Whereas
A gorgeous literary undertaking told both inwardly towards the personal and outwardly to the collective. Whereas is an innovation, written in English and in Lakota with a constant and meaningful grappling with language throughout. This book is the embodiment of poetry, lyrically written and emotionally resonant.
Finalist for the National Book Award for Poetry
WHEREAS her birth signaled the responsibility as mother to teach what it is to be Lakota therein the question: What did I know about being Lakota? Signaled panic, blood rush my embarrassment. What did I know of our language but pieces? Would I teach her to be pieces? Until a friend comforted, Don’t worry, you and your daughter will learn together. Today she stood sunlight on her shoulders lean and straight to share a song in Diné, her father’s ...























