Roots Radical Book Club

Join us for a two-part guided exploration into contemporary Indigenous literature. Led by local poet and professor Crisosto Apache.

Register now for the May Book Club!


Meeting: Tuesday, May 23, 6:30-8pm MST at RedLine

Join us at RedLine to unpack the book with a guided conversation by Crisosto Apache.


Part 2: May Book Club

Book: Sovereign Bones: New Native American Writing Vol II, edited by Eric Gansworth.

About the Book

“This book continues the conversation that Genocide of the Mind gives. It addresses forced assimilation and acculturation. What would an eradicated culture look like if it hadn't been erased? 

“A lot of the writers in this book are Louise Erdrich and Heid Erdrich are fantastic writers to experience. This second part book club will encourage participants to take time to compare our assumptions around the indigenous experience.   

“What did we believe prior to reading, and what will we learn as we read? To understand the antecedent of what Indigeneity really is.” 

- Crisosto Apache, Roots Radical Book Club Leader


How to Purchase Your Book

Option 1: We’re partnering with Shop at MATTER as our preferred book vendor for the Roots Radical Book Club. We highly encourage participants to purchase their book through MATTER: BUY BOOK HERE >

Option 2: If you prefer a used copy or Kindle version, you can purchase these versions of the book through Amazon: BUY BOOK HERE >


About Crisosto Apache

(They/Them)

Crisosto Apache is from Mescalero, New Mexico (US), on the Mescalero Apache Reservation. They currently live in the Denver metro area in Colorado with their spouse.

They are Mescalero Apache, Chiricahua Apache, and Diné (Navajo) of the 'Áshįįhí (Salt Clan) born for the Kinyaa'áanii (Towering House Clan) and are Assistant Professor of English at the Rocky Mountain College of Art + Design and is also the Associate Poetry Editor for the Offing Magazine.

They hold an MFA from the Institute of American Indian Arts in Santa Fe, New Mexico.

Crisosto’s debut collection is GENESIS (Lost Alphabet). Their most recent poetry collection is Ghostword (Gnashing Teeth Publication).

Learn more about Crisosto >

Instagram: @crisosto_apache
Twitter: @Crisosto-Apache
Facebook Author Page: @CrisostoMApache


Part 1: February/March Book Club

Book: Genocide of the Mind: New Native American Writing, edited by MariJo Moore.

About the Book

“This book puts stereotypes into context that have come up in American society. This reflects on the changes and the initial troubles related to the context on Indigeneity. Great writers in this book include Paula Gunn Allen, Simon J. Ortez, and Leslie Marmon Silko.  

“Hopefully the insights from this reading offer a different perspective. This book addresses the complications of Indigenous identity in the United States, Canada, and Central America. It engages in a global conversation on imperialism and identity. This book beautifully starts this conversation.”

- Crisosto Apache, Roots Radical Book Club leader 


About Roots Radical

Every year, RedLine hosts exhibitions within a social justice-focused Exhibition Program.

Our 2022-2023 Exhibition Program is titled Roots Radical: An Exploration into Indigenous Ancestry and Experience.