: About Me

My name is Janet Neumann. I am an anishinaabe woman born and raised in the state of Minnesota. I have 4 children and 4 grandchildren. I recently married and I have a stepdaughter. I loved to write, but never realized how much until a few years ago. I enjoy writing short stories and poetry the most. Writing gives me the chance to put down on paper, or to just type away my deepest thoughts, opinions and dreams in a creative way. Remember I am just a beginner in the world of creative writers, but I love it!

My passion is ...

to write poetry and some day be published

I know too much about ...

beadwork - Native American crafts, but I love it, beading has been a part of my life for over 20 years

My parents always told me ...

they were never there for me. I learned of love, life, responsibility through my friends

My childhood ambition ...

was to be a teacher. I have done this through beading. I have taught the children on White Earth reservation the gift of making and giving to others, (through the Learn to Bead Project) as it should be.

My favorite memory ...

was playing in the woods and making forts, and making up our ponies to surprise my grandfather who was full-blooded anishinaabe. We grew up in the cities and were called that, "city kids"

Why I write ...

Writing gives me the chance to let off steam, relax and be me and whatever I want to be, as well as writing down memories of life.

What I am reading/watching/listening to ...

I love pow-wow music and flute music, as well as country (so I modernized :) )

My first job ...

was watching children at the community swimming pool

My best moment ...

being with my children when my grandchildren were born

My inspiration ...

my friends, my husband and life itself.

Creative Writing > Reflections Reflections: Struggle

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Who was Allen Most of the first grade children I worked with were labeled "special needs," which meant, they just needed some special attention to get on the right track with their reading, writing and math skills. There was one little boy who caught my eye. He was withdrawn and quiet, yet angry at the world, and everyone around him. It took a long time for me to get through to him. Trusting others wasn't something that came normal to this him, but he decided that I was there to help him. He was often absent from class, but when he was in class, he did the work that was asked of him. He di...

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