SALT CAMP: HerStory - Lakota Living Treasure [Paperback]

Ollie Napesni (Author)

Book Description

Publication Date: July 6, 2006

SALT CAMP is the autobiographical narrative of South Dakota's 2002 Indian Living Treasure, Ollie Napesni, Lakota Sioux from Rosebud Reservation. It contains thirteen legends including "How Salt Camp Got Its Name."

Editorial Reviews

About the Author

Lakota language teacher, storyteller, traditional beader, doll maker and renowned quilt maker, Ollie Napesni continues teaching classes at Sinte Gleska University on the Rosebud Reservation in South Dakota. She has spoken at the United Nations at the Cry of the Earth Conference in November 1993. She received the National Indian Education Association's Elder of the Year Award in 2002 and also the 2002 South Dakota Indian Living Treasure Award. She has made over six hundred star quilts since 1980 and her Veteran's Quilt is on display at the Gustav Heye Center of the National Museum of the American Indian in New York City.

Product Details

• Paperback: 262 pages
• Publisher: Trafford Publishing (July 6, 2006)
• Language: English
• ISBN-10: 1412003385
• ISBN-13: 978-1412003384
• Product Dimensions: 9 x 5.8 x 0.6 inches
• Shipping Weight: 13.6 ounces (View shipping rates and policies)
• Average Customer Review: 4.8 out of 5 stars  See all reviews (5 customer reviews)
• Amazon Best Sellers Rank: #421,980 in Books (See Top 100 in Books)

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Customer Reviews

Most Helpful Customer Reviews

4 of 4 people found the following review helpful:

5.0 out of 5 stars Native Amerian Life:Original,Historical,& Finally, Female., October 30, 2003

By 

Michelle Hancock (Azle, Texas USA) - See all my reviews

This review is from: SALT CAMP: HerStory - Lakota Living Treasure (Paperback)

Reading Ollie Napesni's autobiographical account as a Lakota Sioux Native American was a pure pleasure. Finally we have female insight what it was like growing up in Native America from the early 1920's. Ms. Napesni's account to her editor, transcriber, Dianna Torson, has Ollie's voice in traditional Lakota story telling style. Ollie's voice rings through and we listen to her tell "HerStory". Ms. Torson's ability to edit without loosing the traditional Lakota oratory style is remarkable. Even through a few instances of time wandering, Ollie's story won't let you go. You follow her recollections and look for her bits of wisdom. We learn about honor, dignity, humbleness, family values and strength. We discover women, men and children in Native American communities who were centered in family and Lakota Native American traditions.

Ms Napesni has offered to those of us who yearn for simplicity, commonality, spirituality and peace a world view and a life that attained those qualities.

One walks away after reading this book with a feeling of being a better person and a bit of a longing to pack up your belongings and to rendezvous with family and friends, taking the time to appreciate life and it's giver.

2 of 2 people found the following review helpful:

5.0 out of 5 stars Living Treasure, October 29, 2004

By 

Johnny J. Powell "Lady Xene Eirenikina - Shir... (White River, SD USA) - See all my reviews
(REAL NAME)   

This review is from: SALT CAMP: HerStory - Lakota Living Treasure (Paperback)

If you are not lucky enough to be able to sit at Ollie's feet and listen to her in person this is the next best thing... the book "sounds" like her... it is written as though she is speaking directly to you.... so it will throw many readers at first until you get used to the voice.... this is as close as you can get to her voice without voice recordings :) This is a wonderful way of speaking that has come about from mixing traditional lakota dialects with the english language to create a new dialect that is truely unique.

The book itself is a treasure of information that gives you a personal perspective of life in this area growing up during a time when this nation was going through major changes. Ollie gives you a vivid account of daily life, life that has all but disappeared, sprinkled with wisdom and facts you won't get out of main stream textbooks or history books. This is a wonderful window into another culture and belief system that you should not miss!

This book is for everyone, from young to old, from curious to students, those who have an interest in history, culture, and their fellow humans... this has something that speaks to everyone and gives you so much more when you are finished with it .... you won't regret this purchase! Donate a copy to your local library or school!

2 of 2 people found the following review helpful:

5.0 out of 5 stars A Great American Spirit, February 7, 2004

By 

Jack Seaton (Santiago, Chile) - See all my reviews

This review is from: SALT CAMP: HerStory - Lakota Living Treasure (Paperback)

In this wonderful book, Ollie Napesni tells her own story (through the meticulous work of her devoted recorder and editor, Dianna Torson). Born to Lakota parents on the plains of South Dakota in 1917, Ollie straddles and unites two American cultures. Through her, they fuse and participate energetically in the travails and triumphs of the century. What emerges is a great American spirit that comes sailing out of the pages in Ollie's own salty, vivacious, mid-western voice. If you have any interest in American Indian affairs - or even if you don't - you shouldn't miss this book. You won't put it down without a lump in your throat and a smile in your heart.