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American Indian Studies (AIS)
Shedding Skins: Four Sioux Poets
Here's the myth: Native Americans are people of great spiritual depth, in touch with the rhythms of the earth, rhythms that they celebrate through drumming and dancing. They love the great outdoors and are completely in tune with the natural world. They can predict the weather by glancing at the sky, or hearing a crow cry, or somehow. Who knows exactly how? The point of the myth is that Indians are, well, special. Different from white people, but in a good way.
The four young male Native American poets whose work is brought together in this startling collection would probably raise high their middle fingers in salute to this myth. These guys and "guys" they are—don't buy into the myth. Their poems aren't about hunting and fishing or bonding with animal spirits. Their poems are about urban decay and homelessness, about loneliness and despair, about Payday Loans and 40-ounce beers, about getting enough to eat and too much to drink. And there is nothing romantic about their poetry, either. It is written in the vernacular of mean streets: often raw and coarse and vulgar, just like the lives it describes. Sure, they write about life on the reservation. However, for the Indians in their poems, life on the reservation is a lot like life in the city, but without the traffic. These poets are sick to death of the myth. You can feel it in their poems.
These poets are bound by a common attitude as well as a common heritage. All four—Joel Waters, Steve Pacheco, Luke Warm Water, and Trevino L. Brings Plenty—are Sioux, and all four identify themselves as "Skins" (as in "Redskins"). In their poems, they grapple with their heritage, wrestling with what it means to be a Sioux and a Skin today. It's a fight to the finish.
The four young male Native American poets whose work is brought together in this startling collection would probably raise high their middle fingers in salute to this myth. These guys and "guys" they are—don't buy into the myth. Their poems aren't about hunting and fishing or bonding with animal spirits. Their poems are about urban decay and homelessness, about loneliness and despair, about Payday Loans and 40-ounce beers, about getting enough to eat and too much to drink. And there is nothing romantic about their poetry, either. It is written in the vernacular of mean streets: often raw and coarse and vulgar, just like the lives it describes. Sure, they write about life on the reservation. However, for the Indians in their poems, life on the reservation is a lot like life in the city, but without the traffic. These poets are sick to death of the myth. You can feel it in their poems.
These poets are bound by a common attitude as well as a common heritage. All four—Joel Waters, Steve Pacheco, Luke Warm Water, and Trevino L. Brings Plenty—are Sioux, and all four identify themselves as "Skins" (as in "Redskins"). In their poems, they grapple with their heritage, wrestling with what it means to be a Sioux and a Skin today. It's a fight to the finish.
- GenresPoetry
124 pages, Paperback
First published January 30, 2008
44 people want to read
About the author
Trevino L. Brings Plenty
6 books11 followersTrevino L. Brings Plenty, was born on the Cheyenne River Reservation, Eagle Butte, South Dakota, April 4, 1976. A Minneconjou Lakota Indian, he lived on the reservation until age three, then with family moved to Bay Area, CA. At age 16, he moved to Portland Oregon where he now resides. He is 55/64 Lakota; the 9/64 is unknown (probably fur trapper).
Trevino L. Brings Plenty is a poet and musician who lives, works, and writes in Portland, OR. He is singer/songwriter/guitarist for the musical ensemble Ballads of Larry Drake. He has read/performed his work at poetry festivals as far away as Amman, Jordan and close to his home base at Portland’s Wordstock Festival, 2005.
Trevino is an American and Native American; a Lakota Indian born on the Cheyenne River Sioux Reservation, South Dakota, USA. Some of his work explores the American Indian identity in American culture and how it has through genealogical history affected indigenous peoples in the 21st century. He writes of urban Indian life; it’s his subject.
Other titles by author: Real Indian Junk Jewelry (2012); Shedding Skins: Four Sioux Poets (2008).
Trevino L. Brings Plenty is a poet and musician who lives, works, and writes in Portland, OR. He is singer/songwriter/guitarist for the musical ensemble Ballads of Larry Drake. He has read/performed his work at poetry festivals as far away as Amman, Jordan and close to his home base at Portland’s Wordstock Festival, 2005.
Trevino is an American and Native American; a Lakota Indian born on the Cheyenne River Sioux Reservation, South Dakota, USA. Some of his work explores the American Indian identity in American culture and how it has through genealogical history affected indigenous peoples in the 21st century. He writes of urban Indian life; it’s his subject.
Other titles by author: Real Indian Junk Jewelry (2012); Shedding Skins: Four Sioux Poets (2008).
Ratings & Reviews
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Displaying 1 - 5 of 5 reviews
November 10, 2018
Poetry normally isn't my thing, which didn't change much in the case of reading Shedding Skins. And although I didn't particularly vibe with this book, I do respect where it is coming from and how it is written.
All three authors have a unique way of using blunt wording, sharp rhymes, and often vulgar visuals to grip the reader, effectively transporting them into the scene they so elaborately create. There is no mincing of words in these poems and each man seems to put every once of himself on paper, delving far into the depths of poverty, racism, stereotypes, sex, love, family, and survival.
The majority of the book seems angry, with each man seeming to place the blame of their people's struggles in life on others like the government, large cities, and the whites. I do agree that people can be assholes, that life is very often hard, and that that hell can seem endless, but there has to be some responsibility to the individual as well. It's not the responsibility of others to make us happy, it's ours. Sometimes you need to help yourself, and sadly, I don't see much of that concept in this book. At times, I felt hopeless reading it and it nearly made me want to put it down for good.
This isn't a bad read, just difficult considering the content. Intrigue mixed with depression.
All three authors have a unique way of using blunt wording, sharp rhymes, and often vulgar visuals to grip the reader, effectively transporting them into the scene they so elaborately create. There is no mincing of words in these poems and each man seems to put every once of himself on paper, delving far into the depths of poverty, racism, stereotypes, sex, love, family, and survival.
The majority of the book seems angry, with each man seeming to place the blame of their people's struggles in life on others like the government, large cities, and the whites. I do agree that people can be assholes, that life is very often hard, and that that hell can seem endless, but there has to be some responsibility to the individual as well. It's not the responsibility of others to make us happy, it's ours. Sometimes you need to help yourself, and sadly, I don't see much of that concept in this book. At times, I felt hopeless reading it and it nearly made me want to put it down for good.
This isn't a bad read, just difficult considering the content. Intrigue mixed with depression.
October 21, 2020
This book and its poetry highlights the struggle of the modern-day Native American against a multitude of problems. I'd rate this book as a high three or a low four. It had its moments of greatness, and I felt like this book did a great job of providing insights into Native American culture.
As far as poetry books go, the types of poems that you will get here are gritty and rough—crude, even, at times. That said, I found the poetry enjoyable to read, but once is probably enough.
As far as poetry books go, the types of poems that you will get here are gritty and rough—crude, even, at times. That said, I found the poetry enjoyable to read, but once is probably enough.
November 6, 2018
NDN men tell it like it is
Interesting glimpse into the minds of men who have witnessed poverty and rez life firsthand. Relatable to anyone who has been poor in America.
Interesting glimpse into the minds of men who have witnessed poverty and rez life firsthand. Relatable to anyone who has been poor in America.
May 1, 2019
An amazing selection of Native American poetry that will emotionally engage both those who are Native American themselves and those who are not.
June 12, 2014
Excellent book. When I purchased it the other day, I was surprised it wasn't a new title. It had been linked on Facebook by the editor.
This is one of those books, that reveals the true history of this country. The good, the bad, and everything in between. These four men are wonderful poets. Similar topics, but very individual ways of showcasing both the lives of the narrators of the poems, and the style of their words.
They may be shedding their skins, but this book asks the reader, maybe even requires them, to do the same, only for us, to shed preconceptions and stereotypes. Fine writers, all.
This is one of those books, that reveals the true history of this country. The good, the bad, and everything in between. These four men are wonderful poets. Similar topics, but very individual ways of showcasing both the lives of the narrators of the poems, and the style of their words.
They may be shedding their skins, but this book asks the reader, maybe even requires them, to do the same, only for us, to shed preconceptions and stereotypes. Fine writers, all.
Displaying 1 - 5 of 5 reviews