The Boy Who Promised Me Horses

by David Joseph Charpentier, He'seeota'e Miner (Foreword)

“He tried to outrun a train,” Theodore Blindwoman told David Joseph Charpentier the night they found out about Maurice Prairie Chief’s death. When Charpentier was a new teacher at St. Labre Indian School in Ashland, Montana, Prairie Chief was the first student he had met, and the one with whom he formed the closest bonds.

From the shock of moving from a bucolic Minnesota college to teach at a small, remote reservation school in eastern Montana, Charpentier details the complex and emotional challenges of Indigenous education in the United States. Although he intended his teaching tenure at St. Labre to be short, Charpentier’s involvement with the school has extended beyond thirty years. Unlike many white teachers who came and left the reservation, Charpentier has remained committed to the potentialities of Indigenous education, motivated by the early friendship he formed with Prairie Chief, who taught him lessons far and wide, from dealing with buffalo while riding a horse to coping with student dropouts he would never see again.

Told through episodic experiences, the story takes a journey back in time as Charpentier searches for answers to Prairie Chief’s life. As he sits on top of the sledding hill near the cemetery where Prairie Chief is buried, Charpentier finds solace in the memories of their shared (mis)adventures and their mutual respect hard won through the challenges of educational and cultural mistrust.
 

324 pages, Paperback

Published May 1, 2024

Reviews

[Jo Stallings · Rating 5 out of 5]

I’ve been touched so deeply by this true story of an unlikely friendship between a green English teacher and a young Native boy living on a Northern Cheyenne reservation in Montana. The author has taken me through every possible emotion on this journey skillfully, with characters so artfully depicted, I feel like I can literally hear their voices. With gentle honesty and refreshing vulnerability, Charpentier powerfully conveys this bittersweet story that will have you questioning the ways in which we give and receive love, friendship, affirmation and hope. Can we give these things without expectation of reciprocity? Do we ever truly know the effect we have on another person’s life?

[Jonna · Rating 5 out of 5]

More than a memoir. Heartbreaking in the most beautiful way. This compilation of memories is written so masterfully that you will feel like you've met the characters, been down the roads they travel, and lived the friendships as if they were your own. I felt the full spectrum of emotions from absolute joy to utter devastation. Not only do you experience what life was like for a new teacher on the Northern Cheyenne Reservation in the early 90's, you'll also learn about the local culture and traditions as Teacher Dave experienced them. This book is a reminder to always be kind, especially when you're not met with gratitude in response.

[Thomas Kelley · Rating 4 out of 5]

Dave Carpentier after struggling through science classes in college he changes his major from physical therapy to an English major with the prediction that he will teach English on a reservation in Montana. And this is just what does in 1990 he moves to the town of Ashland, Montana to be an English teacher for St. Labre Catholic School on the Northern Cheyenne Indian Reservation. Not long after moving into his new accommodations he meets a young man by the name of Maurice Prairie Chief, and they quickly develop a friendship. With Maurice not having much direction or role models to follow Dave becomes not only a teacher but like a big brother to Maurice. Much of the story follows their adventures around the area whether it is fishing, climbing or riding bikes or any adventure that includes a few cookies and soda. Along the way Dave learns about life both good and bad on the reservation and many of the traditions. You learn early on that there will be some sadness in this story but overall, this is a good read.

[Ryan Kepler · Rating 5 out of 5]

Teacher Dave's heartfelt and moving account of friendship, loss, and life on the reservation emphasizes the fragility and fleetness of life. We control what we can control but often times we realize that we have little power to control anything. Teacher Dave reminds us that life is like trying to grasp the Tongue River or love a sunset over Fisher's Butte. Purpose and meaning are difficult to find and the beautiful moments are fleeting.

[Ann · Rating 4 out of 5]

Got this book b/c it was written by a Johnnie (didn't know him). Interesting story about what he did after college, going to a reservation in Montana to teach at a reservation. The story revolved around his relationship with one student in particular. The problem was, it was kind of poorly written. It jumped around, and there were gaps. But I still really admire Dave and what he has done with his life!

[Sue Gergen · Rating 5 out of 5]

All the feels and so much love is in this book. It’s a touching memoir ode to an unforgettable connection. I didn’t want it to end. I want more adventures of Eagleman and Hawkman. Thank you, Dave, for sharing your story. Thank you for sharing the amazing spirit of Maurice. He lives on in you and your words.

[Bibliohiker · Rating 4 out of 5]

Thanks to the publisher and NetGalley for letting me review this book. This was a book about a teacher and one of his students. How the teacher befriended and tried to help this student. Even when the odds were against him, he still tried to better his student’s life.

[Lavon Court · Rating 5 out of 5]

Touching, heartbreaking and beautiful true story of MN college grad who starts his teaching career on a reservation in Montana. His friendship with a young Native American boy is the center of the book and the lessons the young teacher learns.

[Ann Jonas · Rating 4 out of 5]

just a little slow in the middle but still an excellent, heartfelt read. A true story of a teacher who tried so hard to make a difference in a young boy's life when that boy had so many strikes against him.

[Charlie Hooley · Rating 5 out of 5]

Dave is able to capture the complexity of life on the Res in a way that is both compelling and heartbreaking.

[Reader · Rating 5 out of 5]

I may be a little biased but an excellent read

[Byrce Hurst · Rating 5 out of 5]

A compelling read that picks up in the last 80 pages.