REZ DOG

Many people are unaware that dogs played central roles in many Indigenous societies across what is now known as North America. Dogs were sacred animals that held dual connections. They were seen as almost human yet their bond to the wild was understood, and they were spiritually linked to animals such as bears, foxes and coyotes. Dogs were integral members of many Indigenous communities as they aided in hunting food, carried belongings and were even trusted as caretakers for children and the elderly while the women gathered food. 

The term “Rez Dog” is synonymous with stray dogs that wander freely around reservations, but the phrase has also become an emblem of reservation life and its residences. 

The book Rez Dog emphasizes the importance of being kind to animals and follows the journey of a dog as he finds a loving home and a name.