On the Rez

This book is written by a man who clearly respects and loves the Native American people.
He writes of individuals he met on the Pine Ridge Indian Reservation interspersed with the
history of the American Indian and the Reservation.

Frazier writes exceptionally well with journalistic detail. He doesn't write rose-colored
observations but with understanding and humour. These people felt very real and familiar
to me. I enjoyed meeting them.

I was introduced to Le War Lance who likes to drink and talk, mixing fact with a bit of
fiction, perhaps. I met Lance's family and friends on the reserve, as well local teenage hero,
SuAnne Big Crow. Su Anne was a basketball champion at Pine Ridge who died in an
automobile accident. She was also a diplomatic link between the whites and Natives as well
as between the disagreeing factions on the reserve. Her Mother dedicated a center for the
young people in Pine Ridge. It is a museum as well, housing photos of SuAnne and her
numerous trophies.

I enjoyed this book which highlights the freedom of the Native people and how they
passed that on to the immigrants from other lands. The author desires this freedom, too.
His frequent visits to the reservation speak of his yearning.