"The Adventures of an Indian Princess" and an Image of Native Americans
             There are many arguments for and against the placing of foster children in the homes of people not of the same ethnic origin as the child being placed. The argument against this kind of placement seems to be hammered home in the short story "The Adventures of an Indian Princess (pages 133-140)" by Patricia Riley which is found in an anthology of Native American writers entitled Earth Song, Sky Spirit. "The Adventures of an Indian Princess" makes social commentary on the inappropriateness of placing Indian children in non-Indian homes while also portraying the often preconceived and erroneous images of Indian people held by the dominant culture in this country and how adversely Indian people are affected by these erroneous "truths".
             As the story opens the social worker instructs the foster parents in the following way, ". . . it was important for the girl to maintain some kind of contact with her native culture (page 136)." This statement on its face seems to acknowledge the importance of Native American culture to Native Americans, especially youths. Unfortunately the young girl, Arletta (of Cherokee descent), is still placed with a non-Indian family, the Rapier's, by the social worker. The Rapier's make assumptions on what is best for Arletta without consulting her as we see in the following quote, "She knew they wouldn't hear her even if she voiced her objections. They never listened when she talked (page 136)." Further evidence of the inappropriate placing of Indian children in non-Indian homes is seen further in the story as the family approaches a store blatantly advertising "authentic" and "genuine" Indian goods that upon examination are easily found to be forgeries. Mrs. Rapier is oblivious to Arletta's growing discomfort. Mrs. Rapier soon remar...