Thinning Blood: A Memoir of Family, Myth, and Identity

Leah Myers' memoir Thinning Blood explores her family history, weaving in tribal folktales, the history of Native genocide, and the larger story of how her "culture is being bleached out." It is a bold reclamation of one woman's identity that raises urgent questions about heritage, family, and what it means to belong.

Format: Hardback
Length: 176 pages
Publication date: 23 May 2023
Publisher: WW Norton & Co

Leah Myers, a member of the Jamestown SKlallam Tribe, faces the possibility of being the last descendant in her family line due to the strict blood quantum laws enforced by her tribe. In this courageous and deeply personal memoir, Myers embarks on a mission to preserve her family's history by excavating the stories of four generations of women. Starting with her great-grandmother, the last full-blooded Native member in their lineage, Myers establishes a connection between each woman and her totem, creating a family totem pole that represents strength, resilience, compassion, and wisdom.

As Myers unravels the narratives of these women, she interweaves tribal folktales, the history of the Native genocide, and the broader narrative of cultural erosion. Through vivid vignettes, she shares her own experiences navigating the complexities of living between the White and Native worlds. Thinning Blood is a bold assertion of one woman's identity that sparks profound inquiries into heritage, family, and the essence of belonging.

This memoir offers a powerful testament to the resilience and determination of Indigenous women, as Myers reclaims her heritage and challenges the prevailing narratives surrounding identity and heritage. It serves as a reminder of the importance of preserving cultural traditions and the significance of understanding the complexities of intergenerational trauma.

Weight: 314g
Dimension: 218 x 147 x 20 (mm)
ISBN-13: 9781324036708