Regina Petitâs family has always been Umpqua, and living on the Grand Ronde Tribeâs reservation is all ten-year-old Regina has ever known. Her biggest worry is that Sasquatch may actually exist out in the forest. But when the federal government enacts a law that says
Reginaâs tribe no longer exists, Regina becomes âIndian no moreâ overnightâeven though she lives with her tribe and practices tribal customs, and even though her ancestors were Indian for countless generations.
Now that theyâve been forced from their homeland, Reginaâs father signs the family up for the federal Indian Relocation Program and moves them to Los Angeles. Regina finds a whole new world in her neighborhood on 58th Place. Sheâs never met kids of other races, and
theyâve never met a real Indian. For the first time in her life, Regina comes face to face with the viciousness of racism, personally and toward her new friends.
Meanwhile, her father believes that if he works hard, their family will be treated just like white Americans. But itâs not that easy. Itâs 1957 during the Civil Rights era, and the family struggles without their tribal community and land. At least Regina has her grandmother, Chich, and
her stories. At least they are all together.
In this moving middle-grade novel drawing upon Umpqua author Charlene Willing McManisâs own tribal history, Regina must find out: Who is Regina Petit? Is she Indian, American, or both? And will she and her family ever be okay?