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In the poem 38, Layli Long Soldier recounts the story of the Dakota 38, the largest mass execution in United States history. The hanging of 38 Dakota men took place December 26, 1862. They were hanged for their part in the Sioux Uprising, in which Dakota warriors retaliated against settlers and government traders in response to being refused rations, food, and the ability to hunt for themselves. In addition to those hanged, over 1000 Dakota were imprisoned, and later released. However, the government dissolved their reservation in Minnesota upon release as another consequence and ultimately exiled them to other reservations in South Dakota and Nebraska. I find this poem to be an important recollection of events that have been generally swept under the rug from public consciousness.

Long Soldier, Layli. “38.” Poetry Foundation, Poetry Foundation, 2024, www.poetryfoundation.org/poems/161866/38.

Layli Long Soldier, "38" from Whereas. Copyright © 2017 by Layli Long Soldier. Reprinted by permission of Graywolf Press, www.graywolfpress.org.

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Excerpts from "Lakota Woman," a novel by Mary Crow Dog and Richard Erdoes

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Excerpts from "Lakota Woman," a novel by Mary Crow Dog and Richard Erdoes

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The novel Lakota Woman, by Mary Crow Dog, is an autobiography detailing the life of the author growing up as a member of the Brule Tribe, one of the seven tribes known collectively as Lakota.

I had a tough time choosing which passages to include from this book, they are all captivating and heartbreaking and equally important. However, I feel that this collection of passages not only provides some context on ever-present plights faced by Indigenous people, but also details the various mindsets of those affected. There are many ways of dealing with a widespread conquering, a loss of land and ways of life, a forced assimilation. But there is also a reminder that a people can never be erased completely, no matter how strong an institutionalized violence may seem.

Crow Dog, Mary. “A Woman from He-Dog.” Lakota Woman, Grove Weidenfeld, New York , New York, 1990, pp. 6–11.

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How to Write a Poem in a Time of War, a poem by Joy Harjo

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How to Write a Poem in a Time of War, a poem by Joy Harjo

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How to Write a Poem in a Time of War, a poem about survival. This poem details life after death, rejuvenation out of rubble. How assimilation is a survival tactic, that one will find their way home to their culture and people when it is safe to do so. The grandfather tells his grandchildren that "Someone must make it out alive," so that they may return generations later.

Reading this poem clicked with me. My great-grandmother's grandmother, her name Horse Woman, was 7 years old at the Battle of Little Bighorn. She recalls her mother telling her simply to "run." Someone had to make it out alive, and here we are generations later.

Harjo, Joy. “How to Write a Poem in a Time of War.” Poetry Foundation, Poetry Foundation, 2017, www.poetryfoundation.org/poetrymagazine/poems/143934/how-to-write-a-poem-in-a-time-of-war.

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How to Write a Poem in a Time of War _ The Poetry Foundation

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Obligations 2, a poem by Layli Long Soldier

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Obligations 2, a poem by Layli Long Soldier

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In the poem Obligations 2, lines are arranged in such a way as to be read in multiple directions, juxtaposing this idea of frustrations and grief transforming, or coexisting, with perseverance. The poem and title suggests a deliberate transformation of grief into something constructive, something to carry onwards. Using the word “obligations” in the title also suggests that this is something “owed,” perhaps to one’s self, one’s ancestors, or future generations.

Long Soldier, Layli. “Obligations 2.” Poetry Foundation, Poetry Foundation, 2018, www.poetryfoundation.org/poems/149976/obligations-2.

Layli Long Soldier, "Obligations 2" from New Poets of Native Nations. Copyright © 2018 by Layli Long Soldier.  Reprinted by permission of Layli Long Soldier.

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What are some of the ways in which the authors speak about assimilation? What dominant emotion do you think each author is conveying? In what ways do they express frustration, and perseverance? Do you think frustration and perseverance are connected? Are there other themes that you think stand out more?