| Something I Said - Marcie Rendon Dwight Hobbes | | | | the Wisconsin Library Association Outstanding |
| Mpls/St. Paul Magazine archives "I try to create a | | | | Book Award). And there are awards, including the |
| mirror for native people. A lot of writers attempt | | | | l998–1999 St. Paul Company's Leadership in |
| to explain native culture to non-natives [instead | | | | Neighborhoods (LIN) award and a Playwrights |
| of] creating" a picture of ourselves for ourselves", | | | | Center/Jerome Fellowship in 1997. She has |
| says author-playwright Marcie Rendon (White | | | | published articles in the Minneapolis StarTribune, St. |
| Earth Anishinabe). "The idea that we no longer | | | | Paul Pioneer Press, Minnesota Women's Press and |
| exist is so prevalent. To the point that we | | | | Native American monthly The Circle. Part of her |
| sometimes doubt our existence [and] become | | | | imperative is to empower \other voices. |
| ‘invisibilized' to ourselves. I hope to hold out a | | | | Accordingly, she founded the ensemble Raving |
| present day reality." Said hope rests in | | | | Natives Theatre to employ other native authors, |
| accomplished hands. Rendon's drama, SongCatcher | | | | directors, actors and technicians. And has |
| premiered at The Great American Theater (1998) | | | | mentored at The Playwrights Center, SASE: the |
| and, in 2003, appeared in the anthology "Morning | | | | Write Place and Intermedia Arts. Spotting her in, |
| Star: An Anthology of Native Women's Theater" | | | | say, a theatre lobby, "playwright" doesn't come |
| (UCLA American Indian Studies Center). It looks | | | | straight to mind. More like "biker chick" – with |
| at 1800s anthropologist Frances Densmore's study | | | | her lustrous mien of black hair, short leather |
| of Indians – through a cultural lens, the lives of | | | | jacket, snug jeans and long boots. In fact, she |
| a contemporary native couple. Her award-winning | | | | loves few things more than hunching over a pool |
| children's book Pow wow Summer | | | | table with a cue stick. Wherever she is, whatever |
| (Carolrhoda-1996) authentically conveys the | | | | she's doing, there's usually a wizened gaze and a |
| ceremony – debunking whooping, | | | | warm smile. An enrolled member of the White |
| head-bobbing pre-Dances With Wolves | | | | Earth Reservation, she grew up rural areas of |
| stereotypes. Marcie reflects, "When my grandson | | | | northern Minnesota surrounding White Earth and |
| says ‘We're not real Indians because real | | | | holds an MA degree from St. Mary's of Winona |
| Indians wear feathers, you know something still is | | | | – Minneapolis. At 53, she has three grown |
| not right. Native people need to hold out to | | | | daughters, Rachael, Awanewquay and Simone, |
| ourselves and our children that we exist." From | | | | who acts at Raving Natives Theatre. Based in |
| 1996 through 2003 her satires Free Fry Bread | | | | Minneapolis, Marcie's often on the road, speaking |
| (Minnesota Fringe Festival, Bryant Lake Theatre), | | | | and leading workshops in Canada and around the |
| As the Spiritual World Turns (Patrick's Cabaret) | | | | U.S. Next up, she's published this month in "Traces |
| and Urban Rez (Eye of the Storm Theatre) were | | | | in Blood, Bone, and Stone: Contemporary Ojibwe |
| produced. As was her play Sacagawea, chronicling | | | | Poetry" (Loonfeather Press). What does she do |
| the historic Lewis & Clark Expedition scout | | | | in-between projects that pay her mortgage? "You |
| (Fargo-Moorhead Community Theatre). The | | | | mean", she says, "besides stay in bed and pull the |
| Farmer's Market: Families Working Together | | | | covers over my head? |
| (CarolRhoda-2001) and Pow wow Summer won | | | | |