Walking the Rez Road

Luke Warmwater is a Vietnam veteran who made it through the war only to find that "surviving the peace" is its own kind of battle. Back home on the "rez," where the cars are rusty and the pockets are often empty, Luke navigates a world of bingo halls, tribal politics, and the enduring pull of tradition.

Through forty interconnected stories and poems, Jim Northrup captures the heartbeat of modern Anishinaabe life. With a sharp eye for detail and a voice that is both raw and lyrical, Northrup blends the devastation of the past with a resilient, rebellious humor. This is a journey through the "land of sky-blue waters" that reveals the profound strength found in family, community, and the power of a well-told story.

Jim Northrup is an award-winning journalist, poet, and playwright. He is a combat Vietnam veteran serving with India Company, 3rd Battalion, 9th Marines, 3rd Marine Division in-country from September of 1965 until September of 1966. His syndicated column, Fond du Lac Follies, was named Best Column at the 1999 Native American Journalists Association convention, and he holds an honorary doctorate of letters from Fond du Lac Tribal and Community College. His previous books include Rez Salute: The Real Healer Dealer, which received Honorable Mention from the 2013 Northeastern Minnesota Book Awards, and Walking the Rez Road: Stories, winner of the Midwest Book Achievement Award, Minnesota Book Award, and Northeastern Minnesota Book Award. He lives in Sawyer, MN.