Raising Ourselves: A Gwich'in Coming of Age Story from the Yukon River

The once-migratory family has settled at the confluence of two rivers, surrendering much of their language, culture, and religion to white teachers, traders, and missionaries. A knot of silent pain remains from flu epidemics that claimed many loved ones. There is much drinking when the monthly government checks arrive. That is when the pain comes out of hiding.

When Velma Wallis is twelve, her father dies. She and her siblings fend for themselves as their mother descends into depression and alcoholism. Velma follows her own path, a journey of persistence, recovery, reconciliation, and ultimately of finding her own strength.