Keeping Heart on Pine Ridge: Family Ties, Warrior culture, Commodity Foods, Rez Dogs, and the Sacred

by Vic Glover

Author Vic Glover invites readers to cruise down the back roads of the Pine Ridge Indian Reservation, one of the poorest in North America, and meet his family, friends and neighbors. Together, with humor and perseverance, they are strengthened as they try to overcome the social and political forces that threaten their community. Native and non-native alike will find a poignant honesty that grabs them from the opening line to the end. For some it will feel like familiar territory; for others, a heart-opening awakening to the struggles and spirit of The People.

Genres: Nonfiction, Indigenous, Native American, History, American, Anthropology

160 pages, Paperback

First published July 1, 2004

Reviews

[Anne Canvasser · Rating 5 out of 5]

As I read each essay I found myself turning to google so I could learn and understand more about The People, the rez and how they kept themselves together. It was funny, poignant and informative all at once. Excellent read!

[Pedro · Rating 2 out of 5]

I'm really surprised at how much Indian literature I've had to read over these past few years. It has little to do with my major or interests, yet I keep running into short story compilations by native authors. This one is decent, but Sherman Alexie does the same type of job far better. My criticisms of these are similar to my problems with the Alexie's work. Vic Glover's stories are not offensive or unpleasant, but his writing style is workmanlike, and I have difficulty caring much about or even keeping track of his many characters. This anthology contains an occasional poetic moment, but rarely do his anecdotes have any narrative purpose. Maybe someone who hasn't read much about reservation life will find these enlightening, but for me they were just forgettable.

[Elizabeth · Rating 4 out of 5]

Rarely does a book make me laugh out loud and then a few pages later, shed a few tears. Beautifully written, the essays are a stunning portrait of an area that seems forgotten by most. Or if remembered, as the author tells us, it's not for long or it's for personal gain. In such a hopeless place, I found hope, strength, dignity, true friendship, resilience, and the honoring of one's place in time.

This area of the world haunts me, Pine Ridge. I've visited a few times. The last trip was startling to me. The poverty of the area is as raw and harsh as the landscape, yet the people and the area are incredibly beautiful. I have a love of wide open spaces. You can see so far. The People here are wide open and far sighted as well. The author tells stories in such exquisite simplicity. I could have read forever.

This is an important piece of work. Well written, hilarious, and heartbreaking. I highly recommend.

(To immediately help this area, please visit Friends of Pine Ridge online.)

[Petter Nordal · Rating 5 out of 5]

I picked this up at the Friends of the library sale. It's all short anecdotes and stories about Glover and the people in his life on Pine Ridge in South Dakota.

The writing is straightforward, conversational; i end up feeling like i can hear the intonation in his voice.

What really moved me, though, is to feel like i've been permitted into a strangers kitchen to be allowed to sit there and drink their coffee and have them carry on with their conversations and problems, welcoming me into their home with such generosity. Seeing the difficulties of life on Pine Ridge and the perseverence, the generosity, the tenacity, wel it's humbling. I feel indebted to them.

A great, true book.

[Adina · Rating 4 out of 5]

Realistic and interesting stories about life on The Pine Ridge Reservation. Some of the stories, about the roads, weather, the tourists with whacy ideas how they can "fix' the Res, the food, really took me back to my experiences visiting the Res while working with The Lakota Fund. The stories about the Sun Dance and twice weekly sweat lodges taught me about the spiritual life there. I thoroughly enjoyed this book and at the same time it is a hard read because life is so very hard on Pine Ridge, it's hard to imagine if you've never been there.

[Noel Bass · Rating 4 out of 5]

One of the most helpful books in my studies into the reservation life of the Lakota Indians. It's written by a long time resident and is dripping with Native humor and culture. It takes the mystery and movie-made magic away and serves you a plate of commodity Indian Tacos. Good stuff if know what you're reading.

[Robt. · Rating 5 out of 5]

This is one of the best books I've read in a long time. Affirming, with a dry sense of humor.

[Terri · Rating 4 out of 5]

I thought the stories in the book were funny. I love American Indian humor! Now I want to write my own book regarding Pine Ridge, SD, since I lived there until I was 11.

[Glen · Rating 5 out of 5]

Read about life on Pine Ridge from one who lives there.

[Jessica Ebertz · Rating 5 out of 5]

Heart rending at times, dryly funny, always real. Grabs you and puts you there. I hope he writes more.