By Simon Ortiz
Illustrated by Sharol Graves
This is an incredible poem which tells the history of American Indians in this country. The picture book begins at the time of Creation--told in many different ways by different tribes--and ends in the present. Simon Ortiz, who is himself from Acquemeh (Acoma) Pueblo, relates how Europeans arrived and battles were fought, land was taken, and indigenous people were forcibly stripped of their cultures...but throughout all of this the elders in the tribes told the stories of their people to the children so they would not forget who they were. "This has been the struggle of our People. We have suffered but we have endured," say the parents. Ultimately, The People Shall Continue is hopeful and empowering without glossing over any of the atrocities in this country's history. It is truly a teaching story.
Simon Ortiz wrote this poem with the rhythms of a traditional oral narrative, which is one of the things I most love about the book (it's so nice to read out loud). The illustrations by Sharol Graves are vivid and bold, with evocative silhouettes and bright colors. It is an inclusive story, too, though Ortiz recognizes many different tribes and their distinct traditions and cultures. In the end, the People--a word he uses to describe all of the tribes--look around and see others suffering too; "Black People, Chicano People, Asian People, many White People and others who were kept poor by American wealth and power." There is a call to unite against power that oppresses, and to ensure no one has their humanity taken away.
(ISBN: 0-89239-041-7)
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