A Fascinating Journey

                                                                        

Henry Real Bird, a Crow Indian who lives in Montana, undertook an interesting venture to promote reading in Montana: a 500-mile trek on horseback across the state. At each stop he passed out copies of his poems and other books, but what I found most fascinating was his skill at observation. In a July 2010 interview with NPR, he said, "I see where life has been, just unbelievable — ancient beaches and stone. I can see abandoned homes where life was flourishing back at the turn of the century. And I can see where the buffalo wallowing that I can ride through."

We are all guilty of not knowing who our poet laureates are (can you name your stat's poet laureate?), but Henry Real Bird (poet laureate of Montana) is one we should know.  He may not fit everyone's perception of what a Native American is (certainly not that of the Republican Party!), but then what is our real image of Native American Indians? Check the mosaic to the right. To further learn about and debunk inaccurate stereotypes and mythifications of  Native American Indians, read Fergus Bordewich's classic "Killing the White Man's Indian."  If you would like read one of Real Bird's poems, click here:  Driftwood Feelin'. 

To hear Real Bird read one of his poems, check out "Sunset Whirls"  (from the NPR July 2010 interview).