On the Rez

On the Rez is a 2000 historical narrative of the Oglala Sioux Indians by American author and humorist Ian Frazier. Set in the modern day, it concerns the challenges faced by the Oglala people of Southwest North Dakota and their home, the Pine Ridge Reservation. Frazier articulates the day-to-day life of these modern American Indians, showing that they live with great dignity despite the haunting legacy of colonization and persecution. Moreover, Frazier illuminates how certain concepts at the root of the American identity, such as equality and freedom, draw partly from the philosophy of the Oglala people. The book has been praised as a humanizing and historically rigorous account of the survival of one of North America’s oldest nations.

On the Rez begins with an essay in which Frazier validates the American Indians for their deeply held beliefs on the principles of freedom and equality. He suggests that Indian reservations are the last vestiges of North America’s original identity, celebrating that the remaining tribes bravely resist the United States’ oppressive nationalist regime and other forces, such as globalization, that threaten to squelch their identity. He also praises their strong literary tradition, replete with spiritual journeys and heroic figures.

Frazier’s contact with the Oglala Sioux begins in New York, where he meets a member of the tribe, Le War Lance. They become fast friends, their bond lasting into old age. Le treats Frazier like family, including him in his close circle; through him, Frazier meets many other inspiring figures, such as Le’s friend Floyd John. They discuss many philosophical, cultural, and spiritual topics germane to both Western imperialist and American Indian traditions, including interesting contemporary topics such as Indian representation in Hollywood. Le is later incarcerated on a charge of driving under the influence of alcohol; when he is released, he moves to Pine Ridge, where he enjoys being surrounded by more of his people. Around the same time, Frazier moves his family to Montana. He visits Le at Pine Ridge and takes a trip to the tribal cemetery, where he learns about Le’s ancestors. The two old friends go on many excursions to important historical sites, including Wounded Knee, the location of one of the most brutal mass killings of Indians and, more recently, a place of protest against renewed American imperialism.



Frazier spends part of the book showing how colonists from Europe virtually oppressed every Indian tribe and that the legacy of the United States is fundamentally exploitative. He argues that the casino industry was one mechanism for economically subjugating the tribes: settlers were aware that Indians enjoyed gambling and used this knowledge to establish the casino industry that still operates today. Frazier claims that he identifies as Oglala, noting that many Indians choose their tribe without necessarily being born into it. Frazier also includes many transcripts of interviews he conducted while at Pine Ridge. Many of these interviews reveal that drugs and alcohol have made a negative impact on Indian culture. Frazier also tells the story of SuAnne Big Crow, a young basketball prodigy who tragically died in a car crash just before graduating from high school. SuAnne was equally known for her immense pride in the Oglala Sioux people; after her death, her mother established a rec center in her honor. At the end of On the Rez, Frazier concludes that the Pine Ridge Reservation has managed to remain mostly unchanged in its customs and values. He encourages his readers to support indigenous rights and to protect their land.