The Road Back to Sweet Grass by Linda LeGarde Grover begins with the introduction of Margie Robineau, a frybread maker on Mozhay Point Indian Reservation. Margie is an American Indian who makes frybread based on ancient Ojibwe traditions. She is perceived as the best maker of frybread. One morning, the Dionne sisters and their mother visit Margie. On their way to Margie’s place, they are spotted by Dale Ann, who is their elder sister. Dale Ann works as a tribal education director in Mozhay point. The moment she sees her relatives, Dale Ann informs Margie of the imminent visitors. As well, Margie calls Theresa and tells her to come to her house. When the Dionne sisters alight from their car, they are appeased by the sweet scent of sweetgrass.
The book centers on Native American history. Margie, Dale Ann, and Theresa share common aspects of life. Their story dates back to the 1970s. During the time, they were young women trying to make ends meet. However, the federal government’s termination policy was introduced and that affected their lives. The author notes that the introduction of the policy was aimed at doing away with the freedoms of native tribes. The government used every tactic to ensure that the natives are assimilated into mainstream society.
The author uses the fictional Mozhay Point reservation to show how American Indians were forced out of their reservations by the federal government. From the book, the Ojibwe community was bound together by ricing. Making frybread was one of the Ojibwe community’s ways to celebrate their traditions. Although people from the community go through many tribulations, persistence makes them meet again in the original reservation.
