Ledfeather

Ledfeather is a 2008 novel by Native American author Stephen Graham Jones, published by FC2 (Fiction Collective Two). The story follows Doby Saxon, a young Blackfoot man living on the Blackfeet Indian Reservation, who discovers letters from Francis Dalimpere, an Indian Agent from 1883. These letters reveal decisions that have profoundly impacted generations of Blackfeet Indians. As the novel unfolds, it is suggested that Doby and Francis may be the same soul inhabiting two separate bodies, with Francis forced to live in the future on the same reservation still grappling with the consequences of his actions.

Key characters include Malory Sainte, Doby's mother; Claire Dalimpere, Francis's wife and recipient of his letters; Yellow Tail, the 1883 Blackfeet Chief; and Lead Feather, a young boy found by Francis after attempting suicide. The novel explores themes of cyclical patterns, iterations, and rhythm, which Jones has noted as recurring motifs in his work.

Reception for the book has been positive, with Foreword Reviews praising its "hallucinogenic lyricism" and nonlinear narrative structure. Lit Pub reviewer Edward J. Rathke described it as a deeply moving experience, noting how the novel resonated emotionally and intellectually, even prompting multiple readings. The novel is part of Jones's broader body of work, which includes titles like The Fast Red Road: A Plainsong (2000) and Demon Theory (2006).