Synopses & Reviews
The Dakota War (1862) was a searing event in Minnesota history as well as a signal event in the lives of Dakota people. Sarah F. Wakefield was caught up in this revolt. A young doctorand#8217;s wife and the mother of two small children, Wakefield published her unusual account of the war and her captivity shortly after the hanging of thirty-eight Dakotas accused of participation in the "Sioux uprising." Among those hanged were Chaska (We-Chank-Wash-ta-don-pee), a Mdewakanton Dakota who had protected her and her children during the upheaval. In a distinctive and compelling voice, Wakefield blames the government for the war and then relates her and her familyand#8217;s ordeal, as well as Chaskaand#8217;s and his familyand#8217;s help and ultimate sacrifice.
This is the first fully annotated modern edition of Six Weeks in the Sioux Tepees. June Namiasand#8217;s extensive introduction and notes describe the historical and ethnographic background of Dakota-white relations in Minnesota and place Wakefieldand#8217;s narrative in the context of other captivity narratives.
Synopsis
In 1862, Sarah F. Wakefield, a doctor's young wife with two small children, suddenly found herself caught up in the Dakota War in Minnesota. In a compelling voice, she relates the ordeal, particularly the heroism of the Mdewakanton Dakota named Chaska (WeChank-Wash-ta-don-pee), who protected Wakefield and her children during the upheaval only to be rewarded by the United States government with death by hanging. During ensuing investigations, Wakefield boldly held the government responsible for the war and its casualties.
June Namias's extensive introduction and notes describe the historical and ethnographic background of Dakota-White relations in Minnesota and place Wakefield's narrative within the context of other captivity narratives.
Synopsis
This is the first fully annotated modern edition of
Six Weeks in the Sioux Tepees. June Namiasandrsquo;s extensive introduction and notes describe the historical and ethnographic background of Dakota-white relations in Minnesota and place Wakefieldandrsquo;s narrative in the context of other captivity narratives.
About the Author
June Namias was associate professor of history at the University of Alaska Anchorage. Her publications include White Captives: Gender and Ethnicity on the AmericanFrontier, 1607-1862, and a new edition of Sarah F. Wakefieldandrsquo;s Six Weeks in the Sioux Tepees: A Narrative of Indian Captivity.