Review by Alexander Ketzler

Legacy of the Chief
Author, Ronald N. Simpson
2001, Publication Consultants
Estimated range: seventh through twelfth grades, adult

Is this a fiction or a non-fiction story?
The author dedicates the book to his great-grandfather Chief Nicolai of Taral who witnessed the coming of the exploitation of the Kennicot copper lode, and the coming of the railroad. There is no evidence that this book is factual in the light that there is no bibliography, works cited, or references. He also dedicates the book to his grandfather, "whose Native ancestry tied me directly to the world of the Athabaskan people who are the children of the earth."

Is the story based upon cultural, and/or cultural intellectual knowledge(s)?
In light of the fact that Chief Nicolai was a well know historical figure in the past, well respected and his story is passed down from generation to generation. This is because he had ten children, one daughter and nine sons that ranged from Chena, Alaska to Kenai. The story that he purports to tell is the story of my great-great-grandfather. Unfortunately he talks very little about him in the entire book other than to directly quote Chief Nicolai in 1910, I don't know how he accomplished this. He then creates a fictional character by the name of Johnny Gakona Nicolai Gadanski that becomes the main focus of the book.

Is this story an infringement on cultural intellectual knowledge(s)?
This would depend on the direct relatives that you would ask, in reading the book I was hoping that he would fill in some gaps that I have concerning our family until it became apparent to me that he did not know of his family tree very well.

What is the author's background, i.e.: reliability, credibility?
The author claims to be Athabaskan, but after reading the book it was obvious to me that he was not very connected to his history, language, or his family history. For reliability he claims to be writing the history of his people but when he writes about them is in a maligning way. As for credibility he claims to be an authority on the history and construction, preservation of the Kennicot Mine.

What are the character(s), theme(s) and plot(s) of the story?
This is confusing because he claimed to be writing about the history of his people, but all he talks about are non-Native peoples and their conversations until the fictional hero of his story actually gets a job at the Kennicot Mine in spite of the fact that he is Native. He then champions the fact that he was able to get two other Natives jobs at the mine in the face of overt hostility and racism.

What is the purpose of the story?
The real purpose of this book when I read it was to explain the history of the CRNW Railway. The author also claims that this book is the history of his people, but judging from the contents he writes ninety five percent about the railroad and ten percent of his people. When he does mention his people it is so shocking on how he portrays them.

Are the characters in the story real people?
Yes they are factual historical figures such as Chief Nicoli and his family. But, they are totally fictionalized in the story by their made up dialog. I mean how can you write an in depth conversation that took place for example in 1910?

Are the illustrations/photographs accurate and/or appropriate?
No, first of all, the photo of Chief Nicoli on the cover page is not Chief Nicoli. Most all of the other photographs of the Native subjects are not identified save for a few. But the other entire historical photo's of the mine and railroad are described in great detail.

Are there stereotypical and demeaning portrayals in the story?
I found too many. About thirty -two to be exact, for example, pg.204, 213, 220, 231, 237, 253, 260, 279, 281, 283, 321, 322, 327, 331, 353, 375, 442, 472, 485, 621, 703, 715, 729, 731. In the story the main characters that are Native only have sexual relations with prostitutes.

What was your overall feeling of this book? Did you like/dislike the book?
This book made me sick to my stomach, it also came to me that not only does the Indigenous community have to be wary of how the greater society portrays us. We have to now be vigilant to the fact that there are people within Indigenous communities that do the same thing. I was shocked and disappointed in this book, and I did not like it at all.

How did this story make you feel?
I felt dirty and ashamed that a distant relative would write such racist and stereotypical portrayals of his own family and history and heritage.

Was the story respectful of its subjects?
To the white American subjects he was, but not to his own people.

Was the language, vocabulary, used properly?
For the white American subjects he did, but for his own people he did not. I stand by my statement that the syntax and structure of the language is one that we do not use.

What was the message to the readers?
This is a million dollar question, and I was confused. What is the message to the readers? He advertised this book as the history of his people and barely mentions them in the 779 pages that he wrote. When he did mention his people and family he wrote such derogatory and defaming statements about them, many overtly racist, stereotypical and maligning, that I feel that he defeated the purpose in writing this book. Historically, genealogical, and family history written in his words are not a peoples pride and honest portrayal of a people but, simply a betrayal.

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