Marlena Myles 
(Spirit Lake Dakota, Mohegan, Muscogee)

During these days when there exists people who want to erase inconvenient truths from history classes, we need to be open to the stories we weren’t taught to reconcile what has already been erased. The folks who joined me in my small group discussion of “An Indigenous Peoples' History of the United States for Young People” spoke about how much the book has already impacted the way they view their own ancestral history. They were ashamed of their teachers who hid the truth from them, and that’s the scenario today’s youth face if we don’t have books like this one in classrooms.  We all have the ability to cultivate change, and I hope those who joined us are inspired to restore Indigenous connections to the land by educating themselves and being willing to challenge the status quo that runs from the light of truth. 

I appreciate all that the Mary Ann Key Book Club does to highlight community voices and bring together the community to hear authentic voices that are being underserved. I’m grateful for the opportunity to share my thoughts and even more grateful to have heard from the other panelists and those who joined us by reading the book as a member of the book club. These are the conversations we need to continue having, these are the books we need to continue reading and sharing. 

Connect with Marlena on Facebook and Instagram (@mylesdesigns) or through her website, https://marlenamyl.es.

In my first newsletter post, I noted how incredible it is that a book like this is available for my sons and for their classmates. After our panel, I keep thinking about how incredible it is that we have so many people in this community that are willing to show up and do this kind of work. Myron’s use of his platform to elevate these stories of historically excluded populations – with the support of community members and staff and supporters of the Hennepin County Library – is a clear and tangible example of what it looks like to be an ally.  

I often have people ask me what they can do, how they can help amplify these histories and these stories. I feel like folks are often anticipating sweeping, grandiose suggestions, but that’s not always what makes the biggest difference. If you have time, find organizations to volunteer for. If you have resources, buy books by Native authors (from a Native-owned bookstore like Birchbark Books), read them, and pass them to friends and family members. Get in touch with local schools and ask if they have these books on their shelves – if not, would they accept donations?  

Participating in the Mary Ann Key Book Club – particularly having the chance to listen to and be in conversation with people whose work touches so many different facets of our collective community – was a transformative experience. Thanks to my fellow panelists; thanks to Kia, Myron, and everybody behind the scenes who made the book club a success; and thanks to all who read the book, joined us for the panel, or found another way to engage with these ongoing conversations.

What an engaging and energetic discussion to be a part of.

That’s what I kept saying to myself. And nearly everyone the next day after the panelist discussion! It was so wonderful to hear different perspectives but shared experiences from the other Indigenous panelists and moderator. Everything from our introductions about what made us say “yes” to participating in this discussion to what gives us hope, was everything I didn’t know I needed to be reminded of. Progress. 

Even in the moments of visceral reactions and in these difficult times of a pandemic, blatant and violent racism, and turmoil around Roe v. Wade, Indigenous people and knowledge holders are making progress. Two of the panelists have written accurate Indigenous story books that are intended to educate others, and another has created visual art that educates both Indigenous and non-Indigenous communities about Dakota history. As an Indigenous person, sharing moments from my experience that are full of hope and inspiration are markers of progress. My son being so far ahead of where I was at his age and being so sure of his identity, is a marker of progress. Sharing the knowledge I’ve learned as a birth worker with the families I get to work with and seeing them take it and fly into thriving, is progress. Seeing an all-Indigenous writing team make a comedy series with authentic Indigenous actors and actresses for mainstream TV, is progress. Dare I say, there are some of us who are thriving and paving the way for others in our community. 

Progress is planting seeds for the generations yet to come. I hope that readers can better understand our story as Indigenous people and why we work with such passion and conviction when it comes to our people. We continue to fight against oppressive and colonial systems today. We will continue to do this because we value healthy land, clean water, body sovereignty, and healthy communities. We need allies. And love. That is something that Sharon Day mentioned during the panel discussion. It is also about love. Remembering love is at the core of our spirits. To uplift this knowledge and story as Indigenous person, or if you are an ally, it must include that.  

Connect with Pearl on Instagram: @constantmotionwoman.