Zitkala-Ša is best known as a writer, artist, educator, and political activist. A member of the Dakota tribe, Zitkala-Ša (also known by her married name Gertrude Simmons Bonn) wrote a number of works — the most popular of which is American Indian Stories, Legends, and Other Writings, which was first published in 1921 by Penguin. In American Indian Stories, Legends, and Other Writings, Zitkala-Ša explores the confluence of American Indian and white culture — and how each culture impacted her life on the reservation (and later, her life in forced assimilation schools). In each writing, Zitkala-Ša taps into stories from her life and the emotions associated with those stories. Zitkala-Ša also explores what it means to be an American Indian and the heartbreak and loss and tragedy often associated with American Indian life, as well as race relations, culture, cultural assimilation, and identity. Though the novel was initially published in 1921, American Indian Stories, Legends, and Other Writings remain relevant and compelling to the present day. In fact, the novel is still taught in schools today and receives incredibly positive reviews.
The work speaks to a wide variety of readers, from individuals with an interest in the Dakota tribe to those who are looking to gain a better understanding of the intersection of American Indian and white culture. Zitkala-Ša's incredibly vivid and honest writing combined with her exploration of identity, race, and culture makes the novel an incredibly important work of literature. It has been praised for its ability to open readers' eyes to the struggles of the American Indian people and encourage them to think critically about their own experiences. Zitkala-Ša's novel has stayed relevant and inspiring for more than a century and continues to be a must-read for those looking to understand the rich history and culture of American Indians.
