Cathy Coats, author of To Banish Forever: A Secret Society, the Ho-Chunk, and Ethnic Cleansing in Minnesota
Emilie Buchwald Award for Minnesota Nonfiction Category, sponsored by Annette and John Whaley
Each week leading up to the 37th annual Minnesota Book Awards, we are featuring exclusive interviews with our finalists. You can also watch the authors in conversation with their fellow category finalists here.
What inspired you to write this book – or inspired you while writing it?
I wrote this book in the hopes to encourage truth telling in Minnesota history. It is time to engage in difficult conversations about how the state was built and at what cost. Many people were taught that Minnesota was on the “good” side of history during the U.S. Civil War. But the reality is that white supremacy and violence was not just a Southern peculiarity. Just like in the South, men in Minnesota formed hate groups and took control of local governments to maintain their systems of oppression.
What is one detail you wanted to include in this book, but couldn’t find a place for?
There are two details I wish could have found their way into the book. First, a map of the land purchases of Sheldon Barney would have affected readers more than the one I included. He was not a confirmed member of the hate group, but his brother was a proud member. I suspect that Sheldon was the leader of the group. A map showing his purchases would have shown a blackout of nearly all the reservation lands. I also regret that Henry Rice is not adequately shown to be the scoundrel that he was. His presence in Minnesota history is always shady and filled with cash grabbing. This book, that exposes the Minnesota men who targeted Ho-Chunk people, should have better showcased Henry Rice, who traded with them for years.
Tell us about someone (whose name isn’t on the cover!) who proved instrumental to the creation of this book.
There are so many people. But no one matched the determination of Ann Regan, who provided countless hours, thought, and effort into this book. She went far beyond what was required of a book editor. She was essential to unpacking my research and interpretation as well as repackaging them for a wider audience. This book is a success because I was fortunate to be among the last authors to work with her before retirement.
Please tell us something about yourself that is not widely known. (It doesn’t have to be about the book in question – or even about your writing at all!)
One fateful visit to the local Humane Society with my kids for a Trunk or Treat event ended with the adoption of our guinea pig, Frito. After researching guinea pig care, we discovered that these animals live their best lives in pairs or more. Soon our family adopted a second guinea pig, then a third. The next thing we knew, we were volunteering to foster guinea pigs for the local guinea pig rescue. It has been a rewarding adventure for all of us.
Share your thoughts about the role and value of libraries.
Libraries are a vital public service. They provide equal access to information resources for all people in all places as well as acting as community knowledge centers and gathering spaces. Libraries have been a lifeline for so many people in so many ways and will continue to be a safe and welcoming place for generations to come.
Cathy Coats is the metadata specialist at the University of Minnesota Libraries. She previously worked at the James W. Miller Learning Resources Center at St. Cloud State University.