Louise Erdich's THE NIGHT WATCHMAN

Louise Erdich (b Amer. 1954) is an award winning novelist.  Her young adult novel "The Round House" ('12) won the Nat'l Bk Award and "The Place of Doves" ('09) was a finalist for the Pulitzer Prize in literature.  Erdich's beloved & literary novels all contend with Native Americans; their history of brutal annihilation and pervasive oppression by the US govt. intent on eviscerating their livelihoods and culture.  Erdich writes fictitious Native American characters that resonate with their humanity and struggles to survive and maintain their self-sufficiencies & dignities.  The factual events in the novel set in the 1950s in ND pit the Turtle Mt. Band Tribe of Chippewa Indians v. US legislation led by Sen. Watkins (Rep. UT) designed to displace, assimilate or annihilate them entirely.  "The Night Watchman" ('20) is Erdich's most recent novel.  Her novel deviates from her previous works as the protagonist, Thomas is based upon Ms. Erdich's own maternal grandfather.  Erdich is a member of the Turtle Mt. Tribe.  Thomas works as night watchman and is a galvanizing force to defend their tribal lands.  Erdich draws his portrait as deeply humane, intelligent, religious and devoted family man. There are a chorus of characters in the Turtle Mt. tribe.  In addition, there's a cacophony of ghosts, spirits and dreams woven throughout enriching the storytelling with Native language, customs, beliefs and a profound sense of dignity & tenacity.  The Turtle Band is mounting a legal defense to preserve their tribal land already endowed by the US govt. but now facing a Termination Bill orchestrated by Sen. Watkins (Rep. UT).   The members of the Turtle Mt. Tribe are very diverse.  Their lives arduous and their prospects tenuous.  Still, they're bond together with a deep respect & love for one another.  The women are shown as the stealth of their families. Patrice, a.k.a. Pixie, is on a quest to find her sister Verna who went missing in MN.  The coercion of abducted Native Amer. women into sex slaves was prevalent without having any protection or recourse.  The novel is more than a coming of age tale or a shameful history lesson of Native Americans' persecution.  It's ambitious, convoluted and confusing.  Erdich admits the book necessitated a difficult editing transition.  Some of the story's trajectories become overtaken and lost.  "The Night Watchman" is a serious study of man's inherent nature to obliterate any culture, race or religion that fails to conform or deemed indispensable.  Despite overriding, grave issues of importance there's heartwarming affirmations of kinships to behold.  Erdich warns of the demolition powers of legal documents determined to crush lives.  She also conveys inspiration & conviction that people, her people, are not powerless to protect themselves and prosper.