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Writers at this year’s retreat of Oak Lake Tribal Writers’ Society are identified by name at bottom of story.Courtesy photo/SDSU University Relations

Tribal Writers Meet for Annual Oak Lake Retreat

By Jeanne Jones Manzer

BROOKINGS, S.D.—Working to improve each other's culture-based writing was the primary purpose of this year's Oak Lake Tribal Writers' Society retreat at the South Dakota State University's Oak Lake Field Station near Astoria July 27-31. In fact, that has been the goal of each year's five-day writing seclusion over the last 16 years when anywhere from 10 to 15 tribal writers have met for immersion in the process of writing their stories.

Elizabeth Cook-Lynn, noted American Indian studies scholar, author and Society co-founder, and Edward Valandra, author and chair of the American Indian studies department at the University of South Dakota, served as co-mentors for the group this year.

Cook-Lynn said the group had four goals for the week: to work on individual manuscripts, to introduce American Indian studies topics, to continue collaborating on a Black Hills-focused anthology and to discuss and help each other in workshop sessions.

One such session looked at Elden Lawrence's draft of a short story. His story focused on the relationship between American Indians and "sunka," the Dakota word for dogs, who were not pets but vital members of the family. Lawrence's reading brought smiles and nods with its familiar images that sent listeners into memories of their own experiences with dogs.

"Hearing the names of neighborhood dogs made me think of my own," said Kristen Hill, Sisseton, one of the newest Writers' Society members.

Readers as 'Listening Audience'

Writing as if he is telling the story orally has become almost a signature style for Lawrence. "I treat the reader like I would any listening audience," he said.

After he read the story, the group analyzed it, giving Lawrence helpful suggestions for revision. It's that safe haven of tribal members that is vital to the retreat's success.

Lawrence said the single most important thing the Writers' Society has taught him is how to write from his heart instead of his head. His latest story, "Sunka," uses familiar tribal storytelling techniques, including a legend-history-personal experience sequence.

Each participant brings tribal experience to these retreats. Craig Howe, professor of graduate studies at Oglala Lakota College, called himself the group's "token academic," saying he's not as interested in creative writing as are the other writers. Instead, he uses his time with the Society to develop ideas about his academic writing and classroom teachings and tests those ideas on the writers.

"I really enjoy spending time with Chuck (Woodard, co-founder and facilitator of the group) and the other writers on a personal level; it sustains my individual work," Howe said.

'This Stretch of the River'

Howe used his academic experience with a Ph.D. in architecture and anthropology to co-edit the Society's anthology, "This Stretch of the River: Lakota, Dakota, and Nakota Responses to the Lewis and Clark Journey and Bicentennial," which was published in 2006 by Pine Hill Press.

Kim TallBear, the anthology's other editor, couldn't attend this year's retreat. However, she sent a letter describing the Society's lasting impact on her as she helped tribal writers in Mendicino County, Calif., begin work on a similar publication.

"The Oak Lake Writers' Society is the only culture-based writers' groups that I am aware of," said Cook-Lynn, who has taught writing in universities in Washington, California and Arizona as well as in South Dakota.

The level of safety and security that comes from other tribal members was a recurrent comment from each writer. The fact that so many writers come to the annual retreat, and even to mid-year meetings, also creates a great network of support.

Lydia Whirlwind Soldier, educator, poet, business owner and recognized craftswoman, wrote her book of poetry, "Memory Songs," with much encouragement from the Society. She has been part of the Society since its start in 1993.

'More Confidence in My Writing'

"The support I find from these writers has given me more confidence in my writing," said Whirlwind Soldier, who has gained a national reputation with her poetry.

Cook-Lynn summarized the significance of the group by remembering her aspirations as a young writer.

"I never said, ‘I want to be a writer.' I said, ‘I want to write. I want to write.' This group provides wonderful motivation to do that," Cook-Lynn said.

"My focus is never on getting published. I deal with ideas, and I have to express them," Cook-Lynn also observed.

Helping tribal writers express their ideas is chief among goals for the retreat, but learning to listen to the wisdom of the elders is also vital to tribal tradition.

Whether that wisdom comes from experienced published authors like Cook-Lynn or from oral storytellers like Lawrence who have more recently begun putting stories in writing, the Society has become a safe haven to learn, practice and critique tribal writing.

The Society's influence has also resulted in "Shaping Survival: Essays By Four American Indian Tribal Women" edited by Woodard and Jack W. Marken and published by Scarecrow Press.

List of Participants

This year's participants included: Marie Giago and Tasiyagnunpa Livermont, both of Brookings; Mabel Picotte, Chamberlain; Craig Howe, Martin; Elden Lawrence and Florestine Kiyukanpi Renville, both of Peever; Vi Waln, Parmalee; Austin and Lucy Keith and Lydia Whirlwind Soldier, all of Rosebud; Kristen Hill and Gabrielle Tateyuskanskan, both of Sisseton; and Joel Waters, Sioux Falls.

The South Dakota Humanities Council, SDSU Office of Diversity Enhancement, SDSU English Department and SDSU Office of Academic Affairs support the weeklong event which society co-founder and distinguished professor Charles Woodard facilitates.

More information about the Oak Lake Tribal Writers' Society can be found at oaklakewriterssociety.org.

Extended caption for above photo: Writers at this year’s retreat of Oak Lake Tribal Writers’ Society included, front row, from left, Florestine Kiyukanpi Renville, Peever; Lydia Whirlwind Soldier, Rosebud; Edward Valandra, Vermillion; and Charles Woodard, Brookings. Second row, from left, Elden Lawrence, Peever; Lucy Keith, Rosebud; Tasiyagnunpa Livermont, Brookings; Vi Wahn, Parmalee; and Mabel Picotte, Chamberlain. Standing, from left, Kristen Hill, Sisseton; Craig Howe, Martin; Austin Keith, Rosebud; Marie Giago, Brookings; Joel Waters, Sioux Falls; and Elizabeth Cook-Lynn, Rapid City.

Jeanne Jones Manzer is news editor of University Relations at South Dakota State University in Brookings.