Description
Book SynopsisAbenaki children's book icon Joseph Bruchac tells the stirring history of the 1969 Occupation of Alcatraz by Native Americans, which established a precedent for Indian activismOn November 20, 1969, a group of 89 Native Americansmost of them young activists in their twenties, led by Richard Oakes, LaNada Means, and otherscrossed San Francisco Bay under the cover of darkness. They called themselves the Indians of All Tribes. Their objective was to occupy the abandoned prison on Alcatraz Island (The Rock), a mile and a half across the treacherous waters. Under the 1868 Treaty of Fort Laramie between the US and the Lakota tribe, all retired, abandoned, or out-of-use federal land was supposed to be returned to the Indigenous peoples who once occupied it. As Alcatraz penitentiary was closed by that point, activists sought to reclaim that land, and more broadly, bring greater attention to the lies and injustices of the federal government when it came to Indian policy.Their initial success res
Trade ReviewBruchac strikes an ideal balance between allowing readers to engage with the story while also providing robust facts that make this a title with enough substance to be used as a reference for those seeking more information about this pivotal moment. A well-balanced, visually appealing, and well-contextualized account. * Kirkus *
This will be effective for classroom use as a research tool * The Bulletin of the Center for Children's Books *
Ideal for classroom use, this title provides an essential and frequently omitted voice to recent history. * School Library Journal *
This account is accessible and factual and offers vignettes and personal profiles that will resonate with readers. Photos, graphics, and rich back matter complement this narrative about an important milestone in American history. * Booklist *
