I'll Go and Do More: Annie Dodge Wauneka, Navajo Leader and Activist

by Carolyn Niethammer

I'll Go and Do More is the story of Annie Dodge Wauneka (1918–97), one of the best-known Navajos of all time. A daughter of the popular Navajo leader Chee Dodge, Wauneka spent most of her early years herding sheep and raising nine children. After her father's death, she entered politics and was often the only woman on the Navajo Tribal Council during the quarter century that she served. Wauneka became a forceful and articulate advocate for Indian health care, education, and other issues, working both on the reservation and in the halls of Congress to improve the lives of the Navajos.

 

Carolyn Niethammer draws on interviews with family and friends, speeches, and correspondence to offer an arresting and readable portrait of this complex Navajo woman. Wauneka's professional and personal triumphs and challenges—her temper was legendary—are rendered vividly, enabling readers to better appreciate the enduring accomplishments of the Navajos' Legendary Mother.

Genres: History, Native American, Biography, Indigenous, Nonfiction, Politics

293 pages, Paperback

First published January 1, 2001

Reviews

[Morrigan · Rating 3 out of 5]

I was hoping that this book would be different but it has been my experience that when white people write about Native American culture the story is stilted and there is a feeling I get that something really important is being left out. This book was no different. With that said I would recommend it to people that are interested in anything Native American with the caution that there are better books out there.

[Diana · Rating 3 out of 5]

I liked this book. I don’t understand why some readers were so negative about the writing, it was fine. Learned about her life, and all her accomplishments. Interesting enough.

[Michelle Boyer · Rating 3 out of 5]

I think that Annie Dodge Wauneka is amazing. However, the writing style of Neithammer is not, and lacks some depth and cultural perspectives.

[Karen · Rating 5 out of 5]

I loved this book! It had a deep personal impact on me and reinforced my belief that I need to be of service to my people.

[Malcolm · Rating 5 out of 5]

A non-Navajo's research on Dr. Anne Wauneka.

[Sydney · Rating 5 out of 5]

I really enjoyed this book! Very inspiring.

[Mya · Rating 5 out of 5]

I think this is a great book because it shows backstory on the Navajos and how it was like back then. There's details on the traditions and more. Annie Dodge Wauneka inspires me.