The Journey of Little Eagle

About the Book

Twelve year old Timothy Azure, a half-blood Chippewa Indian, and his Sioux buddy, Joe Little Dog, spend their free time thinking up tricks to play on their friends Bobo and Lulu Olsen. They soon realize Bobo and Lulu are changing...for the worse. Eventually they drift apart for good.

Timothy enjoys running with his spirit horses that only he can see. On his birthday Dad and Grandfather give him a horse he names Chief. The spirit horses bid him a sad farewell, and he knows he is growing up and doesn't need their companionship anymore. He's concerned about alcoholism on the reservation. His dad was, and Joe's dad is, an alcoholic. When Joe's dad dies Timothy has a bad dream about the disease, and Grandfather says it's time for the sweat lodge and the vision quest ceremonies. This is where Timothy receives his Indian name, Little Eagle.

During a winter blizzard Joe steals Chief, so he can pretend for a little while Chief is his. Timothy, brother Kenny and Dad find Joe, who is trapped under a fallen log, leg broken. Timothy forgives him, knowing how lonely he is with no grandfather to bond with.

The day after New Years Grandfather passes on to the spirit world. Timothy goes to the sweat lodge to grieve, and hears Grandfather's voice in the wind, assuring him he'll always be with him. He determines to carry on the teachings and traditions he has learned from his beloved grandfather.

About the Author

The author's late husband was a half-blood Chippewa Indian (a Michif) who spent his early childhood on the Fort Totten Sioux Reservation in North Dakota. In later years they lived on the Turtle Mountain Reservation, where the author did extensive research on the history, culture and customs of the Michif people. She also learned some of the language, and the spititual meanings of the powwow.

She now lives in Texas with her daughter, 2 dogs, 6 cats, and various ducks, turkeys and chickens.