Waterlily by Ella Cara Deloria

At the same time, Ms. Deloria, because of her linguistic and creative abilities, weaves a compelling narrative replete with strong characters, a flowing plot, and instructive lessons. Waterlily is a magnificent story that teaches us how to respect one another and all of the life on earth. Its value derives not only from its thoughtful and lucid analysis of kinship relationships among the Dakota Sioux but also from the lessons it delivers for respectful living. Curiously and largely unknown to us, the Dakota Sioux in the early nineteenth century lived a life of great balance, reverence, respect, and harmony with nature. The events portrayed in Waterlily, fundamental to living an ordered and honorable life, provide lessons that all people should seriously consider. This is a text rich in ethical analysis; by observing the kinship relationships and way of life of the Dakota Sioux, we are provided with a superb primer in the ethical life.
             Waterlily describes the life of a Dakota woman (Waterlily) carrying her from birth to marriage, to the death of her first husband, and then to her marriage to a second virtuous Dakota man. The story flows full circle. At the end of the novel, the young mother, Waterlily, gives birth to her daughter "Mitawa ("My Own "). All along the way, we learn about the finely attuned, purposeful, and virtually perfectly ordered life of the Dakota because of one major institution "elaborate, powerful, and appropriate kinship rules and relationships. The Dakota life may not be perfect, but the order and appropriateness of their lives and the ways in which their lives are conducted certainly seem to be about as optimal as it gets. Again, the sine qua non, the foundation of all of this revolves around elaborate kinship relationships, which create unity, solidarity, and common goals among the people of the kinship circle. There are profound lessons to be learned from this careful analysis of Dakota Sioux life by a Boas-trained anthropologist.