Louise Erdrich's new novel "The Night Watchman" takes place on the Turtle Mountain Reservation in North Dakota in the 1950s. Based on the life of her grandfather, Aunishenaubay Patrick Gourneau, the story centers on Thomas Wazhushk, a night watchman at a plant and a tribal leader. Like Erdrich's grandfather, Thomas is alarmed by a bill before Congress that would target the Turtle Mountain Band of Chippewa for "emancipation" from their treaties and "from being Indians." This forced assimilation would destroy the band, eliminate the reservation, negate the treaties and harm the people.
"The Night Watchman" touches on a multitude of serious themes — identity, family, and the abuse and disappearance of Native women. But because it is an Erdrich novel, the darkness is shot through with wry humor and a wonderful lightness. Erdrich is doing only one local event before she heads off on book tour. So mark next Sunday on your calendar — 4 p.m. March 1 at Plymouth Congregational Church, 1900 Nicollet Av. S., Mpls., for her book launch. And look for an interview in next Sunday's Variety.
LAURIE HERTZEL
