Customer Reviews

Indian Country

5 star:		(5)
4 star:		(1)
3 star:		(0)
2 star:		(0)
1 star:		(3)

 

 

This is a beautiful book of astonishing images of people and landscapes, which forced me to think again about the place of Native Americans in this land. The astonishing spaces of reservation land are there because people were uprooted from soft and prosperous valleys; the names for the people are those imposed by European migrants: Indian, Native American. And yet here they are, occupying every role in modern society and in their ancient societies, living comfortably or in poverty in reservations or at all levels in cities and suburbia. Gwendolyn Cates captures their lives respectully with an artist's eye -- her approach could not be further from the distanced, anthropological staging of Edward Curtis. Do look at this book.

Being an individual who has travelled from England and been most fortunate and privileged to be hosted by and reside within Anishinaabe Reservation Communities in Wisconsin, I found this book, both, extremely exciting and enthralling. Its vivid content evoked many happy memories for me. I particularly like the synopsis, by Gwendolen, that appears directly on the inside front cover pages. This summary is written in a pace and style that amply encapsulates her journey, recollections and experiences as she travelled through Indian Country and with which I can so readily and personally identify. I, also, thoroughly enjoyed, indeed valued the contributions by Native writers, such as Sherman Alexie, feeling they served to reinforce the integrity of the book; one which I am delighted to include within my collection.

I am not usually, particularly enamoured with black and white photgraphs but strangely it was these very images, throughout the book, that made the greatest impact upon myself, finding them to be most compelling, poignant, haunting and thought provoking. The black and white pictures are adequately balanced by a selection of color plates that include some rather beautiful scenic shots, allowing Gwendolen the opportunity to demonstrate her abundant and skilful photographic work executed with professionalism.

This is an exceptional book containing wonderful photographs of diverse peoples, in many geographic locations, highlighting different events, occasions and moods. It is compiled by an individual who obviously has a fond regard, deep respect and a well-deserved admiration for Native People and their Cultures, while extending a high degree of sensitivity towards her subjects. The emotions portrayed throughout this work are sad, happy, tragic, painful, inspiring, friendly and humorous. Overall, I believe this is an important and significant book inasmuch as it portrays 'The People' as REAL human beings with different cultures, lifestyles, values and attitudes, subsequently dispensing with numerous misconceptions and the inevitable stereotypes.

Although American Indian People have been heinously wronged in the past and continue to endure gross injustices against them, today, they always have, currently do and will continue to make a valuable and unique contribution to the dominant society. I, also, believe this volume serves to illustrate Native People are in the unenviable position of having to balance and blend two starkly contrasting paradigms while endeavoring to, quite rightly, retain their Treaty Rights, Land Base, Traditional Cultures, Languages, Education methods, Customs, Spiritual Ceremonies, Arts and Crafts, now and for future generations. This ongoing process is accomplished through a tremendous resolve that is evident within these pages, while upholding their dignity, pride, honor and Cultural identity. This book portrays resolute peoples possessing a selfless courage and I express my sincere gratitude to them for allowing us, the readers, to share their lives, homes, heartache, joy, hopes, aspirations, thoughts, insights, values and principles in this manner, through their own words and captivating camera lens of Gwendolen Cates.

This book was fabulous, except to my knowledge the author/photographer was not Native, which was a downer. Overall the book was very informative and touching. I knew a lot of the people and it was a gift for a Native friend and she knew lots of the people so that is what made it special. The photos were marvelous rich and meaningful I read it it one night it was a captivating read. 4 stars yes

I met Cates at the Native American Music Awards in 2001 and many of the artists photographed for her book were there. All of them were beaming at the how beautiful the book is, and Cates was even getting autographs! She captures a lot of the truth - good and bad- about modern Native America.

When I opened the first page of this book I was totally mesermized with it and did not put it down until I looked through the whole thing. I have been all over the Southwest and have many Native friends and this book brought such warm feelings to me. I like the way it shows the different ways the people live, and diminishes the sterotype that so many think about when they think of "Indians".

what a great, great book! gwendolen cates has a terrific eye.

This book was a gift. There are a few very nice pictures but I think to really enjoy it you need to have an interest in the subject of Indians. If not it just seems to go on and on. As a gift or for yourself I would not buy it unless you or your friend has a real interest in the subject matter.

After looking at the book and reading the reviews I agree most with the reader who said you must have interest in the subject matter. In the last review the reader rated the book as very good but in his own words he had stayed on a reservation and had a great interest in and a super knowledge of the subject. I can see how someone with interest would enjoy it but for me,as someone without the above after 30 or so pages this book became a chore to get through.

In this book the were a few nice pictures but I found most of them dark and dreary and depressing.All in all it was boring.