Four months after I discovered Encounter, I spoke to Beverly Slapin, executive director of Oyate. Oyate is a non-profit, educational organization composed of Native Elders, artists, activists, educators, and writers who have come together to bring the real histories of the indigenous peoples of this hemisphere to the attention of all Americans. Oyate had seen Encounter, too and after five minutes of hearing their perspectives, my belief system was completely shattered. Jane Yolen may believe she is visioning through the eyes of a Taino boy, but the feelings she attributes to him run counter to Taino society. This makes the story gain power, but it's based on a European, not Indian model of society.
Indian society is built on mutual respect .
It's a European concept that children should be seen and not heard. Yolen's word choices are another slap in the face. Encounter may have been well-intended, but I wonder why it wasn't reviewed before publication by someone at least familiar with the culture. Its half-truths make it more insidious than books that have obvious misrepresentations. This is a resource for parents and teachers who, like me, have enough awareness to realize they don't know what's truely authentic.