In this series on Native American Female authors, we have recounted the stories of authors Sarah Winnemucca, first US copyright recipient, Mourning Dove, first published novelist, and Joy Harjo, poet, as well as the story of another poet – Leslie Marmon Silko. Last time we discovered the invaluable contribution to American history by the story of a great storyteller, Diane Glancy. We continue are series with Pulitzer Prize finalist Louise Erdrich and KB Schaller, the author of the award-winning book, 100+ Native American Women Who Changed the World.
(Karen) Louise Erdrich (Chippewa, born 1954) – Author
“I live on the margin of just about everything. I’m a marginal person, and I think that is where I’ve become comfortable. I’m marginally there in my native life. I can do as much as I can, but I’m always German, too, you know, and I’m always a mother. That’s my first identity, but I’m always a writer, too.”
Louise Erdrich is a member of the Turtle Mountain Band of Chippewa Indians. Karen Louise Erdrich was born in Little Falls, Minnesota. Her mother was Chippewa, and her father was German American. Louise was the eldest of seven siblings. She grew up in Wahpeton, North Dakota. Both of her parents taught at the Bureau of Indian Affairs.
She attended Dartmouth College in 1972 and began in Native American studies. She met Michael Dorris who was an anthropologist and the chairman of the department.
Louise went on the receive a bachelor’s degree at Dartmouth in 1976. She earned a master’s degree in creative writing from Johns Hopkins University in 1979. By this time she had been writing short stories and poems for several years. She composed Jacklight in 1984. This was a poetry collection based on her master’s thesis.
In 1978 she had started corresponding with Michael Dorris who was in New Zealand. They got married in 1981. The couple reared six children. Three of them had been adopted while Dorris was still single, and three daughters were biological.
Louise won a $5,000 Nelson Algren Prize for Short Fiction for her short story, The World’s Greatest Fisherman in 1982. Later she adapted this work to a novel, Love Medicine, which won the 1984 National book Critics Circle Award. This made her a New York Times bestselling author. She immediately received national acclamation in the literary world.
During the 1990’s Louise and Michael collaborated in their writing. However, there marriage suffered from many troubles, and they separated. Tragically, Michael Dorris died by his own hand in 1997.
Louise’s writing continued to receive praise. Her short story, The Plague of Doves (2008) was a finalist for the Pulitzer Prize in Fiction (2009). In 2012 she won the Best Book Award for Fiction for The Round House. In 2013 she won the Rough Rider Award – the highest award given in the state of North Dakota. The recipient of this award is chosen by the governor for achieving national recognition in their field. The recipient is recognized as someone who contributes to the credit of and honor of the citizens of North Dakota.
Louise’s portrait is displayed along with other recipients in the capitol building. She joins other famous authors such as Louis L’Amour and Larry Woiwode. Louise also has won a lot of awards for non-fiction works such as The Blue Jay’s Dance: A Birth Year (1995) and Books and Islands in Ojibwe Country (2003). She won the prestigious O. Henry Award for her short story, “Fleur” in 1986 and a Guggenheim Fellowship. Her novel Love Medicine (1984) won the National Book Critics Circle Award. The Last Report on the Miracles at Little No Horse was a finalist for the National Book Award.
Louise lives in Minnesota and is the owner of Birchbark Books, which is owned and operate by a group of people who love Native American literature and art. Louise continues to speak at events. In one of her poems, “Advice to Myself,” Louise wrote, “Pursue the authentic. Decide first what is authentic, then go after it with all your heart.” Stop in at Birchbark Books sometime when you are in Minneapolis.
KB Schaller – (Cherokee/Seminole) Author, Artist
KB Schaller began her writing career in grade school. She wrote and illustrated one-page stories and sold them to her classmates for ten cents apiece. One example of a story that was an English composition was “How the Mermaid Learned to Swim.” Writing remained her true love throughout her life.
As she got older KB began to focus on Native American issues. Her own heritage is Cherokee/Seminole. Her goal is “to build rapport with my readers and tenderly move them to a different way of thinking about Native Americans.” An educator with a master’s degree KB is also a painter, journalist and poet.
Her first novel, Gray Rainbow Journey won a National Best Books Award for Multicultural Fiction. Gray Rainbow Journey was also a Finalist in both Religion and Mystery-Suspense in the Multicultural Fiction in the competition. She was also given The Florida Authors and Publishers Association President’s Book Award for Young Adult fiction. In 2019 Gray Rainbow Journey won an award from the Next Generation Indie Book awards. Another award-winning book is Dream Trek: Journey Through the Night’s Door.
KB also wrote 100+ Native American Women Who Changed the World. I highly recommend this book. She won an International Book Award for Women’s Issues for her excellent book. Here is the summary from a bookseller:
Generally when we think of Native American women and their contributions to history and society, Pocahontas and Sacagawea come to mind. That is, until this groundbreaking book by Cherokee/Seminole heritage author KB Schaller, M.Ed., 100+ Native American Women Who Changed The World. Warriors, educators, an aerospace pioneer, a Catholic saint…100+ Native American Women Who Changed the World is a stellar collection of historical and contemporary women of indigenous heritage who have contributed to the survival and success of their families, communities – and the United States of America. This book is destined to be in classrooms throughout the country.
KB sums up the purpose of her book with a quote by Mother Theresa:
“I alone cannot change the world, but I can cast a stone across the waters to create many ripples.”
KB is a frequent guest blogger. She writes historical and opinion pieces on Native American issues. You can obtain the Native American women anthology and her 3 books in the “Dream” series from many bookstores.
Gray Rainbow Journey
DreamTrek Journey Through the Night’s Door
Journey by the Sackcloth Moon
KB has taught in a Christian academy on the Florida Seminole Indian Reservation where she taught creative arts. KB also taught learning disabled students in public schools. She is a member of the Native American Journalists Association and the Florida Freelance Writers Association. She lives in the Miami-Fort Lauderdale area with her husband and mother and her rescue cat named “Cha Cha”.
