Not Far Away: The Real-life Adventures of Ima Pipiig

(Paperback)

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In Not Far Away, a semi-fictional memoir, Lois Beardslee gives a chilling acount of racism, particularly that leveled against Native women, in language that is supple, evocative, often comical, and always incisive. Her fictional heroine, the teacher Ima Pipiig (pronounced "buh-BEEG"), endures humiliating insults from school administrators, fellow teachers, students, and callous neighbors. For years, she suffers in silence, believing that opposing bigotry would only fuel its caustic flamesbut then she begins to speak out. Scattered among the chapters chronicling Ima's experiences are essays and speeches written by the author herself, blurring the line between fiction and fact and creating a kind of resounding echo of resistance that is the author's response to racism.

Reviews

Once again Lois Beardslee goes right to the heart, both figuratively and pointedly. Through her own voice and experiences, and through that of her semi-fictional, semi-autobiographical alter-ego, Ima Pipiig, she effectively makes abundantly clear the many forms that racism takes, permeating social institutions and every aspect of our daily lives. Her words, carefully considered, yet straight from the wounds of experience, speak powerfully to Native and non-Native readers alike. This book is highly recommended to the general reader and to every student seriously seeking insights into contemporary American society. -- Susan Lobo, University of Arizona
Lois Beardslee, notable scholar, storyteller, artist, philosopher, and writer, brings us Ima Pipiig, who brings us clarity in contemporary aboriginal living. The journey Ima Pipiig speaks of is the journey of reason, the journey of the just cause, the journey of Indigenous Northern Michigan. Ima Pipiig speaks of freedom at long last. She calls upon the mainstream to take the Indians of Sleeping Bear seriously; she calls on all of us to doubt the message of the mainstream until that stream converges and runs clear for all past generations and for all coming generations. Not Far Away calls upon us to renew, reclaim, and reinvigorate our place in the world. Lois Beardslee gives us ourselves in Ima Pipiig and Ima brings us home. -- Allison Hedge Coke, professor of poetry and creative wriitng, University of Nebraska, Kearney
Told in alternating voicesthe authors and that of her fictional protagonist, Ima PipiigNot Far Away deals with the issues of racism, poverty, and struggles over the remaining natural resources in the Northern Great Lakes as well as access to public lands, jobs, education, and even social comfort. Unlike other scholars whose works emphasize individual responsibility for racism and environmental degradation, Beardslee unflinchingly points her finger directly at the educational system that willingly participates in the racist practices of Americas heartland. Not Far Away appeals to educators and students of higher education, multiculturalism, womens studies, Native American studies, sociology, contemporary literatureand anyone else who is interested in understanding racism and ending it. -- Beverly Slapin, Oyate

Author Bio

Lois Beardslee is the author of Rachel's Children (2004), a novel about the Ojibwe of northern Michigan, and the essay collection Lies to Live By (2003). She is an instructor in communications at Northwestern Michigan College and an Ojibwe artist whose works are in public and private collections around the world.