Washaka the Bear Dreamer: A Lakota Story Based On Leon Hale's Dream

by Patricia Jamie Lee

Set in the early 1800s, this tale offers a glimpse into the Lakota tribe on the cusp of a great historical change. Little Chief, a young Lakota boy, dreams of a white bear tied to a tree and bleeding at the neck. His grandfather tells him he must watch for this bear - or something like it - because dreams are Wakan, sacred signs from the creator.

241 pages, Paperback

First published April 10, 2006

Reviews

[Jan · Rating 3 out of 5]

This is an interesting, albeit simplistic tale about a Lakota boy named Little Chief. Little Chief lives happily with his family in his villabe but is troubled by a recurring dream about a white bear that is tied to a tree, bleeding. While on a long trek with his father, he discovers the cabin of white settlers, whom he has never before seen. While watching the cabin, he sees the father of the family of settlers shouting and berating his son, Jonathan, who has a mild birth defect that causes him to be clumsy. The father punishes his son by tying him to a tree. Little Chief cannot bear the thought of the boy enduring such abuse, and travels back on his own to rescue Jonathan, who willingly leaves his family to escape the tyranny of his father. Jonathan (re-named Mato Ska) adapts quickly to Lakota life and is happy with his new family. But as he grows older, Mato Ska is overwhelmed by a desire to visit his beloved twin brother and mother, and on that journey, tragedy awaits his Lakota brother, Little Chief.

This story eloquently describes the inevitable clash of cultures between the Lakota and the white settlers. The author does paint an overly idyllic portrait of Lakota life; a more realistic depiction would have added to the depth and complexity of the tale. But this is still an interesting read for teens who enjoy Native American fiction.

[Tea · Rating 5 out of 5]

This book started as a mandatory read in college and has turned into something I really enjoyed. I glad my professor gave us this book to enjoy just as much as she does. Since it's not my typical style of reading it took me sometime to actually 'give' myself to Washaka, but halfway through and until the end, I was hooked by Jamie Lee's book, as she wrote it only from a mans small dream.