Tracks (1988) introduces readers to a vividly imagined world, setting the stage for a tetralogy that intricately weaves together the lives of the Anishinabe people from the fictional locale of Matchimanito. This narrative journey, inspired by the real White Earth Reservation in North Dakota, continues through The Beet Queen (1986) and Love Medicine (1984). The novels collectively form a sprawling family saga, with characters bound by a complex web of marriages and personal liaisons. The use of multiple narrators, each bringing their unique perspective, allows the series to function as a richly textured archive, capturing the intersecting and diverging destinies of Native Americans.

Matchimanito is not merely a fictional backdrop; it represents a deeply significant cultural and historical landscape. Like William Faulkner’s renowned Yoknapatawpha County, the world of Matchimanito serves as a canvas where histories are rediscovered, explored, and reinterpreted. The myths and legends of the Anishinabe people breathe life into this imagined space, providing a profound commentary on their enduring cultural identity.

At the heart of Tracks lies a poignant historical narrative centered on the dispossession of native land and its haunting aftermath. As described by Louise Erdrich and Michael Dorris in their 1988 article, “Who Owns the Land?,” the Anishinabe tribe was left with a mere 53,100 out of the original 830,000 acres promised to them. This stark reality underscores the grim conditions faced by the inhabitants of the White Earth Reservation, the real-world counterpart to Matchimanito. The narrative reflects the historical injustices inflicted upon the Anishinabe and highlights the conflicts—both intercultural and internal—that arose from the legal machinations of the United States government.

While Louise Erdrich's work is celebrated for its rich storytelling, it is also a vehicle for capturing collective memory. Although she eschews overt moralization, the novel's exploration of history leaves a clear imprint. Through its polyphonic voice and intricate character relationships, Tracks invites readers to trace these enduring "tracks" of memory and identity, offering a space for reflection on both historical injustices and cultural resilience.