SNAKEBITE: When An Indigenous Woman Heals

by Zena Schultz

Growing up Indian on the Reservation is like living with the thief who stole your inheritance, like paying for your groceries with buttons; that's my experience. As a writer and filmmaker, my experiences pour out my being like a slowly rising tide; I'm here. Us Natives, we are stewards of the land and all Turtle Island experiences; we orate to heal and also procrastinate. Like my mother, an unhealthy Indigenous father-like person raised me; he is whom I attract(ed). To survive, I bent over backward to please him every year of my life, even after his death. I still found myself bending over, bowing to employers, bankers, friends, my husband, and anyone who stood in front of me or behind me. After years of addiction and shit, I surrendered my life to Creator and chose to live and thrive, not just be alive.
In this book, the main character lives vicariously through me; she tells my story and many of my life experiences of being a missing Indigenous woman. Missing? I wandered this earth, not knowing who I was or my purpose. I am very thankful I fell on my face, tired of trying to quit drinking. There, I was in a space ready to heal and forgive and be forgiven. My back is still sore, but I'm not breaking it for anyone anymore. My healing is for my mom and granny and all the women in my Rise, Indigenous woman, Rise! My story and victory are yours too. This book series tells my story, my husband, my mom's, granny's, dad's, and eventually, my children's and grandchildren.

110 pages, Paperback

Published June 7, 2022