Moon of the Snowblind: Spirit Lake Massacre

by Gary Kelley

The Spirit Lake massacre in March of 1857 was a dark moment in Iowa History, incited by indigenous resistance to their loss of homeland, culture, and people. A number of white settlers in northwest Iowa's lakes region were killed. Four female survivors were taken by lnkpaduta and his band of Dakota Sioux. Tracked by militias and military, they took their captives north into Minnesota, then west into what is now South Dakota. Come May 1857, two of the captives had lost their lives. And two survived, including young Abigail Gardner, who went on to write an autobiography of her grim experience. Eventually the two survivors were rescued by friendly Dakotas thanks to Minnesota Indian agent Charles Flandrau. lnkpaduta and his struggling people also survived, escaping westward onto the Great Plains and its more resistant indigenous culture.

Genres: Graphic Novels, Nonfiction, History

184 pages, Paperback

Published March 8, 2021

Reviews

[Katie · Rating 3 out of 5]

2.5/5 stars. I grew up visiting my mom's side of the family in Spirit Lake, Iowa every summer. We visited the Abbey Gardner cabins multiple times, so when I saw this graphic novel advertised as showcasing the native perspective, I was excited. I adored the illustrations, but as others have said here, this is mismarketed as 85% of this is still just focused on Abbey and her family. Even the intro at the beginning of "there are two sides to every story" felt off (after finishing this) because that opening feels suited for a different book.

[Kathleen · Rating 4 out of 5]

A blend of research drawn from personal memoir, newspapers & poetry combine with evocative black and white illustrations to tell the not widely known known story of a massacre that occurred in Iowa in the 19th Century. The graphic novel format worked beautifully to tell the story in its weaving of words and drawings.
The author/illustrator, Gary Kelley, has been a friend to my brother, Dan & his wife, Donna for many years. They have generously gifted the books that Kelley has illustrated over the years to me.
Although it may seem a strange thing to include in my review....but I have to say the weight and quality of the paper that was used to create this graphic novel made the experience of reading it more pleasant.

[Anna Bowser · Rating 2 out of 5]

I was thrilled to stumble across this book in my hometown library. I was taught about Abbie Gardner as a central component to Iowa history in middle school. Unfortunately, my education and exploration of the events stopped with the outdated textbooks from middle school. Kelley promised a fuller look at the story and a telling “from both sides”, so I don’t think I was overly ambiguous to hope that I would be getting a better picture of the historical, racial, and societal contexts of the story. This book seems a sorry attempt at that goal. A disproportionately large chunk of the writing is reserved for introducing us to the white settlers, their treacherous journey, the hardships and victories. In terms of the story being told, it is obvious that to the author these are the main characters. These are the characters that have lives and family members and friends that as a reader we are clearly meant to connect to. I was sincerely hoping this was not another book that centered only the white characters in this narrative, brushing all others in broad strokes as two dimensional characters. Unfortunately, it was.

[Anh Tran · Rating 2 out of 5]

For a book that boasts of telling the native side of the story, it had very little insight and even less narrative on the Native Americans. This book read more like a history book filled with dates and pictures events. The majority of the book is focused on the white settlers, the raids, and the captives. The violence and injustices against Native Americans are only briefly mentioned in the beginning and other historical events glossed over.

[Ryan H · Rating 3 out of 5]

I knew only vaguely of the Spirit Lake Massacre, so this was a concise story of the event. While I've never read any of the other books on the massacre, I would still say this book takes the perspective of the white settlers more than the indigenous peoples.

[Eric · Rating 4 out of 5]

Random pick from the Native American Heritage display at my local DPL branch. Very sad story. I feel like I knew parts of this bit of history, but definitely not all of it. What does one say? It seems as though the settlers were just trying to start a new life, but that new life was taking place on the Dakota's ancestral land. What unfolded was really upsetting, but I was happy that there was some positive news at the end. Not for the Native Americans, though. Another reminder of the horrific treatment of the indigenous people here and around the world.

[TJ · Rating 5 out of 5]

Very informative read. I visited the cabin about 30 years ago as a kid and had Abby Gardner’s book, but never read it. I thought I’d read this first before starting that. It gave a njce overview of what happened. I will still investigate other viewpoints as others said this graphic novel isn’t totally accurate, but then again, what historical source is? Nice pictures as well.

[Jim · Rating 2 out of 5]

I am sorry to say this take misses some very important aspects of the massacre in Iowa. I do like that he has tried to cover the story from a native perspective, but even this failed for me. The graphic novel here assumes that a few pictures will suffice the need for detail. The author misplaces numerous facts and misappropriates numerous others. While this is a novel, I for one must request the reader caution in quoting aspects of this book. The major aspect of Henry Lott and the events at Springfield are almost left out in this writing as well cause for the smallpox epidemic that was due to intentional distribution of contaminated blankets. For a realistic depiction of the facts looking for firsthand accounts like those in the Gardner biography "History of the Spirit Lake Massacre" are highly recommended to any who want to know how the story played out. As for the claims made by the author to telling the native side of the story fall into great disappointments for me. Reading "Black Elk Speaks" and "Inkpaduta" are also a must for those who wish to feel the hurt and frustrations of the Native Lakota of 1857 Iowa.

[Greta · Rating 4 out of 5]

I’m no expert on graphic stories, but I found the artwork here captivating (no pun intended). It almost looks like woodcuts at times, and I like the “sketchy” designs. The stark black and white also adds drama.

As for the story, I live in Iowa and have a cabin on Big Spirit, so I’m familiar with the narrative. I have mixed feelings. It spent quite a bit of time telling the westward migration story of the Gardners and their neighbors, but almost no time exploring Inkpaduta’s group’s travels. I also wish he would have looked more at Inkpaduta’s group. Who else did he travel with? What stories there should be examined?

The story is brutal. I do feel sympathetic toward the Dakota; they were hungry and repeatedly threatened. I also recognize how horrible and bloody the killings were. It’s tough to balance the narrative. I appreciate how he tried.

I also would have liked more explanation of the moons — how the sections were divided.

I’m glad I read it.

[Sue · Rating 5 out of 5]

I loved this book (wish it was longer.) As a kid who went to summer camp for several years on Lake Okoboji, the story of Abby Gardner being kidnapped by Naive Americans, was part of the camp program. Each year, the camp vans would take us to the Gardner cabin to see where the family was massacred in the 1800’s. The best part of this book was that it shows WHY the Natives killed several families in that area. I can’t believe how negligent our country has been, to tell the real story of the Indians who were pushed westward, as white men felt entitled to their land. Kelley’s illustrations are a perfect accompaniment.

[Ronald Fink · Rating 4 out of 5]

An interesting historical graphic novel about a little known incident that took place in 1857 on West Lake Okoboji near Arnold's Park in Northern Iowa. Gary Kelley's art and narrative make this graphic novel a pleasure to read. My family and I first heard of the Spirit Lake massacre two years ago while taking a tour around lake Okoboji. The little information we received on the tour spurred my interest in this book. I wasn't disappointed!

[Shannon · Rating 5 out of 5]

An engaging story with good illustrations.

[Brandon · Rating 2 out of 5]

For a book that purports to "tell both sides of the story" this book was very disappointing. This may tell a more complete story than what most people have heard before, but that's because it's only 90-something% focused on the white settlers instead of 100%. In some ways this is worse than if it were 100% focused on the settlers because it's pretending to tell the complete version which just doesn't feel honest and there's nothing about this book that encourages people to learn more about the perspectives and experiences of the Dakota people.

If people are interested in learning more I don't have any Dakota specific recommendations, but Robert M. Utley's The Lance and the Shield: The Life and Times of Sitting Bull does a great job providing context about the Lakota experience.

[Sandy · Rating 4 out of 5]

Graphic novel sharing the details of the Spirit Lake massacre.

[Amy · Rating 4 out of 5]

Since I knew nothing about the Spirit Lake Massacre, I really liked this format. If I was wondering about something like someone's age I could easily flip back to get answers.

[Kayla · Rating 3 out of 5]

I rounded down rather than up. It was more of a 3.5 star.

[Miguel · Rating 4 out of 5]

Great graphics from an outstanding artist in Gary Kelley. The story is gripping, graphic and so sadly disturbing...but it's real and raw.

[Dale · Rating 3 out of 5]

A little piece of Iowa history told through the medium of graphic art. Quick read and very interesting.

[Aric Broderick · Rating 4 out of 5]

Graphic novel. Very good.

[Lisa · Rating 4 out of 5]

A great summary, in graphic form, of an event I'd heard nothing about prior to learning of this book. If you liked Little House on the Prairie, you'll like this book.

[Cynthia · Rating 4 out of 5]

Good, simple, clear telling of the Spirit Lake Massacre of March 1857. Good drawings/artwork.....it all helps to explain what happened.

[Chris Barsanti · Rating 5 out of 5]

My review is at the Minneapolis Star-Tribune.

[Andy Green · Rating 5 out of 5]

The first half is paced as a creeping thriller, the last as history. I had heard of the Spirit Lake Massacre but did not know any of the extant of the events. This book was an entertaining history that I did not want to put down.