Raising Ourselves A Gwitch'in Coming of Age Story from the Yukon River Book

Raising Ourselves

A Gwitch'in Coming of Age Story from the Yukon River 

by Velma Wallis

Author of the International Bestseller Two Old Women

American Book Award winner

Village elders seemed like strangers from another land: Born in 1960, the sixth of thirteen children, Velma Wallis comes of age in a two-room log cabin in remote Fort Yukon, Alaska.

Life is defined by the business of living off the land. Chop firewood. Haul water from the river. Hunt moose. Catch salmon. Trap furs. Take care of the dogs.

For a thousand years, the Gwich'in clan had followed migratory animals across the north. But two generations before, the people had settled where the Porcupine River flows into the Yukon.

Now, the Wallis family has a post office box and an account at the general store and Velma listens to Wolf Man Jack on armed forces radio.

She discovers that her people have surrendered their language, traditional values, and religion to white teachers, traders, and missionaries.

Flu epidemics have claimed many loved ones. Village elders seemed like strangers from another land. There is much drinking when the monthly government checks come, and that is when the pain comes out of hiding

Raising Ourselves is an irresistible story of growing up Gwich'in. It is gritty and sobering, yet filled with laughter even as generations of Gwich'in grief seeps from past to present. But hope pushes back hopelessness, and a new strength and wisdom emerge.

"This book made me laugh, cry in anger, feel elated and awakened in me again the sometimes sleeping but always fighting spirit to be myself as an Indian ..the readjng was an evening of pure joy." - Long Standing Bear Chief, Blackfoot Nation

"Velma Wallis gets applause for good-hearted and courageous honesty in a good book that contributes to the understanding of a little-understood part of America." - Cedar Rapids (Iowa) Gazette

"Velma tells a kick-ass story of growing up Gwich'in. If you want to know the truth about being Indian in a white-dominated world, read this book." Duncan Sings-Alone, Cherokee Storyteller, Author of Sprinting Backwards

"An extraordinary tale ..." -Anchorage Daily News 

Pages in unmarked condition. Cover has minor shelf wear to edges and corners. Cover page has indentations near edge. Fore edge of pages have some discoloration. Bottom corner slightly bumped.