Confessions of an Iyeska

by Viola Burnette

In this autobiography, Viola Burnette braids the history of the Lakota people with the story of her own life as an Iyeska , or mixed-race Indian. Bringing together her years growing up on a reservation, her work as a lawyer and legal advocate for Native peoples, and her woman’s perspective, she draws the reader into an intelligent and intimate conversation.
 
The Fort Laramie treaties of 1851 and 1868 changed everything for the Sioux. When Burnette was born on the Rosebud Indian Reservation in the late 1930s, her people were still striving to make sense of how to live under the impoverished conditions created by the imposed land restrictions. Like most Native children at that time, she was forced by federal law to attend boarding school and assimilate into white culture. Her story reveals the resulting internal conflict that she and her people faced in embracing their own identity in a world where those in authority taught that speaking Lakota and being Indian were wrong. After a difficult jump into adulthood, Burnette emerged from an abusive marriage and, while raising four children, enrolled in junior college in her thirties and law school in her forties. She went on to become an advocate for women subjected to domestic violence and the first attorney general for the Rosebud Sioux Tribe.
 
Borne out under the far-reaching effects of the government-enforced restructuring of her people, Burnette’s inspiring narrative of strength and determination makes clear the importance of understanding history from a Native standpoint.
 
“I am an Iyeska and I am assimilated, but on my own terms. I choose when, where, and how I use the knowledge and skills I have learned. As long as we continue to teach our children and grandchildren the language, values, and traditions of the Lakota people, we will survive.”—from the book
 

Genres: Memoir

288 pages, Paperback

Published October 31, 2018

Reviews

[Sherri · Rating 5 out of 5]

I love to read autobiographies because they expand my knowledge of the human condition and, in this case, the female condition. Viola's life overlapped my own life for the most part so I was familiar with the poverty that most people experienced after WWII. Poverty on the reservation was more pronounced because of the tribal laws that were passed a century or more ago. These laws mean that life on reservations is more constricted than in urban areas. Schools have historically been underfunded and poorly staffed. Viola's family was the hidden strength in her life. She had a brother, sister, uncle, aunt, cousin, niece or nephew in almost every place she lived. She could stay with a relative for a few days or even months so she could get her footing in a new place. The obstacles that Viola and her family overcame in order to get a good education were monumental. Her transformation from reservation child to Army wife to single mother to the first female American Indian judge in South Dakota is truly inspiring. She made a difference. Isn't that what we all want to do?

[Donna · Rating 5 out of 5]

I love Viola Burnetts’s autobiography! Although I did not know her personally, her writing drew me in so that I did feel like I knew her. I could not put the book down and finished it in two nights. Viola was separated from her family on the reservation at a young age and was sent to a boarding school. Viola survived many obstacles and disappointments in her life but she kept pushing on and raised four daughters on her own. She became became an attorney, judge and Attorney General for the Rosebud Reservation, all while battling a very debilitating health condition. Viola was an amazing woman and this is an amazing story.

[Christine · Rating 5 out of 5]

My Unci’s (Grandmother’s) memoir. Published posthumously and my Ina (mother) was the ghost writer to make it complete. My Unci had more to say and not enough wellness or time to say it all. Still I cherish the words she did leave. Her story inspires me.

[Lisa Butterworth · Rating 5 out of 5]

I did not know that Iyeska meant mixed native american and white. Just FYI

This book is a wonder! Memoir/autobiography of an amazing woman with so many interesting experiences, growing up on the farm, living through domestic violence, traveling the world with small children, returning to the reservation, going to law school, fighting the good fight, serving the native community through badass lawyering! Love this book.

[Sharon Skinner · Rating 4 out of 5]

This is a thoughtful, honest reflection of the life of a woman of great strength. Reading this book made me realize that we are not separated from our ugly conqueror heritage as much as we would like to believe. And reading it now, when so much seems to be sliding backward, was an emotional journey that makes me wonder what else I can do in my life to mitigate the inhumane treatment of others in the world, and especially in this country.

Viola Burnette lived a powerful life. She dealt with many struggles to become an empowering voice and advocate.

NOTE: Not only was this book important for me to read because of the issues faced by the author, but because I knew her. I babysat her four daughters when I was a young teenager.

[Heather Tidd · Rating 5 out of 5]

I really loved this book! I was enthralled with the personal story and the descriptive way Viola spoke of tribal life and the challenges Native people have faced and continue to face.
I would definitely recommend this book