The Arrow and the Setting Sun

They called him the Arrow: A man who chose to wound his own heart so that his people would survive.

“Being a cornerstone in Native American culture and religion, the environment is in itself its own character. The descriptions and knowledge of the land are beautifully captured by the author, transporting the reader to a place untouched by modern equipment and machinery.” – Deidre E. Wright, MA - Heritage Management and Museum Sciences

A Top 15 Category Selection — Historical Novel Society's First Chapters Competition (2026). Recognized among elite Biographical Historical Fiction titles for historical accuracy and literary excellence. Check out these comments from the competition judges:

• “a well-written and immersive piece… a story that deserves to be told.”
• “a heartfelt evocation of the loss of Ouray's world.”
• “I’m not a huge fan of stories set in the American West, but this entry was impressive… I truly felt as if I was an observer in the middle of the action.”

Chief Ouray of the Tabeguache Ute was a leader unlike any other. Brilliant, multilingual, and possessed of a quiet authority that commanded respect from warriors and diplomats alike, he navigated the impossible terrain between two worlds as white expansion swept across Colorado. 

Told through the eyes of Chipeta, his wife and most trusted advisor, The Arrow and the Setting Sun follows Ouray's extraordinary journey from the mountains of Colorado to the halls of Washington and finally to a barren Utah reservation where his light faded but never truly died.

A powerful entry among literary historical fiction novels like Lonesome Dove and Where the Lost Wander. Essential reading for readers of Louise Erdrich, this is an unforgettable story of love, resilience, and the Native American struggle to maintain their way of life and their dignity. 

“Any compassionate reader will experience along with Chipeta and Ouray the insult, anger and anguish as they discover that the ears listening to them COULD hear. They simply DID NOT CARE. With this discovery, the reader gains unfailing respect for the strength of two people who, despite their knowledge, continue to fight for their people.” - Karen John - Curator, Brinks Reference Loft and Library, LaPorte, Colorado