Jon Hickey’s debut novel “Big Chief” delivers a powerful exploration of identity, belonging, and the high-stakes world of tribal politics. Through the eyes of protagonist Mitch Caddo, we navigate the tangled web of relationships, ambitions, and betrayals that define the fictional Passage Rouge Indian Reservation. This compelling narrative stands alongside works like Tommy Orange’s “There There” and Louise Erdrich’s “The Night Watchman,” yet Hickey carves out his own distinct voice, bringing fresh perspective to Indigenous literature.
The Story: Politics, Power, and Personal Reckoning
Set in the fictional Passage Rouge Nation of Lake Superior Anishinaabe, “Big Chief” by Jon Hickey follows Mitch Caddo, a young tribal attorney who serves as operations director for the tribal government and right-hand man to Tribal President Mack Beck. As Mack faces a challenging reelection against Gloria Hawkins, a nationally known activist, the story spirals into increasingly desperate political machinations that test loyalties and moral boundaries.
When Joe Beck—Mack’s adoptive father, the tribe’s general counsel, and Mitch’s mentor—dies in a plane crash after being threatened with banishment from the reservation, the political stakes escalate dramatically. The growing unrest culminates in a protest that erupts into violence at the tribe’s Golden Eagle Casino, forcing Mitch to reckon with his complicity in the corruption he once justified as necessary tribal governance.
The Characters: Complex and Unforgettable
Hickey excels at creating multidimensional characters whose flaws and contradictions feel achingly human:
- Mitch Caddo – The novel’s narrator, whose struggle with belonging makes him both sympathetic and frustrating. His “shiver”—a physical manifestation of anxiety and guilt—serves as a brilliant metaphorical thread throughout the narrative.
- Mack Beck – The tribal president whose charisma masks deep insecurities and resentments. His characterization as a man shaped by childhood trauma but ultimately corrupted by power is masterfully drawn.
- Layla Beck – Mack’s estranged sister and Mitch’s former love interest, whose reappearance forces both men to confront uncomfortable truths.
- Joe Beck – Though we meet him only briefly before his death, his presence haunts the novel, representing both the best intentions and problematic paternalism of white allies in Indian Country.
What distinguishes these characters is how they embody the central tension of the novel: the struggle between ancestral connection and modern political reality. Each character navigates this differently, making their interactions rich with subtext and unspoken history.
Themes: Identity, Belonging, and the Meaning of Home
At its heart, “Big Chief” by Jon Hickey explores what it means to belong—to a place, to a people, to a family. Mitch’s status as an “outsider Indian” who grew up partly off-reservation creates a compelling lens through which to view reservation politics. His constant questioning of whether he truly belongs resonates throughout the narrative and likely will resonate with many readers regardless of their background.
The novel also grapples with the complexities of modern tribal governance, where traditional values often clash with political expediency. Hickey doesn’t shy away from difficult questions:
- How do communities maintain sovereignty while addressing corruption?
- Who gets to determine who “belongs” to a tribe?
- What responsibilities do leaders have to their people?
These questions have no easy answers, and Hickey rightfully leaves many of them unresolved, reflecting the continuing struggles of Native communities.
The Writing: Sharp, Lyrical, and Authentic
Hickey’s prose strikes a remarkable balance between sharp political commentary and lyrical reflection. The narrative voice is distinctly contemporary while honoring traditional storytelling elements. Consider this passage where Mitch reflects on his relationship with the land:
“My mother would always impress on me that no matter where we wandered on this earth (or at least in Wisconsin), Passage Rouge was the home of our ancestors. This place lived in my blood, she said. Passage Rouge would always be my home too. This may have been true for her, but I’d always suspected that for me, it would require some extra effort.”
The dialogue crackles with tension and subtext, particularly in confrontations between Mitch and Mack or Mitch and Layla. Hickey demonstrates a keen ear for how people talk around issues rather than directly addressing them—a particularly apt reflection of reservation communication styles where history and relationships often remain unspoken but ever-present.
Strengths and Standout Elements
Several elements elevate “Big Chief” by Jon Hickey above typical political dramas:
- The depiction of tribal politics is unflinching yet nuanced, avoiding both romanticism and cynicism.
- The “shiver” that plagues Mitch serves as a brilliant physical manifestation of his spiritual and moral uncertainty.
- The casino setting functions as both literal and metaphorical gambling—where fortunes are made and lost, where people put on masks, where the house always wins.
- The winter landscape becomes almost a character itself, with the harshness of the environment reflecting the unforgiving nature of politics and personal choices.
- The exploration of modern Indigenous identity feels authentic and complex, acknowledging both traditional values and contemporary challenges.
Areas for Growth
While “Big Chief” by Jon Hickey is an impressive debut, a few elements felt underdeveloped:
- Some secondary characters like Gloria Hawkins remain somewhat enigmatic, functioning more as plot devices than fully realized individuals.
- The pacing in the middle section occasionally slows, particularly during extended political maneuverings that don’t always advance character development.
- The resolution, while emotionally satisfying, leaves some political questions unanswered in ways that might frustrate readers looking for more concrete closure.
- The complex web of relationships occasionally requires careful attention to keep straight, particularly in earlier chapters.
These minor criticisms, however, don’t significantly detract from the novel’s overall impact and may even be intentional reflections of the messy reality of reservation politics.
A Unique Perspective in Contemporary Fiction
What makes “Big Chief” particularly noteworthy is Jon Hickey’s willingness to portray the complexities of modern tribal governance without either idealizing or demonizing any perspective. The novel acknowledges corruption and power struggles while also honoring the deep cultural connections that bind communities together.
Hickey, himself a member of the Lac du Flambeau Band of Lake Superior Chippewa Indians, brings lived experience to his fiction, but the novel never feels didactic or like an “issues” book. Instead, the political and cultural realities serve the character-driven narrative, creating a story that feels both timely and timeless.
Final Verdict: A Remarkable Debut
“Big Chief” marks Jon Hickey as an important new voice in American literature. This gripping exploration of power, identity, and belonging offers readers both an engaging political thriller and a profound meditation on what it means to find—or create—a home.
The novel excels at portraying the tension between traditional values and modern political realities without offering simplistic solutions. Instead, it invites readers into the complex world of reservation politics through characters whose flaws and aspirations feel deeply human.
For readers who enjoyed Tommy Orange’s “There There,” Louise Erdrich’s “The Night Watchman,” or David Treuer’s “The Heartbeat of Wounded Knee,” Hickey’s debut will be a welcome addition to contemporary Indigenous literature. It stands as both an engaging story and an important contribution to our understanding of modern Native American experience.
With “Big Chief,” Jon Hickey has created a novel that lingers in the mind long after the final page, challenging readers to reconsider their notions of belonging, power, and what it truly means to come home.
