Iron Lake

ACKNOWLEDGMENTS

I’m not sure anyone writes a book alone. I didn’t. A lot of good people deserve my thanks for the help they’ve given me along the way.

First and foremost, thanks to the members of Crème de la Crime who never let an easy answer slide: Carl Brookins, Betty James, Michael Kac, Joan Loshek, Jean Miriam Paul, Betsey Rhame, Susan Runholt, and Anne B. Webb. A better group of writers, critics, and friends of the genre would be hard to find.

Thanks also to two very special people who shared with me their insights on the Anishinaabe people: Barbara Briseno of the Mille Lacs Band of Ojibwe, who offered not only her knowledge but also her astute editorial eye; and Alex Ghebregzi, a “Southern Shinnob,” whose knowledge of the Ojibwe language and culture has been invaluable, and whose fierce passion for justice for all indigenous peoples of the world has been inspiring.

I owe much to those who’ve chronicled the Anishinaabe culture, past and present: William Warren and Francis Densmore, early ethnographers; Gerald Vizenor, whose own writing is as beautiful as the Ojibwe tales he relates; and Basil Johnson for his reverential rendering of the ceremonies of the Anishinaabeg. The language of the Ojibwe is one of the most difficult on earth. In most cases, I have relied on An Ojibwe Word Resource Book, edited by John Nichols and Earl Nyholm, as the authority for spellings and meanings.

To those unselfish friends who helped bring this manuscript into the computer age, I owe an abiding debt of gratitude: LuJean Huffman-Nordberg, Debra McDonald, Kaye O’Geay, and Cheryl Madsen. A special thanks to Wendy McCormick who understands the rhythm of words better than anyone I know, and to Cheryl Gfrerer whose help in trimming the fat was invaluable.

Thanks to my agent Jane Jordan Browne and to her associates Katy Holmgren and Danielle Egan-Miller for their advice and guidance in so many ways. Thanks also to my editor Dave Stern whose enthusiasm has been a blessing.

Finally, I would like to thank Jimmy Theros and the entire staff of the St. Clair Broiler where most of this manuscript was written. A good place for coffee, a great place to write.

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