Picture a Native American storyteller weaving tales of mystery and resilience in the heart of Minnesota’s Red River Valley—meet Marcie R. Rendon! An enrolled member of the White Earth Anishinabe Nation, Rendon is a celebrated author, playwright, poet, and community arts activist whose work pulses with Ojibwe culture and sharp storytelling. From her gripping Cash Blackbear mystery series to vibrant children’s books, she’s a literary force amplifying Native voices with heart and grit.
The Making of Marcie R. Rendon
Born in 1952 in northern Minnesota, Rendon’s early life was shaped by the Red River Valley’s landscapes and the challenges of poverty. At six, she entered the foster care system, a difficult chapter she survived through her love of reading and writing. A voracious reader, she found solace in books, even when Native stories were scarce. At Moorhead State University, she double-majored in Criminal Justice and American Indian Studies, becoming a vocal activist who helped establish the university’s first American Indian Studies department in the 1970s. Her mentor, Anishinabe writer Jim Northrup, sparked her poetic voice, setting her on a path to blend art and advocacy.
Marcie R. Rendon’s Unforgettable Stories
Rendon’s writing is a vibrant tapestry of Native American experiences, blending raw emotion with cultural depth. Her Cash Blackbear mystery series, starting with Murder on the Red River (2017), introduces Renee 'Cash' Blackbear, a tough, intuitive Ojibwe woman solving crimes in 1970s Minnesota. The debut novel won the 2018 Pinckley Prize for Debut Crime Fiction, praised for its vivid portrayal of Cash’s world. Its sequel, Girl Gone Missing (2019), earned a nomination for the G.P. Putnam’s Sons Sue Grafton Memorial Award, showcasing Rendon’s knack for gripping plots and social commentary. Her 2024 standalone novel, Where They Last Saw Her, tackles the crisis of missing Indigenous women with unflinching honesty. For younger readers, Stitches of Tradition (2024) celebrates Ojibwe ribbon skirts, weaving themes of resilience and community. Rendon’s plays, like the satirical Free Frybread Telethon, and her poetry, including the upcoming Anishinaabe Songs for the New Millennium (2024), reflect her versatile style, rooted in Anishinabe traditions and sharp humor.
Why Marcie R. Rendon Matters
Rendon’s impact transcends the page. As the first Native American woman to win the McKnight Foundation’s 2020 Distinguished Artist Award, she’s a trailblazer for Indigenous representation in literature and theater. Through Raving Native Theater, she amplifies Native artists, curating performances like Art Is… Creative Native Resilience (2019). Her work confronts historical traumas—boarding schools, foster care, and violence against Native women—while celebrating resilience. Recognized by Oprah Magazine as one of 31 Native American Authors to Read, Rendon’s storytelling broadens perspectives, making Native voices essential to the literary landscape.
About Marcie R. Rendon
- Birth Year: 1952, Red River Valley, Minnesota
- Key Works: Murder on the Red River, Girl Gone Missing, Where They Last Saw Her, Stitches of Tradition
- Awards: 2018 Pinckley Prize, 2020 McKnight Distinguished Artist Award
- Fun Fact: She curated Native-focused performances for Twin Cities Public Television.
Snag Murder on the Red River and dive into Marcie R. Rendon’s thrilling, heartfelt world of Native noir!