Drums Of Change

DRUMS OF CHANGE
Janette Oke
Bethany House. 1996. 235 p. Romance

Taking place in Canada during the late 1800’s, Drums of Change by Janette Oke, is the coming of age story of Running Fawn. Running Fawn desperately clings to the “traditional” ways of her people wishing things never to change. But the white settlers are arriving, the buffalo are disappearing as well as the Blackfoot’s way of life and then horrible sickness decimates their small band. To make matters worse, a white missionary comes to live with the band and wants to teach them a new religion (Christianity). “Haven’t their Gods provided for them in past generations?” asks Running Fawn. Running Fawn, along with Silver Fox, the chief’s son, are picked to go to the mission school in Calgary to learn the white man’s ways. Silver Fox wants to learn so he can someday lead his people wisely. Running Fawn does not enjoy the experience. She is constantly in inner turmoil with the new and old ways, leaving her feeling she doesn’t fully belong to either. While the story- line is not particularly riveting, it does make one ponder about the hardships, tragedies and multitude of adjustments the Native Americans had to endure. This is a squeaky clean easy to read book that women interested in the west and Native American life, may enjoy. It is #12 in the “Women of the West Series.” I listened to the unabridged 7.5 hour Recorded Books version with an excellent reading by Barbara Caruso.

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