Summary
Author: Debby Dahl Edwardson (b. 1954)
First published: 2011
Type of work: Novel
Type of plot: Historical fiction
Time of plot: 1960–65
Locale: A remote area between Fairbanks and Anchorage, Alaska
Overview: Debby Dahl Edwardson's My Name is Not Easy offers a poignant exploration of identity, belonging, and resilience. Set in Alaska during the 1960s, the novel follows the lives of several young Native students grappling with challenges at a boarding school. Through their intertwined narratives, Edwardson sheds light on the broader cultural struggles faced by Alaska Natives during this era.
Principal Characters
Luke Aaluk, a twelve-year-old Iñupiaq boy
Bunna Aaluk, his younger brother
Amiq, the leader of the Eskimo students
Sonny, the leader of the Indian students
Chickie, a freckled, white girl
Donna, an orphan
Father Flanagan, a kind-hearted priest and teacher
Father Mullen, a strict priest and teacher, known for his boxing skills
The Story
My Name is Not Easy, highlighted by its recognition as a National Book Award finalist, delves into the upheaval experienced by Alaska Native communities in the early 1960s. The narrative starts with the Aaluk siblings—Luke, Bunna, and Isaac—being sent from their Arctic Circle home to the Sacred Heart School, a Catholic boarding school in Alaska. Entrusted with the care of his younger brothers, twelve-year-old Luke faces an unexpected blow when Isaac is deemed too young for the school and is taken away without warning or consent. This jarring separation leaves Luke and Bunna to navigate a world that feels alien, where their native language is forbidden and the food and religious practices are unfamiliar.
The initial days at Sacred Heart School see students naturally separating themselves based on ethnic lines, leading to distinct groups: Eskimos, Indians, and whites. Luke and Bunna become allies with Amiq, who, while aiding them, also exerts his dominance over them. Over time, Sonny, the Indian group's leader, emerges as a true friend. Chickie, a spirited white girl, and Donna, an orphan, also become significant figures in their lives. Although Luke primarily tells the story, the narrative is enriched by the perspectives of Amiq, Sonny, Chickie, and Donna, who share their individual challenges and triumphs.
The boarding school, set in a secluded area between Anchorage and Fairbanks, Alaska, is run by two priests and two nuns. Father Mullen's rigid disciplinarian ways often lead to physical punishment for those who defy him. Limited funding means the children must work to support the school. Luke and Bunna, for example, contribute by hunting and managing the aftermath of roadkill accidents. Additionally, the students participate in projects like refurbishing donated furniture and collecting Betty Crocker box tops in a bid to secure a new school bus.
Spanning five transformative years, the novel captures the evolving dynamics and relationships among the students. Initially divided by ethnic differences, they gradually forge bonds and come to depend on each other during difficult times. A particularly harrowing moment is when Bunna dies in a tragic plane crash, leaving Luke heartbroken. Moreover, Luke and his peers unwittingly become part of a military experiment. Ultimately, Luke's journey brings him back home, deepening his appreciation for his Iñupiaq heritage.
Critical Evaluation
At its core, My Name Is Not Easy is a profound exploration of identity. The protagonist, Luke, confronts this theme when he is pressured to adopt a new name, abandoning his authentic Iñupiaq identity because it is deemed "too difficult" to pronounce. Reflecting on this change, Luke muses over the significance of his name: "He doesn't know about my name, my Iñupiaq name. My real name is not Luke and...
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it's not easy, not at all." This struggle is compounded by the brothers' need to adjust to an environment that demands they relinquish their cultural identity, as encapsulated by Luke's recurring sentiment: "it's not easy." Father Flanagan's attempts to integrate them into the school community reveal Luke's deep-seated desire to stay true to himself, particularly when he retorts, "Listen, we're not even Catholic."
The novel also delves into the tensions between the Indian and Eskimo students. Initially, these groups remain separate, with Sonny and Amiq as their respective leaders. However, Chickie, who observes from a neutral perspective, reflects on the broader divisions: "This world doesn't have too many Eskimos. It has too many sides and too many closed doors and too many people who don't understand." Despite the school's efforts to foster unity, the expectation that these divisions can be entirely bridged is perhaps overly optimistic.
Family is another cornerstone of the narrative. Luke and Bunna's unwavering connection to their family roots remains a driving force throughout their journey. Luke's sense of duty towards his siblings propels the story forward, culminating in a poignant moment when he reaches out through a newspaper to uncover Isaac's whereabouts. The shared experience of familial loss binds the characters, with many having lost parents. Sonny and the Aaluk boys are fatherless, and Chickie and Amiq, too, have faced the death of their mothers. The harshness of their reality is counterbalanced by those who step forward to offer guidance and support.
In presenting these personal stories, My Name Is Not Easy also provides a window into the history of Alaska. The novel not only addresses the enforced boarding school attendance of Alaska Natives in the 1960s but also highlights significant environmental and political issues of the time. This includes Project Chariot, a controversial U.S. government initiative to use nuclear bombs to create an artificial harbor, and military experiments conducted on Arctic Circle residents. Additionally, the book incorporates the historical impact of an actual Alaskan earthquake.
Further Reading
- "My Writing." Debby Dahl Edwardson, www.debbydahledwardson.com/works.htm. Accessed 23 Feb. 2017.
- Edwardson, Debby Dahl. "My Name Is Not Easy." Interview by Eisa Nefertari Ulen. National Book Foundation, www.nationalbook.org/nba2011_ypl_edwardson_interv.html. Accessed 6 Mar. 2017.
- Edwardson, Debby Dahl. "Reading under the Midnight Sun: Implication of Worldview." The Horn Book Magazine, May/June 2009, pp. 261–66. Literary Reference Center, search.ebscohost.com/login.aspx?direct=true&db=lfh&AN=37925712&site=lrc-live. Accessed 23 Feb. 2017.
