Wow, there are so many jobs that the Nez Perce people had that sound really interesting: The Sun Herald who wakes everyone up with a positive message, The Riders, The kids who search for traces of nearby animals, the Storytellers... What would you want your special job to be in a tribe like that?
Soun and his grandfather, Chief Joseph remind me of you and Gram. It is interesting how the grandparents in the Nez Perce Tribe are encouraged to be a big influence on their grandchildren to "teach them how to live good lives" (21).
The root-digging festival they are headed to sure seems like a pretty big deal. Everyone wears their most valued and fancy items. What would you wear to a festival where you had to look your best?
Chief Joseph got his name from white people. I did not know this. I guess it makes sense--Joseph isn't exactly a Native American name. Did you notice on page 25, how the white people are portrayed in a negative way? Chief Joseph and his sons call the white people strange, liars, and say they are full of broken promises. I am telling you Nat, white people were horrible to the Native Americans. They were the worst thing to happen to them.
It is interesting how much everyone is always hard at work at something. Even the three-year-olds had jobs! I bet they don't mind working so much because they get to be together and they are working with love for each other, instead of working like we do today, for other people and away from our families. What do you think?
Oh boy, I sure am looking forward to Chapter Two!
