You're Disenrolled
The Passage Rouge Indian reservation in Wisconsin is holding an election in a few days. The narrator, Mitch Caddo, is the campaign manager for Tribal President Mack Beck and also the brains behind his administration. Mack is facing a strong challenge from Gloria Hawkins, a well-known "Indian county celebrity." As the election nears, Mack resorts to some unscrupulous tactics, putting Mitch in a moral dilemma.
Mack and Mitch have been tight since childhood and they each have strengths that complement the other. Mitch describes Mack as ceremonial and focused on appearances, "He is the look," while Mitch sees himself as the one with substance. Mack is seen as a true fixture on the reservation, whereas Mitch left to earn a law degree from Cornell. Mack is seen as authentic, while Mitch has been called a "J. Crew Indian," implying that he is a preppy and assimilated version of a Native American, one poised to drift away in time.
Early on we see that Mitch is no saint, either. Guilt and a sense of fair play do not prevent him from using bogus Facebook accounts to anonymously question Gloria's bloodlines and tribal enrollment status. Just planting these seeds of doubt regarding her identity could sway a few dozen votes.
The Tribal Council has the power to banish, to "disenroll" individuals from the reservation, such as criminals and drug dealers. On the eve of the election, Mack leverages his influence over the council to banish Gloria's primary financier, Joe Beck. He sees this action eliminating Gloria's influence from the reservation.
The novel's story takes place in a tight-knit community with approximately 5,000 people. The close relationships between characters, such as Joe Beck who mentored Mitch and adopted Mack and Layla, add complexity and intensity to the plot. The suspense is further heightened by the romantic history between Layla and Mitch, which remains unresolved. Despite the intricate web of relationships, they are clearly defined and contribute to the overall tension of the narrative.
So, there is romance, political corruption, riots, and a plot-changing tragic death all within a tight six-day window, with the election providing a deadline to the plot. Even with flashbacks, things move at a brisk pace. Most of the characters are pretty well-defined. Mack, in particular, is striking in his audacity. He just believes he can rise above the consequences his actions are going to result in... or that Mitch will find a way to bail him out.
Mitch is the flaw here. He knows Mack is incompetent, he still backs him. He backs an unethical administration, one that even renders him disposable at one point. He knows he is not the man Joe hoped he would be and not the man Layla believed him to be. He is not even sure how "Indian" he is or should be. While Mitch cannot find his identity, the surrounding characters overshadow our narrator.
While the election circus frames "Big Chief," the text explores the concept of identity. Can the candidate Gloria lay claim to reservation membership? Is Mitch a res Indian or that J. Crew Indian? The idea is challenged that blood quantum or council decisions can determine belonging and inclusion. We are looking at a community tearing itself apart.
"Big Chief" is a fascinating look at an aspect of reservation life I had never considered. This is a fictitious reservation and set of circumstancesâ and the less said about any reckless and ruthless politicians...
I received an advance review copy for free, and I am leaving this review voluntarily.
The Passage Rouge Indian reservation in Wisconsin is holding an election in a few days. The narrator, Mitch Caddo, is the campaign manager for Tribal President Mack Beck and also the brains behind his administration. Mack is facing a strong challenge from Gloria Hawkins, a well-known "Indian county celebrity." As the election nears, Mack resorts to some unscrupulous tactics, putting Mitch in a moral dilemma.
Mack and Mitch have been tight since childhood and they each have strengths that complement the other. Mitch describes Mack as ceremonial and focused on appearances, "He is the look," while Mitch sees himself as the one with substance. Mack is seen as a true fixture on the reservation, whereas Mitch left to earn a law degree from Cornell. Mack is seen as authentic, while Mitch has been called a "J. Crew Indian," implying that he is a preppy and assimilated version of a Native American, one poised to drift away in time.
Early on we see that Mitch is no saint, either. Guilt and a sense of fair play do not prevent him from using bogus Facebook accounts to anonymously question Gloria's bloodlines and tribal enrollment status. Just planting these seeds of doubt regarding her identity could sway a few dozen votes.
The Tribal Council has the power to banish, to "disenroll" individuals from the reservation, such as criminals and drug dealers. On the eve of the election, Mack leverages his influence over the council to banish Gloria's primary financier, Joe Beck. He sees this action eliminating Gloria's influence from the reservation.
The novel's story takes place in a tight-knit community with approximately 5,000 people. The close relationships between characters, such as Joe Beck who mentored Mitch and adopted Mack and Layla, add complexity and intensity to the plot. The suspense is further heightened by the romantic history between Layla and Mitch, which remains unresolved. Despite the intricate web of relationships, they are clearly defined and contribute to the overall tension of the narrative.
So, there is romance, political corruption, riots, and a plot-changing tragic death all within a tight six-day window, with the election providing a deadline to the plot. Even with flashbacks, things move at a brisk pace. Most of the characters are pretty well-defined. Mack, in particular, is striking in his audacity. He just believes he can rise above the consequences his actions are going to result in... or that Mitch will find a way to bail him out.
Mitch is the flaw here. He knows Mack is incompetent, he still backs him. He backs an unethical administration, one that even renders him disposable at one point. He knows he is not the man Joe hoped he would be and not the man Layla believed him to be. He is not even sure how "Indian" he is or should be. While Mitch cannot find his identity, the surrounding characters overshadow our narrator.
While the election circus frames "Big Chief," the text explores the concept of identity. Can the candidate Gloria lay claim to reservation membership? Is Mitch a res Indian or that J. Crew Indian? The idea is challenged that blood quantum or council decisions can determine belonging and inclusion. We are looking at a community tearing itself apart.
"Big Chief" is a fascinating look at an aspect of reservation life I had never considered. This is a fictitious reservation and set of circumstancesâ and the less said about any reckless and ruthless politicians...
I received an advance review copy for free, and I am leaving this review voluntarily.
