Where Courage Is Like a Wild Horse: The World of an Indian Orphanage

by Manny Skolnick and Sharon Skolnick (Okee-Chee)

The dreams of a courageous Apache girl illuminate the hidden world of an Indian orphanage in this unforgettable story. Over forty years ago, Sharon Skolnick (Okee-Chee) and her sisters were removed from their Apache parents and became wards of the state of Oklahoma. She and her nearest sister made their way together through the Oklahoma Indian child welfare system. Shuttled back and forth between foster homes and orphanages, they finally ended up...

• Format: Hardcover
• Language: English
• ISBN: 0803242638
• ISBN13: 9780803242630
• Release Date: October 1997
• Publisher: University of Nebraska Press
• Length: 148 Pages
• Weight: 0.91 lbs.
• Dimensions: 0.9" x 6.0" x 8.0"

Customer Reviews

An extraordinary look at an Indian orphanage in the 50's.

As wards of the state of Oklahoma, Linda Lakoe (Okee-Chee) and her sister Jackie arrive at the predominately indian Murrow orphanage. As Apaches, they are met with suspicion, fear, and aggression from the other children. Linda struggles to become respected by the others, while Jackie, the younger of the two focuses on finding the adoptive family she has never known. The book depicts their year together at the orphanage, and the challenges that they endure as orphans, and as sisters with different goals. Linda finds comfort and meaning as an aspiring artist, while her younger sister can only find such comfort with the prospect of having a mother. This is one of the most tear-jerking, thought provoking books I have read in recent years. It depicts a journey of self realization and discovery. Linda's self discovery, brought on by her prospective adoptive mother, is thrilling and uplifting - provoking anyone who reads it to believe that no matter what, there is always a mother figure in life who can make right, teach, nurture and provide a basis to understand one's own culture. The entire book consists of chapters that begin with dream like narrations - An excellent method of recalling what should be, and probably are shady memories of a past that is understandably blurry. Still, this is one of the best books I've read so far... I would highly recommend it to anyone - especially those who have interest in learning about native american identity in the 20th century.

Brings back the insighful imagination of a child....

This book helped bring back my inner child and rediscover the relationship I had with the earth as a child. Remarkable insight was present in the author when she described her past.