Pretty-Shield: Medicine Woman of the Crows

I was taken by the deep abiding wisdom that fills every page of this book. Pretty Shield is a Elder, Medicine Woman of the Crow who magnetically tells her story of growing up on the plains before her people were herded onto a Reservation. The stories of her childhood are captivating and profound. One comes away from this book discovering the wisdom of native peoples on the plains before they were colonized by Eurocentric peoples. There is insight on the meaning of "medicine" power and how to yield it on behalf of the people. It is never for the sake of individual pride, personal prestige, and ego enhancement. European peoples can stand to learn much from this knowledge which is sadly disappearing in our contemporary moment. Moreover, there are many fine lessons for anyone who can still honor and respect native wisdom and those who can still come with an empty cup. After reading this narrative you will be uplifted and perhaps, find healing on many subtly levels. Pretty Shield notes that strong people can heal themselves. Her wisdom - while profound - is augmented by her original sense of humor still in touch with the core of her innocence. One of the chief lessons of the book, methinks. Story has a way with us but especially by those who can take us through the doorway of the heart. This is Pretty Shield's gift and her calling. If you are open to it, you might find your life being transformed by the wisdom which is powerful and significantly compelling. This is a highly enjoyable and wise book by an elder of notable recognition.

I couldn't put the book down. Pretty Shield takes the reader by the hand and takes him/her into the times when buffalo were a-plenty, there was always a danger of a Lakota or Cheyenne raid, a grizzly behind the corner - yet there was always laughing, joy, aliveness and community. Growing up as a child was not being sheltered from the vicissitudes of life - on the contrary, it was taking life seriously by playing in it. It was living on the edge; and only by living on the edge one can really be alive. One learns so much more from a book like this than from anthropological literature. The title says "medicine woman" probably at the insistence of the publisher. While there may not be much about 'Crow Medicine' in the factual, "Western' sense of the word, the medicine - the power of life - creeps out of almost every page. The confidence, the taking-care of her family is a manifestation of her Medicine; the story-telling, the knowledge about the animal and little "People" (spirits), how one gets to meet them and gets their help and the stories of healing that these days could only be classified as miraculous, can be told only by someone who knows what they are talking about. In other words, Pretty Shield teaches obliquely, like the Indians do, through stories. And this book delivers them with sensitivity, respect and simplicity which show that Linderman learnt something about Crows and their medicine.

This biographical information about Pretty Shield, a Wise One of the Crow was originally compiled and published in the 1930's by Linderman. This book is the third reprint of the original story and contains a new preface by Alma Snell (Pretty Shield's granddaughter) and Becky Matthews. Linderman was called Sign-talker by the Crow due to his insistence that his interview subjects spoke in signs even when a translator was present. His earlier biography about Pretty Shield's clansmen, Plenty Coups, gained him unprecedented respect and admiration within this clan. Due to this distinguished reputation, Pretty Shield was willing to tell Linderman stories about her seventy-four years and about the lives of women before and after the coming of the White men and the decline of the bison herds. Pretty Shield is uniquely candid describing daily activities of women that are rarely recorded. Moreover, she describes specific incidents illustrating traditional Crow behavior and conduct. Many of these sometimes humorous, sometimes heart breaking stories demonstrate both negative and positive examples of such customs, often with Pretty Shield herself being in the wrong. In addition to narrating these stories about Pretty Shield's youth, family, marriage, and the raising of her children, Linderman also records his impressions of Pretty Shield and her life at the time of the interview. This information not only illustrates how traditional Crow ideals relate and are translated into the more modern lifestyles of Pretty Shield and her grandchildren but also allows a view into the personality of a very unique woman. Pretty-shield is a touching biography that will be enjoyed as a recreational read. Nonetheless, this book also contains important rare incites into the lives of traditional and modern Crow women. Thus, the book is suitable for those interested in learning a little about traditional native life as well as those researchers looking for detailed information about the changing lifeways, traditions, and belief systems of the Crow during this transitional period. This book contains unprecedented candid information about this time from a viewpoint rarely recorded presented in an entertaining, easy to read, meaningful way. That the author also wrote a book on the male perspective from the same native group, simply adds to the potential importance of this resource.

a wonderful collection of memories of Pretty Shields life- as soon as you start reading you will love her. A strong, smart woman from the last generation of native people who lived by the way of the earth. you should read this!

I was engrossed with Pretty Shields story from the moment it began. It was wonderful to read of a native woman's life, before "the buffalo went away". Life then was simpler and so full of joy, as well as so many hardships, but the spirit that is brought across is inspiring and uplifting. A wonderful and engrossing read from beginning to end. I thoroughly recommend this book to anyone interested in Native studies, feminism, or simply life, before we came along.