Kirjahaku

The Yakama Nation of present-day Washington State has responded to more than a century of historical trauma with a resurgence of grassroots activism and cultural revitalization. This path-breaking ethnography shifts the conversation from one of victimhood to one of ongoing resistance and resilience as a means of healing the soul wounds of settler colonialism. Yakama Rising: Indigenous Cultural Revitalization, Activism, and Healing argues that Indigenous communities themselves have the answers to the persistent social problems they face. This book contributes to understanding Indigenous social change by articulating the premise that grassroots activism and cultural revitalization are powerful examples of decolonization.Michelle Jacob employs ethnographic case studies to demonstrate the tension between reclaiming traditional cultural practices and adapting to change. Through interviewees' narratives, she carefully tacks back and forth between the atrocities of colonization and the remarkable actions of individuals committed to sustaining Yakama heritage. Focusing on three domains of Indigenous revitalization—dance, language, and foods—Jacob carefully elucidates the philosophy underlying and unifying each domain while also illustrating the importance of these practices for Indigenous self-determination, healing, and survival.In the impassioned voice of a member of the Yakama Nation, Jacob presents a volume that is at once intimate and specific to her home community but that also advances theories of Indigenous decolonization, feminism, and cultural revitalization. Jacob's theoretical and methodological contributions make this work valuable to a range of students, academics, tribal community members, and professionals and an essential read for anyone interested in the ways that grassroots activism can transform individual lives, communities, and society.

In 2012 Kateri Tekakwitha became the first North American Indian to be canonized as a saint by the Roman Catholic Church, an event that American Indian Catholics have awaited for generations. Saint Kateri, known as the patroness of the environment, was born in 1656 near present-day Albany, New York, to an Algonquin mother and a Mohawk father. Tekakwitha converted to Christianity at age nineteen and took a vow of perpetual virginity. Her devotees have advocated for her sainthood since her death in 1680. Within historical Catholic writings, Tekakwitha is portrayed as a model of pious, submissive femininity. Indian Pilgrims moves beyond mainstream narratives and shows that Saint Kateri is a powerful feminine figure who inspires decolonizing activism in contemporary Indigenous peoples' lives.Author Michelle M. Jacob examines Saint Kateri's influence on and relation to three important themes—caring for the environment, building community, and reclaiming the Native feminine as sacred—and brings a Native feminist perspective to the story of Saint Kateri. The book demonstrates the power and potential of Indigenous decolonizing activism, as Saint Kateri's devotees claim the space of the Catholic Church to revitalize traditional cultural practices, teach and learn Indigenous languages, and address critical issues such as protecting Indigenous homelands from environmental degradation. The book is based on ethnographic research at multiple sites, including Saint Kateri's 2012 canonization festivities in Vatican City and Italy, the Akwesasne Mohawk Reservation (New York and Canada), the Yakama Reservation (Washington), and the National Tekakwitha Conferences in Texas, North Dakota, and Louisiana. Through narratives from these events, Jacob addresses issues of gender justice—such as respecting the autonomy of women while encouraging collectivist thinking and strategizing—and seeks collective remedies that challenge colonial and capitalist filters.

The Auntie Way celebrates the lessons and love aunts teach us. Twelve stories set across diverse places, including the Yakama Reservation, New York City, and the halls of academia, describe the ways in which "Aunties," whether blood related or chosen, help us to step into our better selves, through their kind and fierce "Auntie-ing." Each story is accompanied by journaling and discussion questions to help readers connect with deeper lessons and inner wisdom. If you've ever had a beloved "Auntie," are an aunt yourself, or feel the need for an auntie, this book is for you. The stories will touch your heart and make you think; they take you on a fun and loving journey, representing Auntie-ing at its finest.

Huckleberries and Coyotes: Lessons from Our More than Human Relations is a collection of stories by Yakama scholar Michelle M. Jacob. The author builds upon her previous studies of cultural revitalization and the power of Indigenous teachings by reflecting on what huckleberries, coyotes, and other more than human relations can teach us. Discussion and journaling questions after each story encourage readers to locate similar lessons in their own lives. The collection invites readers of all ages and backgrounds to listen to, learn from, and treasure their surroundings. We all have loving and generous teachers in our lives, if we are willing to pause and notice them. As a storyteller, Dr. Jacob urges us to continue the timeless Indigenous tradition of engaging with stories and one another to build connection and strength within ourselves, our communities, and our environments. On that journey, Huckleberries and Coyotes will both inspire and warm your heart.