Indian Child Life

"Indian Child Life" by Charles A. Eastman is a series of stories from the author's life that gives a look into the world of Native American children in the early 1900s. Eastman, a Sioux tribe member, shares his own childhood experiences to show the simple and beautiful parts of growing being a Native American child, while also touching on the difficult times his people went through. The book starts by showing Eastman's early life with the Sioux, especially his time with his grandmother, sharing memories of his babyhood and talking about important cultural things like naming traditions and games. He also mentions the hardships his tribe faced as America grew. Eastman talks about his loving relationship with his grandmother and the life lessons she taught him, like how important nature is and how to respect the environment when raising Indian children. These old memories set the stage for the stories to come, helping readers understand and appreciate the essence of being a Native American child.