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Good morning, The older printings of CADDIE WOODLAWN, with illustrations by Seredy, include one of the scalp belt. I've scanned it and you can see it at my second blog, "Images of Indians in Children's Books." http://imagesofindiansinchildrensbooks.blogspot.com/ Thanks to all of you who've sent me resources to use to trace this term. Most of you note it in other works of fiction, also by individuals who are not Native. I don't mean to say that a Native author would not use it, or that a white one would. Things aren't quite that way. I do mean, however, to ask that you think carefully about the source. There were (and are) deliberate initiatives and unwitting (uncritical) writers who sought to create an image of American Indians as horrific savages. That subtext is present, even in books like CADDIE, where there are "friendly" Indians, or white characters defending (or saving, as Caddie does) the "friendly" or "good" Indians. In one of my publications, I suggested that works of fiction about American Indians need to be evaluated as carefully for accuracy as a work of non-fiction is. I made that statement because of the overwhelming amount of garbage present in children's books. CADDIE is old and outdated, but still very much in circulation. WHY????? A lot of people have written to me to say they're shocked at the representations of American Indians in it. WHY does the publishing industry keep printing these awful books? Sure---they make money, but I think there's another agenda at work. I can say, generously, that most people aren't aware of that agenda. I suggest, though, that there is an interest afoot at confining us (American Indians) to the past. Bloodthirsty or romantic, as long as its in the past, its gobbled up. Why? Will YOU take Caddie Woodlawn off your shelf and do a critical read of it with kids in your library or classroom? Why? Why not? Debbie Debbie A. Reese (Nambé Pueblo) Assistant Professor, American Indian Studies University of Illinois at Urbana-Champaign Native American House, Room 2005 1204 West Nevada Street, MC-138 Urbana, Illinois 61801 Email: debreese@uiuc.edu Internet Resource & Blog: http://americanindiansinchildrensliterature.blogspot.com/ Native American House: http://www.nah.uiuc.edu TEL 217-265-9885 FAX 217-265-9880 -------------------------------------------------------------------- Please note: All LM_NET postings are protected by copyright law. You can prevent most e-mail filters from deleting LM_NET postings by adding LM_NET@LISTSERV.SYR.EDU to your e-mail address book. To change your LM_NET status, e-mail to: listserv@listserv.syr.edu In the message write EITHER: 1) SIGNOFF LM_NET 2) SET LM_NET NOMAIL 3) SET LM_NET MAIL 4) SET LM_NET DIGEST * Allow for confirmation. * LM_NET Help & Information: http://www.eduref.org/lm_net/ * LM_NET Archive: http://www.eduref.org/lm_net/archive/ * EL-Announce with LM_NET Select: http://elann.biglist.com/sub/ * LM_NET Supporters: http://www.eduref.org/lm_net/ven.html --------------------------------------------------------------------