Impressions of Impressions of an Indian Childhood

"Impressions of an Indian Childhood" is a work by a Native American woman named Zitkala-Sa. It contains several anecdotes from the author's childhood that stood out particularly in her mind. The first part of the piece is comprised of a description of the author's mother. As a child, Zitkala-Sa help her mother in the highest esteem. She had absolute respect for the women, and loved her immensely. Zitkala-Sa's mother was a kind and patient woman who was very respected in her community, but she had a deep sadness because of the "palefaces" who invaded her village and killed her family. From a young age, Zitkala-Sa is taught to respect all living things, yet is infused with a deep hatred of the palefaces by her mother. She loves to hear stories from the village elders when they all come to eat at her home, and she reminisces about how the village women would practice beadwork and her education in that discipline. The last story in the work is about Zitkala-Sa leaving her mother and going east with the palefaces. She is enticed by stories of apples and beautiful land, and these tales combined with the fact that her brother had previously left with the palefaces and returned unharmed drives her to beg her mother to let her go. Zitkala-Sa's mother is very reluctant to release her daughter, but finally concedes. The recountal ends with Zitkala-Sa watching her mother fade into the distance and being filled with regret.

--Wald der Indianisch