FROM THE ARCHIVE
Author hopes memoir will bring change
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FRIDAY, OCTOBER 25, 2002

"Raising Ourselves -- A Gwich'in Coming-of-Age Story From the Yukon River" is a new book by Alaska Native author Velma Wallis.

The book describes how Wallis was forced to drop out of school at age 13 to care for her younger siblings because of her parent's alcoholism. Gradually, other brothers and sisters -- there were 13 in all -- began drinking and so did Wallis.

She hopes her story will force Natives to address alcohol abuse and domestic violence.

Get the Story:
Looking at ourselves (The Anchorage Daily News 10/25)
Author finds healing through telling stories from childhood (The Anchorage Daily News 10/25)

Books by Velma Wallis:
Raising Ourselves: A Gwich'in Coming of Age Story from the Yukon River (US$13.97)
Two Old Women: An Alaska Legend of Betrayal, Courage and Survival (US$8.80)
Bird Girl and the Man Who Followed the Sun: An Athabaskan Legend from Alaska River (US$10.36)