In her books Lakota Woman and Ohitika Woman, Native American author Mary Crow Dog describes life on the Rosebud Indian Reservation in South Dakota.
Sponsored by Ohio University's Native Peoples Awareness Coalition, Crow Dog will speak about Native American spirituality and her life experiences tonight in Baker Center. She will also be part of a special brown bag discussion tomorrow.
In the 1970s, Crow Dog was a part of the American Indian Movement, a Native American activist organization. She took part in many protests, including the Siege at Wounded Knee, where activists seized the town of Wounded Knee, S.D.
The Post's Anna Sudar spoke with Crow Dog about religious exploitation, activism and preserving the environment.
The Post: Can you tell me a little bit about what you'll be talking about?
Mary Crow Dog: I'll probably be talking a little bit about ... the past, the present and what we are looking for toward the future for our people and not only our native people ... the whole nation is finally paying attention to Mother Earth ... If they want me to speak about traditional ways that is good ... and if they want to hear creation stories ... that would be fine, too.
Post: You're the author of two books about your life and being a Native American woman. What inspired you to write your books?
Crow Dog: For me, it was a way to put a memoir down for my son ... in case something happened, he would know. So it really wasn't intended to be a book.
Post: Are you still involved with Native American activism?
Crow Dog: It depends on the issue. I'm active in the communities with our suicide awareness. The suicide rate (on the reservations) surpass the national suicide rate amongst young people so that kind of activism I'm involved in steered more towards the young people and towards trying to regain some sort of stability ... I want things to be good for our people, especially our young people, so they have something to look forward to.
Post: Why should students come hear you speak?
Crow Dog: There's exploitation (of Native American religion) going on out east ... There are people out there willing to make a buck from someone's naivety, so my message would be to clear the air of what is right and what is wrong, what is exploitative and what isn't ...
3 Culture
Anna Sudar
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