The Girl in the Photograph: The True Story of a Native American Child, Lost and Found in America

by Byron L. Dorgan

Through the story of Tamara, an abused Native American child, North Dakota Senator Byron Dorgan describes the plight of many children living on reservations―and offers hope for the future .

On a winter morning in 1990, U.S. Senator Byron Dorgan of North Dakota picked up the Bismarck Tribune . On the front page, a small Native American girl gazed into the distance, shedding a tear. The "Foster home children beaten―and nobody's helping."

Dorgan, who had been working with American Indian tribes to secure resources, was upset. He flew to the Standing Rock Indian Reservation to meet with five-year-old Tamara who had suffered a horrible beating at a foster home. He visited with Tamara and her grandfather and they became friends. Then Tamara disappeared. And he would search for her for decades until they finally found each other again.

This book is her story, from childhood to the present, but it's also the story of a people and a nation. More than one in three American Indian/Alaskan Native children live in poverty. AI/AN children are disproportionately in foster care and awaiting adoption. Suicide among AI/AN youth ages 15 to 24 is 2.5 times the national rate. How has America allowed this to happen?

As distressing a situation as it is, this is also a story of hope and resilience. Dorgan, who founded the Center for Native American Youth (CNAY) at the Aspen Institute, has worked tirelessly to bring Native youth voices to the forefront of policy discussions, engage Native youth in leadership and advocacy, and secure and share resources for Native youth. You will fall in love with this heartbreaking story, but end the book knowing what can be done and what you can do.

Genres: Nonfiction, Native American, Social Justice, History, Audiobook, Biography, Social Issues

208 pages, Hardcover

First published November 26, 2019

Reviews

[Madeline · Rating 2 out of 5]

DNF at around 50%.

I was curious about this book due to the story of a girl named Tamara, whose case fascinated the author, Senator Dorgan. I wanted to learn more about her case, and the injustices faced by Native Americans. However, I found that the flow of this book was quite odd, and there was not much of a coherent story line for me to follow. Senator Dorgan goes from topic to topic quite easily, with paragraphs switching subjects with little forewarning or transition. Each chapter is also meant to focus on a different facet of Native American life (health care, homelessness, mental health etc), but even within these chapters Senator Dorgan strays from that guiding subject to explore other seemingly random stories and topics. While I appreciated the amount of research that went into this (Senator Dorgan does an extremely thorough job of relating to us many shocking statistics and research), I found it hard to find any sort of narrative thread that would help weave the whole story together. Even the story of Tamara got lost amongst various research facts, and the stories of other Native Americans that Senator Dorgan brings into the mix (making the title somewhat misleading..).

Senator Dorgan also repeats pieces of Tamara's story, and some pieces of research, until it started to drive me crazy. Facts about Tamara's life that he related to us maybe 20 pages ago would be repeated at the beginning of a new section—it was as if he had little trust in us readers to remember things. I think this repetitive style might be more useful in Congress, when debating and trying to hammer your point home, but in a written format it is a bit too monotonous.

I do appreciate the effort Senator Dorgan has made to help bring light to the many systemic issues faced by Native Americans. He has made efforts in Congress and using his own money to fund initiatives to help Native Americans, which is admirable, but that does not make up for how this book manages to fall very flat.

Thank you to Thomas Dunne Books and St. Martin's Press for sending me a finished copy in exchange for an honest review.

[Everydayreader1 · Rating 5 out of 5]

Tamara, a little Native American girl was badly beaten and traumatized as a small child. Her story, when it appeared in the Bismarck Tribune, deeply affected then North Dakota Senator, Byron Dorgan. He traveled to Tamara's home on the Standing Rock Reservation to see her and her grandfather. They later lost touch. Decades later, they found one another again. This book is Tamara's story. And, there is so much to her story.

Byron Dorgan writes this story with such emotion and integrity. He tells Tamara's story and also that of Native Americans. He not only explains the roots of Native American culture, but also what the United States government has done and continues to do to dishonor the treaties made with Native American tribal sovereign nations. This book will make you cry. It will make you angry. It will educate and inform you. And, my hope is, it will motivate you to demand more from those who represent you in Congress.

As a North Dakotan, I was honored to vote for Congressman and then Senator Dorgan numerous times. He is a person of integrity, and he has worked hard to better the lives of those he comes in contact with. With today's rather cynical attitudes toward politicians, the phrase "he cares" genuinely applies. I'm so glad I read this book. I learned much from it, and I think anyone who reads it will also benefit from doing so.

[Rachel · Rating 2 out of 5]

I'm sad to give this book only two stars because I believe the content is very important. I had two problems with it: the title and cover advertise a much different book than what it really is. The content is disorganized and redundant.

[Marty Carey · Rating 2 out of 5]

On one hand, it's a compendium of facts and figures about how Native people have been mistreated, not especially well-written, but certainly important. The title promises "The True Story of a Native American Child, Lost and Found in America" but really doesn't deliver much. It begins with a description of a young girl's horrific foster care situation, a photograph of her in an old newspaper, and a search to find out what became of her. I wanted her story, to know the things she experienced, the people she knew, those who helped her, how she found strength, all that. In fact, her story is only a tiny part of the book, and while I appreciate knowing the facts about Native graduation rates, poverty, broken treaties, etc., I picked up the book to find out about her.

[Ruth · Rating 3 out of 5]

Whoever titled this book did it a disservice. It's less about the girl in the photograph and more a book that uses her story (only very thinly!) to discuss broader matters. I was looking for something much more narrative than what I got.

[MissSusie · Rating 4 out of 5]

There was some repetition in this book but it is such an important book that I will give Byron a pass on that. I am glad to say Byron Dorgan was my senator and I am glad he is shining a light on these stories.

This isn’t an easy book and the stories are tough at times. This book feels like a call to action and with so many Missing Native Women and how we need to continue to shine a light the many of the obstacles the Native Americans face. I also didn’t realize this book was so new that even talks about the DAPL protests and about the suppression of Native American votes in ND in 2016.

Peter Berkrot’s narration was very well done but I have to mention that his voice is a cross between Johnny Heller and Scott Brick. This is not a bad thing it’s just what I hear!

This was a really good book it’s a tough read and maybe some things you didn’t know about what it is like to be Native American in this country. It is also a call to action! What can we do to help??!!?? We need to do better especially in ND this was so obvious by the rift that got so much bigger during the DAPL protests and has not been healed. ND needs to come together and do better!

4 stars

[Allena · Rating 4 out of 5]

This book wasn’t exactly what I thought it was going to be (I thought it was going to be about finding Tamara), but at the end of the day this is an important book that focuses on the problems our government has caused for the First Americans. The first 2/3 is very bleak (but accurate and needed), so I was very glad the author focused on ending the book with positives - Native Americans who are working towards change and other ways we can right the wrongs. I’m glad I read this book and hope lots of people do!

[Josh Hornback · Rating 3 out of 5]

Interesting book, Sen Dorgan does a good job illustrating the plight of native americans on reservations throughout the US. However, while the book was eye-opening..there's not much of it that pertains to the title of the book. Also, the Senator's political biases became very apparent in the last couple chapters. Would recommend because the information should be known, but I would say don't expect the story to be about the girl of the title.

[Maria Parvulescu · Rating 3 out of 5]

Stylistically it was pretty bad honestly. It seemed to jump from topic to topic, even within chapters allegedly about a single topic as othe reviewers have noted. However, the subject matter is important and it is clear that Dorgan has put a lot of research into this and cares deeply about Native American issues.

[Kimberly Brooks · Rating 1 out of 5]

This book could have been so much better! I believe the subject matter is extremely important and much more attention needs to be brought to the injustices against Native Americans. But this book is not going to be something people will want to read. He says "Although statistics are vital to understanding such issues, it's the human condition, the personal stories of anguish and survival, that can move people to action." But all he did was share statistic after statistic! I started skimming through about 15 pages in. When he did write about "the personal stories of anguish and survival," it was pretty good, but it didn't happen often.

[Gloria Bailey · Rating 3 out of 5]

Disappointed - that is how I feel about this book. It is on an important topic -- American Indians and their treatment by our nation who broke all the treaties one after another. But the book is not a biography about a young Indian girl who was lost and found. Such a person existed only briefly in the introduction to this story which is really a cry for political will to treat Native Americans with fairness and stick to treaties negotiated between the tribes and the American Governmnet.

While I found the ideas compelling, the book itself is all over the map. I couldn't follow a story because there is no real story. There is a history of how we have cheated the Native American tribes, and there is an outline of a story about a woman who grew up under the system of reservations, educational opportunities, medical care inadequacy and more. I had to give up about half way through. I am interested in a story line about people and their lives. I am interested in the American Government's neglect of people we were bound by treaties to defend. But I couldn't find a coherent story of either the history of Native Americans in the US or of the young woman, Tamara about whom this story was supposedly about.

I recommend this topic to those who are interested and diligent enough to find their way at least part way through this book. There are organizations listed at the end of the book that one might contact for more information. Or just look at the library for a book that is written and edited for coherence on this important topic.

[William Wehrmacher · Rating 5 out of 5]

The Girl in the Photograph is an amazing book. I was aware of some of the travesties forced upon the Native Americans, but certainly not all, nor does this book tell all of them.

The book is based upon the life of Tamara, a young girl now middle aged, who happened to have her photo in the paper when she was a child. The photo and story about her weighed heavily on the author's heart for a very long time. Eventually, an odd Facebook contact brought Tamara in contact with Sen. Dorgan.

Sen. Dorgan relates the difficulties in her life, and many others, to the hardships foisted upon Native Americans for as long as there were white-men on the continent. I won't try to expand on any of the events causing the difficulties, but be prepared to have your blood boil...as it should.

In the wrap-up of the book, Sen Dorgan states: "Hasn't idealism always been part of America's foundation?" My answer to that question is a resounding "No!" It is, the image we have tried to paint for ourselves, and that view, true or not, certainly does encourage Americans to behave in a way that is often good. This book, shows that it isn't always the case.

If this isn't sufficient to "make your blood boil," pick up and read Killers of the Flower Moon, by David Grann.

I really encourage everyone to read The Girl in the Photograph in order to get a somewhat less propagandized version of American History.

[Sydney · Rating 3 out of 5]

I feel like the title was a bit of a misnomer since the actual person featured on the cover isn't really the focus of most of the book. It's more about various systemic issues that Native Americans face in the USA, though I still appreciate that I learned more about the violence and poverty as well as ways that native folks are responding and problem-solving. Originally picked up the book because I was hoping it might give me more insight as a non-native person how to better be in solidarity with indigenous peoples and I was curious as to how this white senator got so interested. I did find it a little odd that he doesn't even mention in passing that native people are not the only ones who face such deep oppression - the most obvious population omitted being Black people who were forcibly brought here as slaves. Also, he is still pretty centrist in his beliefs about how the lives of native people can be improved (e.g. not more strongly condemning whether we really need oil pipelines when we could be doing a more rapid transition to clean renewable energy sources, and saying that jobs and education would be the solution to poverty but not really questioning the underpinnings of our capitalist, colonial state).

[skketch · Rating 3 out of 5]

***NOVEL THOUGHTS***

The Girl in the Photograph is Tamara, the real life American Indian girl whose life as a child left her with PTSD and other internal scars that no one would see because of the life she endured living with her alcoholic and abusive parents and extended relatives. Her story is really the jumping off point for Sen. Bryon Dorgan's plea that the US government has long neglected these first Americans and what suffering they have gone through over many generations. Tamara, who reconnects with Sen Dorgan 30 years later, shares her lifetime of struggles as he painstakingly points out the broken promises and apparent disregard of these indigenous people from health care, mental health care, education and basic work opportunities and the cost to these human beings whose beliefs and practices were different from those of the western whites who began to settle these lands. It is a startling read but no different to what African Americans have gone through at the hands of white plantation owners and the struggles over the past 200 years for all the same issues that face the first Americans. We should all be ashamed. Racism, prejudice and second class treatment has no place in the world. Treat people how you wish to be treated.

[Cheryl · Rating 2 out of 5]

The book is about a young Indian girl in a picture. What happened to her was wholesale neglect on the behalf of Indian Affairs and the United States government. This book was more about the plight of the Indians in the poorest broken down slab of land the USA government could find to stick them. You think of the poorest neighborhoods in the USA, who at the very least have some sense of programs to help them: food stamps, work, retraining for work, housing, etc. The Indians have none of that, they are on a barren piece of land thats worth nothing unless the USA wants something, many have no running water or electricity, schools are below poverty, Health care lasts only as long as the money lasts, food provides the barest of subsistence. This is about broken promises, broken treaties, the people that time forgot and continue to forget and in the midst of this a young severely abused child and what happened to her. The book should be about what we as people are doing to help, but even voting to give money to the purpose doesn't then mean it isn't redirected to something else in Congress. These are the people that the USA continues to forget about!

[(Lonestarlibrarian) Keddy Ann Outlaw · Rating 4 out of 5]

Audio version. Quite an update on Native America. Not so much any one story such as the girl in the photograph, though we do learn about her difficult childhood and homelessness. Eventually her life story seems to improve, but is just one small thread of the narrative, a comprehensive overview of the state of Native American affairs.

Poverty on the reservations, government malfeasance, tribal rights and more are covered here. I am glad I listened to it, especially glad to hear some upbeat stories of First Americans who are making a big difference. Just as with our country’s history with slavery, the genocide of First Americans that took place is long overdue for acknowledgment. The author pleads for efforts to be made to improve the lives of Amerindians. He also gives possible solutions. May it be so.

(Narrator’s voice got a little cloying at times and that is why I gave this 4 stars instead of 5.)

[Anna · Rating 3 out of 5]

I’ve just started this book, and am most incensed at one point. Much talk and deliberation is given to foster homes; where to put the kids, getting more support for the social workers who remove the kids.. Why are the children consistently removed from their own homes and families? Let them stay with the people who have a chance at actually loving them. We should support the families, enable them to keep and raise their children. Some of the foster families were obviously only after that government check; why not give that money to the family so they can stay together? I worked in a childrens ER for 14 years, and was always horrified that 9/10 of the kids who came in with injuries during the night shift were foster children. Well, back into the book....I like that options for improving life for First Nation people are listed. that said, it was a difficult book to get through; repetive, oddly written

[Wendy · Rating 5 out of 5]

Being a resident of South Dakota, a transplant from WI and MN, it was clear to me much of the racism and prejudice that exists.

This author lays out in the least judgmental most hopeful way possible considering the circumstances framing the situation that presents itself with regards to the abject poverty and abuse.

This is a story that hurts your heart but needs to be told. For instance, I am ashamed that I didn't know the government reclaimed the Badlands to mine $1 billion in gold, none of which went to the Native American land owners.

This is one of the many facts presented in an attempt to inform and subsequently affect change. The first step is to inform, the next is to help be part of the change initiative.

[Mark Bourdon · Rating 4 out of 5]

“The arc of the moral universe is long, but it bends towards justice.” MLK Jr).

This book talks about Tamara’s struggles, her challenges, and against the odds, her survival; as well as painting the difficult and challenging picture of the lives of many Native Americans, historically and today. Senator Dorgan outlines the cultural and intergenerational trauma that has contributed to abuse, violence, poverty, substance abuse, gangs, and crime; as well as education and medical deficiencies brought about by US Governmental policies and practices. It also identifies many broken promises, lies, and examples of theft and deceit from which non-Indians have benefited. The book ends with possibilities and solutions.

[ReadaBook · Rating 4 out of 5]

A sobering, depressing book about Native Americans and the lack of federal support In line with (& adherence to) treaties and other official rulings between tribes and the federal government. The destruction of a little girl in foster care and her struggle to survive forms the basis of the discussion of so many inequities.
In this time of awareness and understanding of widespread discrimination, and public support for change & improvement, this is a book every American should read.
Took off a star because this book begs for substantial references. Given all the data provided, lacking these references also diminishes the weight of former Senator Dorgan’s strong desire to end these inequities.

[Stephanie · Rating 3 out of 5]

Dorgan brings many issues facing Native Americans to light by telling the story of one young woman who impacted his life. Towards the end of the book, he starts introducing examples of others who are dedicating their lives to help their people.

In the last chapter, Dogan presents some solutions to how to fix the problems, this is the only section of the book that gets heavy in political thought (I did laugh at the part about Obama being a defender for Natives - he did nothing to stop the events at Standing Rock). Although many may not agree with Dogan's views, there is a lot we could discuss here... it appears the most important part is bring Native Americans into the conversation to start planning the best ways to help.

[Stacy · Rating 3 out of 5]

This book gives a really good look at current issues facing our Native American populations. They are long standing issues that our government and general population have no desire to make better, unfortunately. Pulling yourself up by your bootstraps has been bunk for a long time, but is an especially egregious reaction to a population and culture that has been set up stay on the bottom and use as a good scapegoat so the majority of us can feel better about ourselves. I wish the book would have focused more on Tamara, but it's important for this information to be out there. I really wish Mr. Dorgan was still in politics. It was a sad day when he released that he was retiring. Dorgan, Conrad, and Pomeroy did amazing things for the state of ND. Those days of politics are sorely missed.

[Judy · Rating 5 out of 5]

Matter of fact writing style of a subject we are finally putting a face to. The neglect and abuse we have done to the Native Americans. The First Americans. This book, written by a senator, will open your eyes to how the first Americans are living. I took my time reading this book because I wanted to digest every fact I read.

This book is for all Americans. It's for all of us who came over from another country. Remember: this country was inhabited before we arrived. It had been inhabited for MANY years. Greed is what we used as a tool to take over the United States of America.

Pick up this book and tell everyone you know about it. We need to change how we treat our fellow Americans.

[Denice Langley · Rating 5 out of 5]

A direct, comprehensive look at the shocking abuse of Native American people and their resources. Byron Dorgan was a US Senator when he first met Tamara, the girl in the photograph. After reading her story and seeing the conditions she and other children were living in, Senator Dorgan started a concentrated effort to improve the living conditions and increase the opportunities available to natives across the map. This book is well researched and uses current data to drive home the actions needed for immediate and long term improvements. This book is most definitely a conversation starter. Read this story and share it with everyone you know.

[Leigh Gaston · Rating 2 out of 5]

Former North Dakota Senator Dorgan writes a book that attempts to raise awareness to the injustice, trauma, poverty, abuse, the lack of quality care at IHS (Indian Healthcare Services) and more that has occurred (and continues today) to the Native Americans tribes. He has such a good heart but this book just did not flow well. It jumped around and seemed unfocused. Filled with mind blowing stats but not cohesive.

Not sure if he just tried to tackle too many important issues all at once that he ended up just scratching the surface on all. I really wanted to like this book but finally gave up about 3/4 of the way through.

[Jodell Larimer · Rating 4 out of 5]

I rated this book as a medium 4. It was of interest because Senator Dorgan, the author, followed the true story an individual child, Tamara, throughout the book. Unfortunately, she is representative of what is more common than rare in how Native American children and tribal citizens on reservations and off are viewed and treated. This is an area of American history and shameful behavior that needs to be examined and understood. Senator Dorgan relates the facts in a compassionate manner and the reader is left with hope. They should also recognize possibilities of personal growth and action to help with mitigation and solutions.

[Robyn · Rating 1 out of 5]

THE GIRL IN THE PHOTOGRAPH
Byron Dorgan

I thought this book would be up my alley and it might give a new insight into child abuse that I could use as lecture material.

HOWEVER, while the topic is of great concern, it reads like you are the basketball at an NBA (I think that is correct) game. Bouncing here and then there I was always off-topic and a bit behind. I was relieved to see that several others had the same impression of the writing style as I did. With that said, thank your stars that Mr. Dorgan is a Senator and not an author.

Important topic, but no flow, no cohesive plot or story map to follow, just a bouncing ball.

1 star

Happy Reading!

[Melissa · Rating 4 out of 5]

From reading other reviews it seemed some felt there wasn't enough content specifically on the story of Tamara and her past/present/future. I felt there were many touch points to that but also many call outs for the issues still occurring for Indigenous and First Nation persons. We need more advocates reminding us of our true national origins and history and to keep in mind how distilled our education has been. As a lifelong midwestern citizen it has been mind-blowing how little I was taught about the Native communities and their history. We must continue to educate ourselves and be mindful of these voices.

[Pat · Rating 5 out of 5]

Growing up on the Standing Rock reservation as a Non Native American this book was so eye opening!! I can relate to so many of these stories but after reading this book, I feel so ashamed of what we did. I remember Senator Dorgan when he was representing ND and am so glad he has taken on this important role to help right so many wrongs.

The book does seem to be repetitive at times, but I felt sometimes it needed to be as it emphasizes the point being made. And I enjoyed reading about those that are the change makers today both youth and adults including our Peggy Flanagan, Lt Governor of MN an inspiration to many. Thank you Senator Dorgan.

[Beth Postema · Rating 4 out of 5]

Not a stylistic wonder, but it pulls together so many issues in Indian Country. All of these issues had an effect in one young woman's life, and it's a wonder that she is still living. Dorgan relates the story of Tamara, pointing out time after time how the federal, state, tribal, and local governments failed her. Those of us who live in the Northern Plains encounter these issues in the news or face to face in our cities. The book deserves a wider audience just because so many in this country have no clue about how the First Americans have been treated.