the middle of North America The Oglala are one band within the Lakota Nation Pine Ridge Indian Reservation in South Dakota is home to the Oglala Pine Ridge is also the name of the reservation's largest town In 1973 almost three thousand people lived in the town Early French trappers and settlers used the name Sioux for the Lakota Dakota and Nakota peoples The word probably comes from an insult used by a neighboring tribe This book uses Sioux only when needed to be historically correct Lakota is more specific and comes from the nation's own language Most Indigenous people all over the world prefer to use their own names instead of names given by others The Apache and Ojibwe nations are also mentioned Apache comes from a word that means enemy in the language of the Zuni a neighboring people The Apache nation's words for its own people are Inde or Diné Anishinaabe is the name preferred by the people of the Ojibwe nation If you ever have a question about what name is best for an individual or group you should ask them what they prefer
Chapter 1 February 28 1973 Patsy wanted to go back to sleep but the pesky buzzer on her clock radio wouldn't let her She kept the clock on her dresser out of reach That way she had to get out of bed to turn it off Most mornings that was enough to get her day going But this morning after crossing the room to push the off button Patsy collapsed back on her bed Pit a pat Mom called opening Patsy's door I've got to go It's tuna sandwiches in the cafeteria today If you don't want that you can take peanut butter and jelly Patsy groaned as her mom kissed the top of her head Don't call me Pit a pat Patsy protested I'm almost twelve I'm not a baby 7
As you wish Miss Patricia Brave Bird Antoine Mom said with pretend formality But you'll always be my baby Patsy smiled despite herself Speaking of babies you're going to need some new uniforms soon Mom checked the skirt of her nurse's dress which stretched tightly over her growing belly Patsy was getting a sibling in about four months She hoped it would be a girl I think I can alter a few of the ones I have Mom was always finding ways to save money Now I have to get to the hospital And you have to get ready for school Dad's in the shower See you tonight Patsy brushed her teeth combed her long hair and picked an outfit a new top with her favorite bell bottom jeans By the time she got to the kitchen Dad was already packing his lunch PB and J Pats he asked offering her the peanut butter jar Yep She wouldn't eat tuna sandwiches She hated mayonnaise You want a ride today Dad asked 8
The days that Mom worked Patsy could ride to school with Dad or take her bike If she got a ride she had to take the bus home That added forty minutes to her day She looked out the window A bright sun climbed a cloudless sky Snow covered the mountain peaks on the western horizon but the sidewalks in her Denver neighborhood were clear Nah I'll take my bike she said Bundle up then Our winter hasn't given up yet Dad dropped his sandwich in a brown bag and grabbed his thermos didn't know But she did know that one Thečhihila he said on his way out the door Patsy many phrases in Lakota Dad's native language I love you Patsy pulled her bike out of the rack in front of her apartment then donned her gloves hat and earmuffs The two mile ride to school was chilly Sixth grade was in the middle school building not at the elementary school a couple blocks from her house Middle school had brought some other changes for Patsy Her parents had decided she was old enough to ride her bike to school and stay home 9
