agree to disagree" isn’t a valid stance when one of those opinions is about dehumanizing large groups of people. As Journey said, we should always defer to the people who are directly harmed by offensive representation in our collections. A person’s lived experience will always outweigh any education that those outside of that community may pursue, especially considering that that lived experience also greatly influences their marginalization within our profession. And Lori, your statement “Actually, Wilder wrote about Native Americans in a good light,” is one I have yet to see proven. And considering that Native and Indigenous people are saying otherwise, we should be more likely to believe them in general, but also doubly so when you choose to disagree without any sources. And Amber, we can talk about some more historical context: Those of us who are not Native or Indigenous are community members on occupied land. The writers who portray Native people negatively are propagandizing whether they know it or not. We can – and should – look at these other representations that you’ve listed critically, but we owe a much greater debt to our Native and Indigenous peers. -Miranda From: "Amber Alexander via Michlib-l" <michlib-l@mcls.org> To: michlib-l@mcls.org Sent: Tuesday, September 14, 2021 1:23:22 PM Subject: Re: [Michlib-l] Wilder Let us put it into historical context: 1. This is an opportunity to educate and teach children about the perspectives of the historical timeframe that the person lived in, explain why that is not acceptable in today’s world. 2. Wilder is a first person account, that is a fact. Taking today’s writings about that historical era is not first person account. 3. We know that history has portrayed other groups as uncivilized or unintelligent or murders. Let us look further into that. The monks of Western Europe portrayed the Vikings as “barbarians” and “uncivilized” but we now know that they had a very highly civilized structure, where women could hold seats of power, fought alongside their brothers and fathers and could divorce. We know Vikings were early explorers and also very agricultural. Does that mean we just do away with the monks history and writings? 4. Greek and Roman historical writers always portrayed the Celts and other Germanic peoples in the same light “uncivilized barbarians” who were dirty and unkempt. However, we know that both groups had very cultural and artistic societies with their own laws and hierarchy. Yet, we still today rely on and read these writings into today’s colleges/universities. Basic humanities courses still teach these early authors. They are some of our firsthand accounts (even though we know what say is only that persons perspective of that other culture). 5. Also, archaeologically, we know that early archaeologists (most especially during the Victorian era) suppressed and ultimately shamed other archeologists in the field who were making ground breaking finds on so many cultural societies but since that didn’t fit into the stereotype of the time, those archaeologist work were thrown to the wind. So much data and relics, lost, because it didn’t conform to the standards. History is finally bringing those shamed and on the fringe archaeologist to the light and so much new information has come about because of an open mind. 6. Imagine if the Nazi’s did win, what would Anne Frank’s diary look like today….her book wouldn’t exist, and if it did, what would it be labeled as? We have to educate our children, not only about our history, but why it was wrong then, and what we need to do as a society to move forward. If we just make these books and first person accounts disappear, we are only starting at the beginning again. Amber From: Michlib-l <michlib-l-bounces@mcls.org> On Behalf Of Lori Rinaldi via Michlib-l Sent: Tuesday, September 14, 2021 12:36 PM To: Anne Heidemann <AHeidemann@sagchip.org>; Anne Heidemann via Michlib-l <michlib-l@mcls.org> Subject: Re: [Michlib-l] Wilder Actually, Wilder wrote about Native Americans in a good light, in her own opinions, but mentioned how other people were afraid of them , ect. She did mention being terrified during their war chants. Saying that her writing his armful to any group is wrong. Read the books. Don't just believe some hype. Not wanting to start a fight here. but I have studied LIW very closely, esp in my grad years. But I do respect you opinion. I just disagree with it. Lori Rinaldi On 09/14/2021 10:24 AM Anne Heidemann via Michlib-l < [ mailto:michlib-l@mcls.org | michlib-l@mcls.org ] > wrote: Boozhoo (hello), Michigan library community, I wanted to share some information about Wilder and her Little House books that not everyone may be thinking about. In my role serving as the Tribal Librarian for the Saginaw Chippewa Indian Tribe, I have had the opportunity to study and think about this issue in depth and humbly share this with you. The content of Wilder’s works is actively harmful, not just to Native readers whose ancestors are supposedly portrayed in them, but to everyone who reads them and takes in those damaging depictions. They portray a vision of history as seen from a settler colonialist perspective that did not allow any room for the humanity of people who were not white settlers (in addition to the inaccurate depictions of Indigenous peoples, there is also anti-Black content). Many of us working in libraries may have fond memories of reading or having these books read to us when we were kids, but it is possible to separate those memories from the harmful content that accompanied them – to make a different choice when recommending books to today’s young readers. My suggestion here is that we choose to celebrate writers and books that include everyone’s humanity, and chose not to celebrate those which do not. There is quite a lot of writing out there about the damage that Wilder’s books do. Please contact me off-list if you’d like me to provide suggestions. Miigwetch, Anne Anne Heidemann, Tribal Librarian (she/her) Saginaw Chippewa Tribal Gindaaso-gamik - Saginaw Chippewa Tribal Libraries [ mailto:aheidemann@sagchip.org | aheidemann@sagchip.org ] - [ mailto:aheidemann@sagchip.edu | aheidemann@sagchip.edu ] 989-787-0651 * 989-775-4519 * 989-317-4789 [ https://urldefense.proofpoint.com/v2/url?u=https-3A__ploud.saginaw.net_&d=DwMFaQ&c=euGZstcaTDllvimEN8b7jXrwqOf-v5A_CdpgnVfiiMM&r=YGsu6pQk2nQCE_TaHIHyuwOSOv0Sc08sqK_MktVumeM&m=Ir81OEEWW06SmHUosKKai1NhMyOmVm2uNN6OuDhs4as&s=zhp8kpoPrT7jvl0H4c455PQeLf7HUUXvmwOaTcTyPJ8&e= ] [ https://urldefense.proofpoint.com/v2/url?u=http-3A__ploud.saginaw.net&d=DwQFaQ&c=euGZstcaTDllvimEN8b7jXrwqOf-v5A_CdpgnVfiiMM&r=YGsu6pQk2nQCE_TaHIHyuwOSOv0Sc08sqK_MktVumeM&m=Ir81OEEWW06SmHUosKKai1NhMyOmVm2uNN6OuDhs4as&s=vfXyzhTTwJ7qqHo8hOIwH89iBKRd_Sf2JtQ1TgqqgiA&e= | ploud.saginaw.net ] [ https://urldefense.proofpoint.com/v2/url?u=http-3A__www1.youseemore.com_saginaw_contentpages.asp-3Floc-3D52&d=DwMFaQ&c=euGZstcaTDllvimEN8b7jXrwqOf-v5A_CdpgnVfiiMM&r=YGsu6pQk2nQCE_TaHIHyuwOSOv0Sc08sqK_MktVumeM&m=Ir81OEEWW06SmHUosKKai1NhMyOmVm2uNN6OuDhs4as&s=x_PH4jXkHD6jQe4R6uvE1TfXUS03w6XjgK245TQ5nGo&e= | subscribe to our newsletter ] _______________________________________________ Michlib-l mailing list [ mailto:Michlib-l@mcls.org | Michlib-l@mcls.org ] [ https://urldefense.proofpoint.com/v2/url?u=https-3A__mail3.mcls.org_mailman_listinfo_michlib-2Dl&d=DwMFaQ&c=euGZstcaTDllvimEN8b7jXrwqOf-v5A_CdpgnVfiiMM&r=YGsu6pQk2nQCE_TaHIHyuwOSOv0Sc08sqK_MktVumeM&m=Ir81OEEWW06SmHUosKKai1NhMyOmVm2uNN6OuDhs4as&s=ll7skeIr1ZNi_jyjDFFsyNE1xi3vlGWWBUgxtOHZyTM&e= ] [ https://urldefense.proofpoint.com/v2/url?u=https-3A__mail3.mcls.org_mailman_listinfo_michlib-2Dl&d=DwQFaQ&c=euGZstcaTDllvimEN8b7jXrwqOf-v5A_CdpgnVfiiMM&r=YGsu6pQk2nQCE_TaHIHyuwOSOv0Sc08sqK_MktVumeM&m=Ir81OEEWW06SmHUosKKai1NhMyOmVm2uNN6OuDhs4as&s=ll7skeIr1ZNi_jyjDFFsyNE1xi3vlGWWBUgxtOHZyTM&e= | https://mail3.mcls.org/mailman/listinfo/michlib-l ] _______________________________________________ Michlib-l mailing list Michlib-l@mcls.org https://urldefense.proofpoint.com/v2/url?u=https-3A__mail3.mcls.org_mailman_listinfo_michlib-2Dl&d=DwICAg&c=euGZstcaTDllvimEN8b7jXrwqOf-v5A_CdpgnVfiiMM&r=YGsu6pQk2nQCE_TaHIHyuwOSOv0Sc08sqK_MktVumeM&m=Ir81OEEWW06SmHUosKKai1NhMyOmVm2uNN6OuDhs4as&s=ll7skeIr1ZNi_jyjDFFsyNE1xi3vlGWWBUgxtOHZyTM&e= -- Miranda Cauchi (they/them) Adult Librarian [ https://www.wayne.lib.mi.us/ | Wayne Public Library ] 3737 S. Wayne Rd, Wayne, MI 48184 mcauchi@wayne.lib.mi.us 734-721-7832 (ext. 705)
Lori, I don't think you get to say what a minority feels is harmful (or not). Do you actually think a Native American child is going to feel great about themselves when they read this passage: Mrs. Scott said she hoped to goodness they would have no trouble with Indians. Mr. Scott had heard rumors of trouble. She said, "Land knows, they'd never do anything with this country themselves. All they do is roam around over it like wild animals. Treaties or no treaties, the land belongs to folks that'll farm it. That's only common sense and justice." She did not know why the government made treaties with Indians. The only good Indian was a dead Indian. The very thought of Indians made her blood run cold. Syntha On Tue, Sep 14, 2021 at 12:37 PM Lori Rinaldi via Michlib-l < michlib-l@mcls.org> wrote:
Actually, Wilder wrote about Native Americans in a good light, in her own opinions, but mentioned how other people were afraid of them , ect. She did mention being terrified during their war chants. Saying that her writing his armful to any group is wrong. Read the books. Don't just believe some hype. Not wanting to start a fight here. but I have studied LIW very closely, esp in my grad years. But I do respect you opinion. I just disagree with it.
Lori Rinaldi
On 09/14/2021 10:24 AM Anne Heidemann via Michlib-l <michlib-l@mcls.org> wrote:
Boozhoo (hello), Michigan library community,
I wanted to share some information about Wilder and her Little House books that not everyone may be thinking about. In my role serving as the Tribal Librarian for the Saginaw Chippewa Indian Tribe, I have had the opportunity to study and think about this issue in depth and humbly share this with you.
The content of Wilder’s works is actively harmful, not just to Native readers whose ancestors are supposedly portrayed in them, but to everyone who reads them and takes in those damaging depictions. They portray a vision of history as seen from a settler colonialist perspective that did not allow any room for the humanity of people who were not white settlers (in addition to the inaccurate depictions of Indigenous peoples, there is also anti-Black content).
Many of us working in libraries may have fond memories of reading or having these books read to us when we were kids, but it is possible to separate those memories from the harmful content that accompanied them – to make a different choice when recommending books to today’s young readers.
My suggestion here is that we choose to celebrate writers and books that include everyone’s humanity, and chose not to celebrate those which do not.
There is quite a lot of writing out there about the damage that Wilder’s books do. Please contact me off-list if you’d like me to provide suggestions.
Miigwetch,
Anne
Anne Heidemann, Tribal Librarian (she/her)
Saginaw Chippewa Tribal Gindaaso-gamik - Saginaw Chippewa Tribal Libraries
aheidemann@sagchip.org - aheidemann@sagchip.edu
989-787-0651 * 989-775-4519 * 989-317-4789
ploud.saginaw.net
subscribe to our newsletter <http://www1.youseemore.com/saginaw/contentpages.asp?loc=52>
_______________________________________________ Michlib-l mailing list Michlib-l@mcls.org https://mail3.mcls.org/mailman/listinfo/michlib-l
_______________________________________________ Michlib-l mailing list Michlib-l@mcls.org https://mail3.mcls.org/mailman/listinfo/michlib-l
-- Syntha Green She, her Youth Services Librarian Baldwin Public Library 300 W. Merrill St. <https://maps.google.com/?q=300+W.+Merrill+St.+Birmingham,+MI+48009+248&entry=gmail&source=g> Birmingham, MI 48009 <https://maps.google.com/?q=300+W.+Merrill+St.+Birmingham,+MI+48009+248&entry=gmail&source=g> 248 <https://maps.google.com/?q=300+W.+Merrill+St.+Birmingham,+MI+48009+248&entry=gmail&source=g> -554-4670 www.baldwinlib.org Currently Reading <https://www.goodreads.com/user/email_signature_destination/6868829?utm_medium=reading_link&utm_source=email_signature> [image: Book Cover] <https://www.goodreads.com/user/email_signature_destination/6868829?utm_medium=cover&utm_source=email_signature> [image: Goodreads Logo] <https://www.goodreads.com/?utm_medium=gr_logo&utm_source=email_signature>Get your own email signature <https://www.goodreads.com/user/email_signature_instructions?utm_medium=gyo_link&utm_source=email_signature>
This piece of research might help, http://www.dickshovel.com/ind.html it can also be found in JSTOR THE ONLY GOOD INDIAN IS A DEAD INDIAN History and Meaning of a Proverbial Stereotype© by Wolfgang Mieder It ends with a passage that I think some people need to really think about: The fact that this tiny piece of folk wisdom is still current today is a very sad comment on this society and its behavior towards Native Americans. As long as there remain prejudices and stereotypes about this minority population, the proverb will not cease to exist. Wherever it will be uttered or written, it will expose blatant inhumanity towards the Native Americans. A conscious attempt to refrain from using the proverb "The only good Indian is a dead Indian" might at least help to bring about some changes towards a better life for Native Americans, one of pride and dignity as is befitting for the indigenous people of this great country - better the proverb die a long overdue death than any Native American get hurt by it again. On Tue, Sep 14, 2021 at 1:51 PM Syntha Green <syntha.green@baldwinlib.org> wrote:
Lori, I don't think you get to say what a minority feels is harmful (or not). Do you actually think a Native American child is going to feel great about themselves when they read this passage: Mrs. Scott said she hoped to goodness they would have no trouble with Indians. Mr. Scott had heard rumors of trouble. She said, "Land knows, they'd never do anything with this country themselves. All they do is roam around over it like wild animals. Treaties or no treaties, the land belongs to folks that'll farm it. That's only common sense and justice." She did not know why the government made treaties with Indians. The only good Indian was a dead Indian. The very thought of Indians made her blood run cold. Syntha
On Tue, Sep 14, 2021 at 12:37 PM Lori Rinaldi via Michlib-l < michlib-l@mcls.org> wrote:
Actually, Wilder wrote about Native Americans in a good light, in her own opinions, but mentioned how other people were afraid of them , ect. She did mention being terrified during their war chants. Saying that her writing his armful to any group is wrong. Read the books. Don't just believe some hype. Not wanting to start a fight here. but I have studied LIW very closely, esp in my grad years. But I do respect you opinion. I just disagree with it.
Lori Rinaldi
On 09/14/2021 10:24 AM Anne Heidemann via Michlib-l <michlib-l@mcls.org> wrote:
Boozhoo (hello), Michigan library community,
I wanted to share some information about Wilder and her Little House books that not everyone may be thinking about. In my role serving as the Tribal Librarian for the Saginaw Chippewa Indian Tribe, I have had the opportunity to study and think about this issue in depth and humbly share this with you.
The content of Wilder’s works is actively harmful, not just to Native readers whose ancestors are supposedly portrayed in them, but to everyone who reads them and takes in those damaging depictions. They portray a vision of history as seen from a settler colonialist perspective that did not allow any room for the humanity of people who were not white settlers (in addition to the inaccurate depictions of Indigenous peoples, there is also anti-Black content).
Many of us working in libraries may have fond memories of reading or having these books read to us when we were kids, but it is possible to separate those memories from the harmful content that accompanied them – to make a different choice when recommending books to today’s young readers.
My suggestion here is that we choose to celebrate writers and books that include everyone’s humanity, and chose not to celebrate those which do not.
There is quite a lot of writing out there about the damage that Wilder’s books do. Please contact me off-list if you’d like me to provide suggestions.
Miigwetch,
Anne
Anne Heidemann, Tribal Librarian (she/her)
Saginaw Chippewa Tribal Gindaaso-gamik - Saginaw Chippewa Tribal Libraries
aheidemann@sagchip.org - aheidemann@sagchip.edu
989-787-0651 * 989-775-4519 * 989-317-4789
ploud.saginaw.net
subscribe to our newsletter <http://www1.youseemore.com/saginaw/contentpages.asp?loc=52>
_______________________________________________ Michlib-l mailing list Michlib-l@mcls.org https://mail3.mcls.org/mailman/listinfo/michlib-l
_______________________________________________ Michlib-l mailing list Michlib-l@mcls.org https://mail3.mcls.org/mailman/listinfo/michlib-l
-- Syntha Green She, her Youth Services Librarian Baldwin Public Library 300 W. Merrill St. <https://maps.google.com/?q=300+W.+Merrill+St.+Birmingham,+MI+48009+248&entry=gmail&source=g> Birmingham, MI 48009 <https://maps.google.com/?q=300+W.+Merrill+St.+Birmingham,+MI+48009+248&entry=gmail&source=g> 248 <https://maps.google.com/?q=300+W.+Merrill+St.+Birmingham,+MI+48009+248&entry=gmail&source=g> -554-4670 www.baldwinlib.org
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Thank you so much, Anne, Journey, Miranda, and Syntha! You've all very eloquently said all the things I was thinking! *PLEASE NOTE NEW EMAIL ADDRESS * Jocelyn Levin, MLIS Youth Services Librarian jlevin@ltpl.org Lyon Township Public Library 27005 S. Milford Rd, South Lyon, MI 48178 248.437.8800 www.LTPL.org On Tue, Sep 14, 2021 at 2:09 PM Syntha Green via Michlib-l < michlib-l@mcls.org> wrote:
This piece of research might help, http://www.dickshovel.com/ind.html it can also be found in JSTOR THE ONLY GOOD INDIAN IS A DEAD INDIAN History and Meaning of a Proverbial Stereotype© by Wolfgang Mieder
It ends with a passage that I think some people need to really think about: The fact that this tiny piece of folk wisdom is still current today is a very sad comment on this society and its behavior towards Native Americans. As long as there remain prejudices and stereotypes about this minority population, the proverb will not cease to exist. Wherever it will be uttered or written, it will expose blatant inhumanity towards the Native Americans. A conscious attempt to refrain from using the proverb "The only good Indian is a dead Indian" might at least help to bring about some changes towards a better life for Native Americans, one of pride and dignity as is befitting for the indigenous people of this great country - better the proverb die a long overdue death than any Native American get hurt by it again.
On Tue, Sep 14, 2021 at 1:51 PM Syntha Green <syntha.green@baldwinlib.org> wrote:
Lori, I don't think you get to say what a minority feels is harmful (or not). Do you actually think a Native American child is going to feel great about themselves when they read this passage: Mrs. Scott said she hoped to goodness they would have no trouble with Indians. Mr. Scott had heard rumors of trouble. She said, "Land knows, they'd never do anything with this country themselves. All they do is roam around over it like wild animals. Treaties or no treaties, the land belongs to folks that'll farm it. That's only common sense and justice." She did not know why the government made treaties with Indians. The only good Indian was a dead Indian. The very thought of Indians made her blood run cold. Syntha
On Tue, Sep 14, 2021 at 12:37 PM Lori Rinaldi via Michlib-l < michlib-l@mcls.org> wrote:
Actually, Wilder wrote about Native Americans in a good light, in her own opinions, but mentioned how other people were afraid of them , ect. She did mention being terrified during their war chants. Saying that her writing his armful to any group is wrong. Read the books. Don't just believe some hype. Not wanting to start a fight here. but I have studied LIW very closely, esp in my grad years. But I do respect you opinion. I just disagree with it.
Lori Rinaldi
On 09/14/2021 10:24 AM Anne Heidemann via Michlib-l <michlib-l@mcls.org> wrote:
Boozhoo (hello), Michigan library community,
I wanted to share some information about Wilder and her Little House books that not everyone may be thinking about. In my role serving as the Tribal Librarian for the Saginaw Chippewa Indian Tribe, I have had the opportunity to study and think about this issue in depth and humbly share this with you.
The content of Wilder’s works is actively harmful, not just to Native readers whose ancestors are supposedly portrayed in them, but to everyone who reads them and takes in those damaging depictions. They portray a vision of history as seen from a settler colonialist perspective that did not allow any room for the humanity of people who were not white settlers (in addition to the inaccurate depictions of Indigenous peoples, there is also anti-Black content).
Many of us working in libraries may have fond memories of reading or having these books read to us when we were kids, but it is possible to separate those memories from the harmful content that accompanied them – to make a different choice when recommending books to today’s young readers.
My suggestion here is that we choose to celebrate writers and books that include everyone’s humanity, and chose not to celebrate those which do not.
There is quite a lot of writing out there about the damage that Wilder’s books do. Please contact me off-list if you’d like me to provide suggestions.
Miigwetch,
Anne
Anne Heidemann, Tribal Librarian (she/her)
Saginaw Chippewa Tribal Gindaaso-gamik - Saginaw Chippewa Tribal Libraries
aheidemann@sagchip.org - aheidemann@sagchip.edu
989-787-0651 * 989-775-4519 * 989-317-4789
ploud.saginaw.net
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-- Syntha Green She, her Youth Services Librarian Baldwin Public Library 300 W. Merrill St. <https://maps.google.com/?q=300+W.+Merrill+St.+Birmingham,+MI+48009+248&entry=gmail&source=g> Birmingham, MI 48009 <https://maps.google.com/?q=300+W.+Merrill+St.+Birmingham,+MI+48009+248&entry=gmail&source=g> 248 <https://maps.google.com/?q=300+W.+Merrill+St.+Birmingham,+MI+48009+248&entry=gmail&source=g> -554-4670 www.baldwinlib.org
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-- Syntha Green She, her Youth Services Librarian Baldwin Public Library 300 W. Merrill St. <https://maps.google.com/?q=300+W.+Merrill+St.+Birmingham,+MI+48009+248&entry=gmail&source=g> Birmingham, MI 48009 <https://maps.google.com/?q=300+W.+Merrill+St.+Birmingham,+MI+48009+248&entry=gmail&source=g> 248 <https://maps.google.com/?q=300+W.+Merrill+St.+Birmingham,+MI+48009+248&entry=gmail&source=g> -554-4670 www.baldwinlib.org
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participants (8)
-
Amber Alexander -
Amber Hughey -
Anne Heidemann -
Chelsea Hilton -
Jocelyn Levin -
Lori Rinaldi -
Miranda Cauchi -
Syntha Green