Coyote's Swing

In Coyote’s Swing, David Edward Walker delves into the experiences of a Native foster youth navigating the U.S. mental health system, as she seeks a new diagnosis to change her medication regimen. The narrative critiques how contemporary practices within the Indian Health Service reflect historical injustices, framing Native responses to oppression as mental disorders. Walker weaves his firsthand experience as a psychologist with a traditional Yakama tale, illuminating the ongoing impact of Western mental health ideologies on Native lives and culture over the past 150 years. Through this exploration, he underscores the need for a reevaluation of care that honors Native values of spiritual balance and well-being.