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Native North American History, Women's Biography, Native Americans - Biography, Women's Biography, Native North American People
Completing the Circle by Virginia Driving Hawk Sneve β€” book cover

Completing the Circle

by Virginia Driving Hawk Sneve, Virginia Sneve
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Overview

Virginia Driving Hawk Sneve tells her own story and the story of her family. An expert quilter, she recalls her grandmother, Flora Driving Hawk, teaching her how storytelling enthralls and how a quilt can represent all that holds a family together. "I think of how she and her woman friends sat around the quilt frame, gossiping, laughing, sighing as they stitched the joys and sorrows of their lives into the quilt."

Synopsis

Virginia Driving Hawk Sneve tells her own story and the story of her family. An expert quilter, she recalls her grandmother, Flora Driving Hawk, teaching her how storytelling enthralls and how a quilt can represent all that holds a family together. "I think of how she and her woman friends sat around the quilt frame, gossiping, laughing, sighing as they stitched the joys and sorrows of their lives into the quilt."

Publishers Weekly

Sneve, author of stories for children about Native American culture (High Elk's Treasure), here details her family history. Descended from three branches of Sioux (the Santee, Teton and Yankton), Sneve consulted archival records and published sources to supplement the oral histories and legends that had been passed down to her by her grandmothers, whom Sneve remembers as religious, hardworking and loving individuals. They were devout Christians as a result of missionary work among Native Americans, and both women gave Sneve a respect for her Sioux cultural heritage. Her paternal grandmother, Flora Driving Hawk, was an expert quilter; Sneve's memories of her grandmother's stitching inspired her to fashion quilts of her own. Sneve also describes the suffering imposed on her great-grandmothers and grandmothers by the U.S. government when they were forced into reservation life. Of greatest interest to historians. Photos. (May)

About the Author, Virginia Driving Hawk Sneve

National Humanities Medalist for the year 2000,Virginia Driving Hawk Sneve is the author of The Chichi Hoohoo Bogeyman, When Thunders Spoke, and The Trickster and the Troll, all available from the University of Nebraska Press.

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Editorials

Publishers Weekly - Publisher's Weekly

Sneve, author of stories for children about Native American culture (High Elk's Treasure), here details her family history. Descended from three branches of Sioux (the Santee, Teton and Yankton), Sneve consulted archival records and published sources to supplement the oral histories and legends that had been passed down to her by her grandmothers, whom Sneve remembers as religious, hardworking and loving individuals. They were devout Christians as a result of missionary work among Native Americans, and both women gave Sneve a respect for her Sioux cultural heritage. Her paternal grandmother, Flora Driving Hawk, was an expert quilter; Sneve's memories of her grandmother's stitching inspired her to fashion quilts of her own. Sneve also describes the suffering imposed on her great-grandmothers and grandmothers by the U.S. government when they were forced into reservation life. Of greatest interest to historians. Photos. (May)

Booklist

β€œThis is storytelling at its best as Sneve combines history, legend, and autobiography to create a loving look at a fascinating people.”—Booklist

Winds of Change

β€œPiecing together the stories of her grandmothers in much the same way she pieces together colored cloth to make a quilt, Virginia Driving Hawk Sneve creates a rich pattern of history that highlights the experiences of the women in her family through four generations. . . . These stories of the strength and tenacity of Native American women can enrich the lives of all women. . . . We have much to learn from these women.”—Winds of Change

Book Details

Published
September 1, 1998
Publisher
University of Nebraska Press
Pages
121
Format
Paperback
ISBN
9780803292543

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