Rating: 
Summary: Review of On the Rez
Review: When one looks back upon Native American history, one would see over an eon of war, fighting, and conflict. One would also see a people who, as a whole, were oppressed and killed once European settlers arrived on the North American continent. What would follow the introduction of the European was almost half an eon of slaughter, disease, and persecution. On The Rez, by Ian Frazier, shows the Native American on reservations in present day. Specifically, Frazier looks at the tribe Oglala Sioux who live in South Dakota, and his friend Le. Being up front from the beginning, Frazier claims that the purpose of his book is to show that Native American life is not bleak, but instead full of life and full of the struggle to retain the Native American culture and pride. Frazier also claims that he wishes to be a Native American, though he knows this is impossible. While on some levels Frazier shows his belief that Native American's do not live bleak lives, in most ways, Frazier shows the opposite, that Native American life on reservations is not only bleak, but stagnant and dying.Frazier, with the exception of being unable to prove his point, is a brilliant writer. His book, On The Rez, is written in a chronological fashion and follows all the guidelines of a non-fiction novel. While the material he presents is serious, the manner in which he portrays it entices the reader to continue reading, and allows the reader to subtlety come to terms with the broader picture of reservation life. Rather than attempt to show the reader the mindset of Le, Floyd John, and a host of other Native American's, Frazier simply relates his experiences and the stories others have told him. This allows the reader to feel as though he/she were present with Frazier during the events. While occasionally Frazier will give his opinions, the reader is usually left to come to his/her own conclusions. This style of writing, while admirable, has one major downfall; the reader is able to form his or her own opinion, one that may be entirely contrary to what Frazier intended. Frazier states, "The Oglala still produce heroes..." (19), but in truth, the heroes the Oglala produce are unable to pull the Oglala Sioux out of the misery and turmoil they live in. These heroes produced by the Oglala, specifically SuAnne Big Crow, tend to be brilliant bursts of light in an otherwise darkness. Throughout the book, Frazier constantly comments on how often he encounters alcohol on the reservation. Without exception, whenever Frazier is with Le, alcohol is involved, usually a great deal of beer. While Frazier never states that this rampant alcoholism is a problem, he does belief that alcohol is a problem with Native Americans as a whole. This is shown in chapter seven, when Frazier describes White Clay by stating, "Even at 9:30 in the morning, White Clay effervesces and boils as if acid were eating it away." (125) The reader cannot help but be horrified at the utter chaos alcohol has caused on and around the reservation. From the enormous amount of alcohol induced fighting in White Clay to the constant alcohol related car accidents to the physical health maladies shown in Florence Cross Dog, alcohol has been the acid eating away at the Native American people. On The Rez, according to Frazier, is an attempt to show Native American life as something other than bleak. In truth, the book shows an odd mixture of bleakness and hope. The book shows an interesting mixture of detrimental events, such as the death of SuAnne Big Crow, with heartfelt kindness, such as when Le proclaims Frazier his brother. More than anything, however, On The Rez paints a portrait of a people who, harmful though it may be, refuse to conform to anyone's idea of what they should be.
Personally, I enjoyed this book greatly. I found it to be hard to put down, and while I did not agree with Frazier on most of his points, I found his portrayal of Native American affairs to be accurate. Growing up near a reservation, and having many Native American friends as a youth, I am aware of their struggles. I am also aware of the intense desire to be a part of their lives, a desire Ian Frazier shares.
|
