The Round House pre-Reading Research

The Round House pre-Reading Research

Before reading The Round House by Louise Erdrich students will research the author and elements of the Ojibwe
religion and culture, as well as issues of law and justice on Native American reservations.

Possible Resources:

 https://www.britannica.com/biography/Louise-Erdrich
 https://www.thoughtco.com/ojibwe-people-4797430
 https://www.legendsofamerica.com/mn-wendigo/
 https://www.aptn.ca/longmire/episode-guide/season-4/

The Author:
Louise Erdrich

1. Where 1. Wahpeton, North Dakota

has the
author 2. Louise Erdrich's childhood was influenced by her Native American heritage and
lived? upbringing. Her mother, who was of Ojibwe descent, taught her about their Indigenous culture
2. What and traditions. As a child, Erdrich spent summers on the Turtle Mountain Reservation in North
was the Dakota, where her mother's family lived. This experience connected her to the Ojibwe
author’s community and allowed her to immerse herself in their language, spirituality, and customs.
childhoo 3. Michael Dorris
d like?
3. Who is 4. Louise Erdrich has six children
the
author’s 5. Ojibwe beliefs
spouse?
4. How 6. Louise Erdrich was inspired to become a writer due to her deep connection to her Native
many American heritage and her desire to tell the untold stories of her people.
children
does the 7. Native American history and cultural preservation: Erdrich seeks to convey the rich and
author complex history, traditions, and beliefs of Native American communities. She aims to counter
have? stereotypes and misconceptions surrounding Native American culture and highlight its
5. What significance.
religion
does the 8.
author  She is of mixed heritage, with German-American ancestry from her father and
practice Ojibwe heritage from her mother.
?  Erdrich's Native American name is "Gizhiiginikwe," which means "woman who lives
6. What in the keyhole of the world."
prompte
d the
author to
become
a writer?
7. What
issues
does the
author
hope to
bring
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awarene
ss to?
8. What
other
interesti
ng
informat
ion did
you
discover
about
the
author?

The Ojibwa

1. Where 1. Their original territory is in the Great Lakes region, which spans parts of present-day
are the Ontario, Manitoba, Minnesota, Wisconsin, and Michigan.
Ojibwa 2. They have reservations in states such as Minnesota, Michigan, Wisconsin, and North
originall Dakota.
y from?
(original 3. Anishinaabe Creation Story: The Ojibwa have a creation story that forms the basis of their
territory belief system. According to the story, they were placed on Earth by the Creator and have a
) special responsibility to care for the land and all living beings
2. Where
are the
Ojibwa 4. Manitou: The Ojibwa believe in the existence of spiritual forces called manitou. These are
located considered spiritual beings that can influence and interact with the physical world. Manitou
today? can be found in natural elements such as rocks, trees, water, and animals.
(reservat
ion 5. The Wendigo is often depicted as a malevolent and cannibalistic spirit, associated with
location( winter, hunger, and madness. It is said to be an embodiment of greed, gluttony, and the
s)) uncontrolled desire for flesh. The Wendigo is often used as a cautionary tale, warning against
3. What the dangers of greed, selfishness, and the consumption of human flesh. In some beliefs,
are encounters with a Wendigo may result in possession or transformation into one, leading
elements individuals to commit acts of cannibalism.
of the
Ojibwa
culture?
(what
beliefs
or
practices
distingui
sh them
from
other
Native
cultures)
4. What
are
elements
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of the
Ojibwa
religion?
(what
what
beliefs
or
practices
distingui
sh them
from
other
Native
cultures)
5. What is
a
Wendig
o

The Law

1. Who has
Jurisdict all land within the limits of any Indian reservation under the jurisdiction
ion on a of the United States Government, notwithstanding the issuance of any
reservati patent, and, including rights-of-way running through the reservation, (b)
all dependent Indian communities within the borders of the United States
on –
whether within the original or subsequently acquired territory thereof,
read the
and whether within or without the limits of a State, and (c) all Indian
informat
allotments, the Indian titles to which have not been extinguished,
ion at including rights-of-way running through the same.
the
followin
g
website
https://w
ww.triba
l-
institute.
org/lists/
jurisdicti
on.htm
and list
or
describe
the
different
possibili
ties for
criminal
persecut
ion in
“Indian
Country.
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Star Trek the Next Generation

The novel, The Round House is set in 1988. Louise Erdrich titled the first chapter for the year of it’s setting, 1988.
Every chapter after chapter one is titled after an episode of Star Trek the Next Generation and parallels events /
characters. Look up the episode summary for each of the following.

Episodes can be found at: https://memory-alpha.fandom.com/wiki/Category:TNG_episodes in alphabetical order.

Chapter 2 –
Lonely Among In the Star Trek: The Next Generation episode "Lonely Among Us," the crew of the Enterprise-D picks
up two alien ambassadors, one of whom is an energy-based being. The being accidentally possesses the
Us
body of the ship's Chief Engineer, causing chaos onboard. As the being jumps from body to body, the
crew must find a way to stop it before their mission is compromised and lives are at risk. In the end,
Captain Picard successfully convinces the being to return to its original form, restoring order to the ship.

Chapter 3 –
Justice "Justice" is an episode from the television series Star Trek: The Next Generation. The crew of the USS
Enterprise-D visits a peaceful and idyllic planet called Rubicun III. This planet is governed by a strict
legal code and a "justice first" philosophy.

Chapter 4 – Loud
as a Whisper The episode revolves around a deaf ambassador named Riva, who is renowned for his
amazing ability to negotiate peace using a chorus of telepathically linked
"choriambic" actors. Riva visits the Enterprise-D with the hope of mediating a
conflict on the planet Solais V. However, tragedy strikes when an enemy assassin
kills Riva's choriambic chorus, leaving him unable to communicate and negotiate
effectively. The crew of the Enterprise-D must find a way to help Riva regain his
ability to communicate so he can fulfill his diplomatic mission. With the assistance of
a crew member named Troi, who can communicate telepathically, and Data, an
android with advanced abilities, they work together to train Riva in new ways of
conveying his thoughts and emotions. In the end, Riva successfully mediates peace on
Solais V, proving that communication can overcome any barrier. The episode
highlights the importance of understanding and accepting different forms of
communication, as well as the power of unity and cooperation in solving conflicts.
Chapter 5 – The The Next Generation episode "The Naked Now," the crew of the U.S.S. Enterprise encounters
Naked Now a mysterious intoxication that causes them to act out of character. The infection spreads
quickly, affecting both the humans and the android, Data.

Chapter 6 – In this episode, the crew of the USS Enterprise encounters a mysterious planet called Omicron
Datalore Theta. They discover an android named Data, who is revealed to have an identical twin called
Lore. Lore is more advanced than Data and has the ability to feel emotions. Lore tricks the
crew, pretending to be Data, and causes chaos on the ship. Eventually, Lore's true identity is
revealed and he is defeated. The episode explores the themes of identity, trust, and the
responsibility of creating artificial life.
Chapter 7 – The crew of the USS Enterprise-D visits the planet Angel One, where a matriarchal society is
Angel One ruled by women. The planet's leader, Beata, conducts the investigation of an escape pod crash.
Among the survivors is Riker's former lover, who has been living on the planet for years. The
crew faces cultural differences as they try to negotiate the return of the survivors and maintain
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diplomatic relations. Ultimately, they successfully resolve the situation and leave the planet.
Chapter 8 – Hide In this episode, the crew of the starship Enterprise encounters Q, a omnipotent being with the
and Q ability to manipulate reality. Q offers Commander Riker the chance to become a Q himself,
granting him godlike powers. Riker initially enjoys his newfound abilities, but soon realizes
the consequences of playing god. With the help of Captain Picard and the crew, Riker
manages to resist the temptation and rejects Q's offer. The episode explores themes of power,
responsibility, and the value of humanity.
Chapter 9 – The In this episode, the crew of the starship Enterprise is transported onto a holodeck program set
Big Good-bye in 1941 Earth. Captain Jean-Luc Picard, Lieutenant Commander Data, and Lieutenant Worf
immerse themselves in the program, which simulates the ambiance of a noir detective story.

Chapter 10 – In this episode, while the crew of the starship Enterprise is on a mission to rescue a stranded
Skin of Evil ship's crew, they encounter a malevolent entity known as Armus. This black, oily creature
possesses the ability to manipulate and control matter.

Chapter 11 – The The episode follows the crew of the USS Enterprise as they encounter an unknown energy
Child force that impregnates Counselor Troi, resulting in the rapid growth of a child. The crew must
navigate the ethical and emotional complexities of the situation as they attempt to understand
and resolve the unique circumstances surrounding the child's existence. Ultimately, the
episode explores themes of motherhood, sacrifice, and the consequences of encountering
unknown phenomena in space.

Longmire

The series “Longmire” can be streamed on Netflix. In season 4 starting with episode 6 a similar situation as in the
novel The Round House happens to a Cheyenne Woman named Gabriella Langton. Research the Episode
Summary for episodes 6-10

Episode 6 — The Sheriff Walt Longmire receives a call from a former criminal informant named Cowboy Bill
Calling Back who claims to have important information about a murder case. Suspicious but intrigued, Walt
decides to meet with Cowboy Bill.

Episode 7 — Sheriff Walt Longmire investigates a string of robberies on the highway that runs through his
Highway jurisdiction. As he digs deeper, Walt discovers that the robbers are targeting specific trucks
Robbery carrying valuable cargo. With the help of his deputies, Vic and Branch, Walt uncovers a
complex plot involving corrupt truck drivers who are being forced into the robberies by an
organized crime syndicate. In the end, Walt is able to catch the criminals and bring them to
justice, restoring safety and security on the highway.

Episode 8 — Sheriff Walt Longmire, investigates the mysterious death of a local man named Hector. The
Hector Lives episode begins with Longmire and his deputy, Vic, arriving at the crime scene, which appears
to be a hit-and-run accident. However, Longmire soon discovers evidence suggesting foul
play.

Episode 9 — Deputy Sheriff Vic Moretti is called to investigate a suspicious incident at a remote cabin. A
Shotgun man claims that he discovered a shotgun in his basement that he believes belongs to his
estranged wife, who had recently disappeared. As Vic digs deeper into the case, she uncovers a
tangled web of deceit and secrets surrounding the missing woman. With the help of Sheriff
Walt Longmire, they must unravel the truth and find the connections between the shotgun, the
mysterious disappearance, and the people involved. Along the way, they encounter unexpected
twists and turns that lead them to a shocking revelation.
Episode 10 — Sheriff Walt Longmire investigates a murder that occurs on the reservation. He encounters
What Happens on tensions between the local Native American community and the neighboring white

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the Rez… community, all while trying to uncover the truth behind the crime. Along the way, Longmire
uncovers secrets and faces challenges that test his resolve and commitment to justice.

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