Most people know of the Apache Wars only through Hollywood westerns, or books from the white perspective. They ignore the evil perpetrated on the Apache by white men. Indeh tells the story from the Apache point of view, from the massacre of Geronimo's entire family to his surrender. This is not a story of good against evil, but of a conflict brought on by horrific racism, greed, loss, revenge, and a desperate struggle to survive.
There's always a danger that a book like this could be seen as appropriating a story that is someone else's to tell. In an afterword, the author, Ethan Hawke, acknowledges this, but says, "my heart felt compelled to tell it."
Ruth's art is beautiful and realistic, and the monochromatic pallet suits the sombre subject. They have done an admirable job, and the book is endorsed in a forward by Douglas Miles, Sr., an Apache.
The graphic novel comes from Inhabit Media, Inc., an Inuit-owned publishing company dedicated to bringing Inuit stories and culture to the world; and it's obvious that a lot of love and effort went into this book. It is gorgeous.
Touching Spirit Bear by Ben Mikaelsen
In 1803, John Jewitt found himself a lonely survivor of the ship named Boston after the local Mowachaht First Nation massacred the crew. They make John identify the decapitated heads of his crew mates, then take him as a slave because of his skills as a blacksmith. For three years, John lived with the Mowachaht, keeping a secret diary of his time, adventures, and numerous brushes with death there. This graphic novel is based on his written account.