Back on the rez: Finding the way home

As a Mohawk living on the rez, I can say much of what Maracle writes about is funny, humorous, and true. The one other primary truth is that even being gone for a long time, a person can return only to find nothing really has changed very much except the geography. Attitudes, beliefs, and stories stand the test of time and remian steadfast in the hearts of the people

i spent two weeks on the six nations rez that brian maracle centers his book on. maracle recounts his experiences upon returning to the rez, which include fixing his home (check out the chapter with the broken water pump!), and of course encountering rez bureaucracy. maracle explores the problems that face his community but does not accept a defeatist attitude, rather he adopts a humorous perspective. this was a great read. thanks to my dear friend nonwasichu for lending me the book, for your hospitality, and for the icecream.

I found myself searching for more information after reading this excellent work. Maracle obviously knows of what he speaks and he educates us New Yorkers about the historical timeline and the present and future concerns of the confederacy in a way that no high school social studies teacher ever did for us.

As a person from this reserve who was not raised there but in a city I can relate to the experiences of the author. The descriptions of the mishaps and triumphs of living "back home'" had me feeling like I had moved back too. Very entertaining and insightful as well as educational. A lot of things are explained and a lot of myths are laid to rest. I wish more people had access to this kind of information, written in a way that's a joy to read instead of the authoritative Í Know All info usually out there about natives and reserves written by experts.