The Healing of Natalie Curtis

3.8 StarsThank you in advance to publisher, Revell (a division of Baker Books), for providing a complimentary review copy of the book through Interviews & Reviews. A positive review was definitely not required or requested in any way; all words are my own.This was the first book I read by the author, and I have to agree with some reviewers – it can be a tedious read despite having short chapters. There is a LOT of narrative detail. Given the complexity of the novel and its ties to a historical figure, a review will be a bit on the lengthy side.I chose this because the premise sounded interesting and the cover is insanely gorgeous. Living in the Nevada desert, I can almost feel the scorching heat by looking at the cover. The rough texture of the cover is a reminder that while beautiful, things are rough and never as they appear, a metaphor for what is being told in this book by Kirkpatrick.To be honest, I had never heard of Natalie Curtis (Burlin). As a result of reading the book and doing this review, I learned quite a bit. However, there is controversy in her work and her accomplishments. The author only covers the period of 1902-1917 in this story and it is mainly centered on Natalie’s research for The Indians’ Book.The Healing of Natalie Curtis is compelling, git-wrenching, poignant, devastating. Curtis’ desire to preserve the “culture” is beautiful and inspirational, reminding us that we can be both be in and of when it comes to two separate worlds.Given the topic – this has themes of racism (towards Native Americans), forms of cruelty, some questionable terms. It does have some political tones as well. The language and dialogue are for accuracy given the time period.Most of the characters here in this book are all real characters except for: Mary Jo Brigand (Co-Owner of Bar X Ranch), Bonita (the burro), and Mina (Hopi girl at Oraibi).Since this is based on actual events, spoilers are easy to find online. This is a fictionalized account of a real story. It is told over two parts with seven (7) interludes by some real and some fictional Native narrators in what appears to be second person format. The chapters are always from Natalie’s POV in third person.The story begins in 1902 as Natalie is “recovering”. Apparently, Natalie suffered a mental breakdown that severed her lifelong connection with performing, which is revealed in the author’s notes in the back. Readers will have to read the notes to get the entirety of the story.It is after she reads a book by George Lummis that Natalie learns about the Code of Indian Offenses.She and her brother stay with the Lummis’ and learn of what is being done to the Indians. Howard and Gertrude Gates reveal the atrocities committed by Charles Burton, an Agent/Superintendent at one of the “villages”.Gertrude reveals that the day school atrocities are unjust:🎼No Music💃🏻 No Dances🎨No Art✂️ Hair Cut👚👕 “White Man” clothing [No Tribal Clothing]Most of this is committed by Christians who Howard claims is not professing the faith he was taught. And, it is the government’s desire to “assimilate” the Indians to be good Americans, though that means losing their culture in its entirety.George and Natalie travel to Yuma and where Natalie meets Chiparoapi, a Yuma woman. She knows something is wrong with Natalie and would “sing” for her if it was allowed. It is here that Natalie runs afoul of Burton.There is a definite and noticeable hypocrisy about the businesses who exploit the culture while punishing those who wish to practice it as part of their identity.There is an offensive part when Burton tells Natalie that her being at Oriabi as a convalescing woman is better than a university student as “they agitate the Indians, make them think their history is important, while we’re trying to wipe it away, encourage them to become good American citizens”.Natalie learns there is a price to pay for disobedience – cut rations despite the fact the people are barely given enough to eat.In part two (2), Natalie is putting into motion what she needs to do to perhaps getting the Indians better treatment.Using her connection to President Theodore Roosevelt, Natalie gets permission to record and preserve the songs, dance, and arts. She travels and gains extensive knowledge of the tribes and their customs.Along her journey she meets several influential people.Natalie, between 1902-1906, gathers information from 18 tribes and compiles over 500+ pages of material for her book. Rather, as she puts it, it is the Indians’ book and she is merely the pencil. It is her hope that by doing so, “the code” can be changed. Lummis is also hoping to dismantle the code as well.In 1907, Natalie is able to publish the book. Though the code wasn’t muted until 1920/1921 shortly before/around the time of her death. It wasn’t until Franklin Roosevelt’s administration that the code was amended. The book, and Teddy Roosevelt’s involvement merely reduced enforcement.This book ends in 1917 just as Natalie meets Paul Burlin who was 11 years younger than she was.In the author’s 9-10 pages of notes at the end, she goes into more detail and explains certain parts of the book along with more facts. I honestly feel that the best parts of the book were the towards the end.Natalie and Paul married in 1917. She was tragically killed in Paris in 1921 when she was struck by an automobile. Ironically the car was being driven by a doctor responding to an emergency. Curtis was, before her death, able to complete the projects also mentioned in this book.I enjoyed the story as I read it, but it was a bit bland for me. It did prompt me to do some research and certainly appreciate Curtis’ work and perseverance to do what was right. And, according to the website in her honor (go to my profile, click on my blog, and find the information there as Amazon doesn’t allow direct links).Curtis wasn’t an overwhelming figure as Kirkpatrick’s book would have had me believe. “But symphony orchestras don't play compositions by Natalie Curtis Burlin. Indian and black activists don't laud her as a contributor to their causes. Books on the accomplishments of American women seldom list her, much less devote chapters to her.”I personally visited the prison Natalie and her brother toured in Yuma (Yuma Territorial Prison). In February 1990, my mother and I traveled to Yuma where her best friend from high school lived. This woman took my mother and I (along with her own sons) to visit the prison which has been a museum since 1961. I wish I had pictures, but it is, even after its use, it remains quite imposing. I cannot image how it felt during the time of this story.I feel there was a lot of narrative that could’ve been left out. And, while I often enjoy some historical fiction based on real life people/events, I feel this could’ve worked much better as a biography rather than a fictionalized novel. However, it does spark some interest. I think the author did a tremendous amount of research and found the book was mostly accurate.Today Curtis’ book is still available. I found a version here online at Amazon.Despite being distributed by Revell, a primarily Christian/faith-themed publisher, there are very little references to Christianity. There is mention of Jesus and a few bible quotes; they are not integral to the story’s main plot and are very minor. It is a clean read – no foul language, and since this isn’t a romance per se, there are no real intimate scenes.You can click my profile and check out the FULL blog review I did on this book.

This was such a fascinating read! I really had no idea of all of the things that the US government did to Native Americans, in thinking that they were integrating them into the white mens ways. This novel is based on the true story of Natalie Curtis who did all she could to change and save their language, dance and song- which had been deemed forbidden under the Code of Offenses. At the time she had a very close connection to President Roosevelt, who did take the time to listen to her after she had been out west to see all the was happening to them.Natalie Curtis gets invited to head out west with her brother. It had done him wonders for his health, and maybe this will help Natalie find herself again. Along the way to their journey west, Natalie meets various characters who help to pique her interest in what is happening to the Native Americans, and she quickly finds what her meaning in life will be. Saving these songs, language and words before they are lost to history like a lot of other things that have already been taken from them.The author did an amazing job of writing this story. I thoroughly enjoyed learning about the different tribes; their beliefs, songs, stories and folklore. She does a great job in making you see nature how they view it, and that it is to be honored in it gives us everything to live and it is not just ours to own and take as we please. The author did a great job in researching Natalie Curtis, and detailing all that she did to make a difference and save history. Thank you to Revell for the free book through the blogger program. I have already ordered other novels of hers to read.

Another gem from Jane Kirkpatrick. She always gives us a story that teaches life lessons, a look at life and shows us depth of human character. This one includes life and beauty, taking something broken, mixing it with new clay, and making a new thing that is much stronger for the experience. Natalie Curtis was a real person, this is based on her life and fictionalized. She traveled the West with her brother and created a book of Native American songs and art, shining light on the people and their ways, the Code that restricted their lives. Through this she brought a change for them, even through President Roosevelt. There is so much wisdom within, both from the Native Americans she spent time with and from Jane herself. A worthwhile and enriching journey to read.I received this book free from the publisher and NetGalley book review bloggers program. I was not required to write a positive review. The opinions I have expressed are my own.