Sarah Winnemucca

by Sally Zanjani

This book is the triumphant and moving story of Sarah Winnemucca (1844–91), one of the most influential and charismatic Native women in American history. Born into a legendary family of Paiute leaders in western Nevada, Sarah dedicated much of her life to working for her people. She played an instrumental and controversial role as interpreter and messenger for the U.S. Army during the Bannock War of 1878 and traveled to Washington in 1880 to obtain the release of her people from confinement on the Yakama Reservation. She toured the East Coast in the 1880s, tirelessly giving speeches about the plight of her people and heavily criticizing the reservation system. In 1883 she produced her autobiography—the first written by a Native woman—and founded a Native school whose educational practices were far ahead of its time. Sally Zanjani also reveals Sarah’s notorious sharp tongue and wit, her love of performance, her string of failed relationships, and at the end, possible poisoning by a romantic rival.

Genres: Biography, History, Nonfiction, Native American

368 pages, Paperback

First published January 9, 2001

Reviews

[GRANT · Rating 5 out of 5]

Excellent biography full of culture and historical context. I have worked with her people and knew some of her story. I didn't know, however, that she learned English in part while living with the Ormsby Family in Mormon Station (now, Genoa, Nevada). She left before my 4th Great Grandmother arrived but would have possibly known Abednego Johns, who married a several great aunt of mine there. Anyway, beyond history, culture, and a fascinating life story, there is broad geography too stretching across the Great Basin and beyond to California, Oregon, Idaho and Washington Territory - and even Boston, Baltimore, and Washington D.C. The dealings with the Dept. of the Interior were fascinating as that was my employer for 35 years. We try to do better these days still failing frequently. The book is well-written and sourced.

[Gayle · Rating 5 out of 5]

Sarah Winnemucca was a great woman who spent her whole life lecturing about her Paiute tribe and trying to gain back land taken from her people. She spoke English fluently and traveled several times to the East Coast to give lectures and to raise funds for her people who were starving. She was a wonderful teacher of children and had several different schools during her life and received no government assistance to support the schools. Her life story should be taught in our schools!

[Cherie · Rating 3 out of 5]

A rather dry style. Story of a Native Am woman who works tirelessly for the Paiutes, and criticizes the reservation system. Interesting b/c it takes place in spots I've been to. I wonder if she's been to the playa.

[Sharon · Rating 4 out of 5]

I enjoyed this and learned a lot about another famous Am Indian woman who did her best for her people, the Northern Paiute of Nev,. encouraging education and much more. She had a lot of courage She had also written a book of her own.