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phoebe_phorreal's review
dark
funny
hopeful
informative
inspiring
reflective
fast-paced
5.0
Wow. An utterly incredible memoir where Ada's grit, determination, sense of humor, relatability and thoughtfulness shines through. From commiserating with Ada's struggles in home economics, laughing at her puns she made during her run for Congress, to being enraged at the ways in which the federal government still tries to infringe upon Indian sovereignty, even after the era of outright termination, it was all incredibly informative, and the meditations on why such problems such as ambivalence towards education from Native people existed (hint: colonialism) were incredibly thought-provoking. I read this book to learn about Menominee termination and restoration, but it taught me so much more, and gave me unexpected glimpses into brief Hollywood stardom and the Queen's Jubilee. Nobody can say Ada Deer's life was uneventful, that's for sure.
This was created through a process of interviews, and I think that's partially responsible for why it works so well. The tone feels conversational and fluid, like Ada invited you to her home in Madison and you're having a chat, and even though I took copious notes because it was just so interesting, I still felt that tone throughout the book.
About the only critique I'd have is how Ada treats the Menominee opposition when she talks about tension over the restoration plan. Granted, she probably knows better than I do, but she comes across as a bit dismissive of their concerns and I'd definitely like to hear a memoir from someone who had grievances and was on the other side. Still, even there she's gracious, even if those old wounds and tensions are still palpable in her words.
This was created through a process of interviews, and I think that's partially responsible for why it works so well. The tone feels conversational and fluid, like Ada invited you to her home in Madison and you're having a chat, and even though I took copious notes because it was just so interesting, I still felt that tone throughout the book.
About the only critique I'd have is how Ada treats the Menominee opposition when she talks about tension over the restoration plan. Granted, she probably knows better than I do, but she comes across as a bit dismissive of their concerns and I'd definitely like to hear a memoir from someone who had grievances and was on the other side. Still, even there she's gracious, even if those old wounds and tensions are still palpable in her words.
Content Warnings
Moderate: Addiction, Alcoholism, Racism, and Violence
Minor: Toxic relationship and Domestic abuse
anishinaabekwereads's review
4.0
Making a Difference is a testament to Ada Deer's phenomenally important place in Indigenous history. It seems most everyone I know knows who Ada Deer is, at least in name, and it's no surprise. With her important role in Menominee restoration following U.S. federal Termination of the tribe's sovereign rights, she's long been an important name in Native America. Her 1990s service in the BIA as assistant secretary of the Interior for Indian Affairs, too, made her name synonymous with shaking up D.C. and making change happen.
This autobiography written with Theda Perdue is a thorough remembering of Deer's long life. Beginning in her childhood in Menominee with her parents and siblings to her college years in the University of Wisconsin system to her work as a social worker, this book has an almost overwhelming amount of detail. Don't get me wrong, it's written in a matter-of-fact style with contextual history and analytical statements about the struggles of Native America. It's like an elder telling a story. Still, it's incredibly difficult to keep track of all Deer has done over her 85 years. Truly, the fact that her many roles and actions become overwhelmingly difficult to keep track of past the halfway point is a testament to just how much work Deer has done for her people, for all Indigenous people in what is now the U.S.
I honestly don't read many autobiographies, but this one was a must-read and I urge you to pick it up too if you have any interest in 20th century American Indian history and Indigenous activism.
This autobiography written with Theda Perdue is a thorough remembering of Deer's long life. Beginning in her childhood in Menominee with her parents and siblings to her college years in the University of Wisconsin system to her work as a social worker, this book has an almost overwhelming amount of detail. Don't get me wrong, it's written in a matter-of-fact style with contextual history and analytical statements about the struggles of Native America. It's like an elder telling a story. Still, it's incredibly difficult to keep track of all Deer has done over her 85 years. Truly, the fact that her many roles and actions become overwhelmingly difficult to keep track of past the halfway point is a testament to just how much work Deer has done for her people, for all Indigenous people in what is now the U.S.
I honestly don't read many autobiographies, but this one was a must-read and I urge you to pick it up too if you have any interest in 20th century American Indian history and Indigenous activism.
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