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cosmicbookworm's review against another edition
challenging
emotional
informative
reflective
medium-paced
4.0
"New Poets of Native Nations" is a collection of twenty-one contemporary Native poets. The anthology presents a diverse range of perspectives and serves as an excellent exploration of modern Native poetry. The editor, Heid E. Erdrich, selected poets whose first collections were published after 2000, most of whom are members or citizens of a tribe. Although it is impossible to produce a volume that represents all of the more than 566 Native nations in the U.S., the poets and poems selected provide a diverse sampling. Erdich begins each section with a brief introduction to the poet. At the end of the volume, each poet provides a brief personal introduction, which I found valuable. Many of the poems rose above the level of my comprehension because they come from a world that I am unfamiliar with. Two of the poems that stood out to me were Layli Long Soldier's "38," which is a powerful piece about the Dakota 38 - an important event in U.S. history that I intend to learn more about, and Natalie Diaz's "American Arithmetic," which also gives me a lot to think about and study further. I read this book because it was selected as this month's book studied by the poetry book club I am part of. I found it to be a valuable read and am thankful for the opportunity.
lingfish7's review against another edition
challenging
dark
emotional
informative
reflective
relaxing
sad
medium-paced
4.0
jesshooves's review against another edition
5.0
“We do and we do not write of treaties, battles, and drums. We do and we do not write about eagles, spirits, and canyons. Native poetry may be those things, but it is not only those things. It is also about grass and apologies, bones and joy, marching bands and genocide, skin, and social work, and much more. “ —Heid E. Erdrich’s Introduction
gneumann's review against another edition
5.0
beautiful collection of poetry. absolutely adore layli long soldier. so worth the read.
katiez0314's review against another edition
4.0
This was a really wide mix of themes ranging from native culture, identity, love, and language.
21 native poets ranging in tribal affiliations and life experience.
I enjoyed reading this and learned a lot
21 native poets ranging in tribal affiliations and life experience.
I enjoyed reading this and learned a lot
emilywiese's review against another edition
5.0
Poetry creates a powerful medium to not only lay out the foundation for rich discussion, but also is able to touch upon such painful topics. New Poets of Native Nations edited by Heid E. Erdrich really captures the essence of issues still facing Native American tribes of today.
Erdrich collected poems from authors past the year 2000 giving an overall theme to the book: identity. As white settlers stole land and culture from many Native American tribes, we also stole chunks and sections of their identity. Many of the poems touched on the brokenness of that identity and how empty it is knowing that part of them can never be made whole again or even replaced. Many of the poems also incorporated Native words and deep ties to their culture and communities that I researched to help see meaning beyond the words just sitting on the page.
Poetry gives way to multiple interpretations and lead ways to learn more than just what is seen throughout non-fiction works. We see the pain, heartache, emotion, hopefulness, numbness- overall the real raw feelings of those who are Native Americans addressing our modern world. Studying Secondary English Education, this book would be wonderful to incorporate within the classroom. Students will not only be learning how to read and understand poetry, but be able to dive deeper into Native American literature. I never learned much about Native Americans within my own experience, thus poetry can be a diving off point where from there we can study non-fiction books or articles and really learn about the past and what occurs today.
I highly recommend this book for not only teachers, but truly for anyone to read. I learned many metaphors that apply to my own life, like the “circle of life”, but how broken that circle is for Native Americans. It not only highlights issues, but also makes me reflect on my own beliefs and attitudes on subject-matter I truly was clueless about.
MY TOP 10 FAVORITE POEMS:
Gwen Nell Westerman -- Linear (pg. 68)
Eric Gansworth -- Speaking Through Our Nation’s Teeth (pg. 240)
Gordon Henry Jr. -- Dear Sonny (pg. 175)
Janet McAdams -- Leaving the Old Gods (pg. 257)
Jennifer Elise Foerster -- Birthmark (pg. 82)
M. L. Smoker -- We Are The Ones (pg. 200)
Trevino L. Brings Plenty -- For the Sake of Beauty (pg. 109)
Craig Santo Perez -- First Trimester (pg. 164)
Cedar Sigo -- Thrones (pg. 216)
Tracey M. Atsitty -- Anasazi (pg. 5)
Erdrich collected poems from authors past the year 2000 giving an overall theme to the book: identity. As white settlers stole land and culture from many Native American tribes, we also stole chunks and sections of their identity. Many of the poems touched on the brokenness of that identity and how empty it is knowing that part of them can never be made whole again or even replaced. Many of the poems also incorporated Native words and deep ties to their culture and communities that I researched to help see meaning beyond the words just sitting on the page.
Poetry gives way to multiple interpretations and lead ways to learn more than just what is seen throughout non-fiction works. We see the pain, heartache, emotion, hopefulness, numbness- overall the real raw feelings of those who are Native Americans addressing our modern world. Studying Secondary English Education, this book would be wonderful to incorporate within the classroom. Students will not only be learning how to read and understand poetry, but be able to dive deeper into Native American literature. I never learned much about Native Americans within my own experience, thus poetry can be a diving off point where from there we can study non-fiction books or articles and really learn about the past and what occurs today.
I highly recommend this book for not only teachers, but truly for anyone to read. I learned many metaphors that apply to my own life, like the “circle of life”, but how broken that circle is for Native Americans. It not only highlights issues, but also makes me reflect on my own beliefs and attitudes on subject-matter I truly was clueless about.
MY TOP 10 FAVORITE POEMS:
Gwen Nell Westerman -- Linear (pg. 68)
Eric Gansworth -- Speaking Through Our Nation’s Teeth (pg. 240)
Gordon Henry Jr. -- Dear Sonny (pg. 175)
Janet McAdams -- Leaving the Old Gods (pg. 257)
Jennifer Elise Foerster -- Birthmark (pg. 82)
M. L. Smoker -- We Are The Ones (pg. 200)
Trevino L. Brings Plenty -- For the Sake of Beauty (pg. 109)
Craig Santo Perez -- First Trimester (pg. 164)
Cedar Sigo -- Thrones (pg. 216)
Tracey M. Atsitty -- Anasazi (pg. 5)
scrow1022's review against another edition
5.0
Marvelous collection, many poets I had not previously encountered (plus some old favorites!), digging deeper into their work. Such a gift.