Where the Pavement Ends

Volume 37 in the American Indian Literature and Critical Studies Series William S. Yellow Robe, Jr., a leading Assiniboine playwright, began his career in the theater as an actor. Although his acting skills were respected, there were few roles for Native Americans. As a result, he began writing his own plays, creating roles not just for himself but for other Native actors as well. Where the Pavement Ends comprises five of Yellow Robe's most poignant and powerful plays: The Star Quilter, the Body Guards, Rez Politics, The Council, and Sneaky. Based on his experiences on the Fort Peck Indian reservation, these plays combine raw reservation reality with subtle humor. By exploring various aspects of the Native American experience, including tribal autonomy, ecology, Indian/White relations, and identity, the plays offer a unique and fresh perspective on humanity.

William S. Yellow Robe, Jr., currently teaches Native American literature and drama in the English Department at the University of Maine. He is the award-winning author of more than forty-five plays.