Patrick DesJarlait was an artist who belonged to the Red Lake Chippewa Band (Anishinabe) of northern Minnesota. More than 20 years ago, Williams tape-recorded the interviews forming the basis for this book featuring DesJarlait's life and art, along with his comments about reservation life in the 1920s, boarding school, and his development as an artist. During World War II, he worked as a film animator for the U.S. Navy and had a short stint as the art director at a relocation camp where Japanese-Americans were held. His paintings employ bright, rich tones to portray the many traditions of his people. Although DesJarlait did not receive wide recognition or acclaim while alive, his career has inspired younger American Indian artists, and his paintings were pivotal in the development of contemporary American Indian art. (Ages 8-14)

Patrick DesJarlait was a well-known artist who devoted his talents to painting pictures of the lifeways of the Chippewa on Red Lake Indian Reservation in northern Minnesota. Growing up on the reservation, he spent much of his time observing and recording the customs and traditions of his people. DesJarlait's bright, stunning paintings catch the attention of everyone who sees them. Those who take a longer look are intrigued by the stories that the paintings tell. His works demonstrate in detail some of the traditional customs central to the Red Lake Chippewa way of life. In this book, Patrick DesJarlait relates the experiences of his life, revealing the inner thoughts and attitudes that helped shape his art.