The political machinations at the heart of this novel mirror those on the national stage—power grabs, backroom deals, moral compromises—but what makes this book truly compelling is the unique lens through which it tells that story—the perspective of the Passage Rouge Nation of Lake Superior Anishinaabe in Wisconsin. Set within a sovereign Native nation navigating modern politics and cultural survival, this is both a gripping political thriller and a nuanced exploration of identity, legacy, and justice.

At its center is Mitch Caddo, an Anishinaabe descendant, lawyer, and behind-the-scenes political fixer who helps manage the Passage Rouge’s casino operations—both legal and illicit. Mitch is a man torn between two worlds: his deep roots in tribal life and the seductive, often morally murky world of influence and power. As the stakes rise and tribal politics become entangled with external threats, corporate interests, and internal corruption, Mitch finds himself increasingly at odds with the man he thought he was.

When his mentor—a guiding figure in both his legal and cultural education—meets a tragic fate, Mitch is forced to confront the cost of his compromises.

More than just a political drama, this novel paints a rich, layered portrait of a modern Native nation grappling with sovereignty, economic pressure, and the inheritance of trauma. It’s absorbing, deeply human, and thought-provoking—offering a perspective rarely seen in fiction with such authenticity and complexity.

I am currently still reading this one. This is one I forgot I had downloaded and then recognized the cover of the boo at the store. I am about 30% in and really enjoying this book. And most likely will finish this week and review posted later to Instagram, but wanted some type of feedback here before this archive date

Readers hoping to avoid political mudslinging would be wise to take a break and read this astonishing debut.

The Passage Rouge Nation of Lake Superior Anishinaabe in Wisconsin is a microcosm of small-town politics with the added complications of being a sovereign nation. “What happens when the rez dog finally catches up with the car” is a question our main character, Mitch, asks himself a few times – with varying answers throughout Jon Hickey’s Big Chief. There are riots, family drama, a little romance and lots of politics. Mitch Caddo is a political fixer for his friend, Mack Beck. The title works on a couple levels, but when we meet Mack, he’s getting out of a massive bulletproof tricked-out pickup truck with the aforementioned name. The title also alludes to questions of identity. Mitch has lived away from the reservation for some time while getting his law degree–and he wants to support the nation, but struggles with figuring out his place in this society. Complicating things is Layla Beck – Mitch’s childhood friend and former love interest. Layla works for Gloria Hawkins, who’s running against Mack in the upcoming election for Tribal President. Layla and Mack were raised by a well-meaning white family, so yes, things get sticky to say the least.

While Mitch has inured himself to a lot of past trauma, the ghosts of both his mother and adoptive father, Joe, are never far away. In the following passage, Mitch is being gently lectured by a well-meaning elder and is reminded of his mother:
“The voice of self-reproach sounds an awful lot like her voice. Sometimes it feels like I can’t miss her, because her spirit, lost in the woods, follows me everywhere I go, giving me that kind of motherly love that tells me that I’m doing something wrong, that I’ve lost my way like she has, that I’m just as much of a ghost as she is. Or I might as well be.”

Hickey’s writing is promising – while he manages to pack a lot into the book, it is mostly done with a deft hand. My only quibble is overuse of the word “ursine” to describe the out-sized Mack and a few other vocabulary choices. However, any questionable stylistic choices are more than made up for by the unforgettable characters and propulsive plot of this promising new literary voice.
I received an advance review copy of Big Chief from the publisher through NetGalley.

As a political junkie I was drawn to this story of a tribal election, but there is so much more. What makes someone family? What is the correct response to corruption?

The physical manifestation of one’s consciousness. I spent a lot of time contemplating how does one know what the right thing to do is- especially in cases when you have been wronged in the past and to act in your favor now could balance the scales- but only for you.

I’ve recently seen men complaining that the popular books aren’t written for them but obviously historically almost all literature was written with men in mind and if more men read, male centered books about “manly” topics would be the popular books. All that to say, this book is definitely male centered. It’s described as contemporary and that’s true but it’s a political thriller in my mind. I like to see books about Indigenous people that are allowed to be flawed.

An intriguing novel about the inner workings of an indigenous tribe set on a reservation in Wisconsin. Faced with a contentious fight to stay tribal chief, Mack Beck, resorts to immoral and corruptive shenanigans to keep his seat. With the reluctant help of his friend and assistant, Mitch Caddo, they embark on a dangerous, twisted path.

Mitch finds himself in the throes of an internal crisis as he examines his life and where he actually belongs. This a story of power, corruption and the results of nefarious machinations that will have everlasting consequences.

Recommended!

I really liked the characters and the story. My main disappoint was the rushed ending. I felt that the main characters deserved more at the end.

Jon Hickey has an engaging voice and a clear, compelling storytelling style. I found myself drawn in, intrigued by the politics and power relationships. Timely, and a much needed read! Thanks for the arc.

You’re Disenrolled

The Passage Rouge Indian reservation in Wisconsin is holding an election in a few days. The narrator, Mitch Caddo, is the campaign manager for Tribal President Mack Beck and also the brains behind his administration. Mack is facing a strong challenge from Gloria Hawkins, a well-known "Indian county celebrity." As the election nears, Mack resorts to some unscrupulous tactics, putting Mitch in a moral dilemma.

Mack and Mitch have been tight since childhood and they each have strengths that complement the other. Mitch describes Mack as ceremonial and focused on appearances, “He is the look,” while Mitch sees himself as the one with substance. Mack is seen as a true fixture on the reservation, whereas Mitch left to earn a law degree from Cornell. Mack is seen as authentic, while Mitch has been called a "J. Crew Indian," implying that he is a preppy and assimilated version of a Native American, one poised to drift away in time.

Early on we see that Mitch is no saint, either. Guilt and a sense of fair play do not prevent him from using bogus Facebook accounts to anonymously question Gloria’s bloodlines and tribal enrollment status. Just planting these seeds of doubt regarding her identity could sway a few dozen votes.

The Tribal Council has the power to banish, to “disenroll” individuals from the reservation, such as criminals and drug dealers. On the eve of the election, Mack leverages his influence over the council to banish Gloria's primary financier, Joe Beck. He sees this action eliminating Gloria's influence from the reservation.

The novel's story takes place in a tight-knit community with approximately 5,000 people. The close relationships between characters, such as Joe Beck who mentored Mitch and adopted Mack and Layla, add complexity and intensity to the plot. The suspense is further heightened by the romantic history between Layla and Mitch, which remains unresolved. Despite the intricate web of relationships, they are clearly defined and contribute to the overall tension of the narrative.

So, there is romance, political corruption, riots, and a plot-changing tragic death all within a tight six-day window, with the election providing a deadline to the plot. Even with flashbacks, things move at a brisk pace. Most of the characters are pretty well-defined. Mack, in particular, is striking in his audacity. He just believes he can rise above the consequences his actions are going to result in… or that Mitch will find a way to bail him out.

Mitch is the flaw here. He knows Mack is incompetent, he still backs him. He backs an unethical administration, one that even renders him disposable at one point. He knows he is not the man Joe hoped he would be and not the man Layla believed him to be. He is not even sure how “Indian” he is or should be. While Mitch cannot find his identity, the surrounding characters overshadow our narrator.

While the election circus frames “Big Chief,” the text explores the concept of identity. Can the candidate Gloria lay claim to reservation membership? Is Mitch a res Indian or that J. Crew Indian? The idea is challenged that blood quantum or council decisions can determine belonging and inclusion. We are looking at a community tearing itself apart.

“Big Chief” is a fascinating look at an aspect of reservation life I had never considered. This is a fictitious reservation and set of circumstances– and the less said about any reckless and ruthless politicians…

Thank you to Simon and Schuster and NetGalley for providing an advance review copy in exchange for an honest review.

Prolonged exposure to this level of corruption can leave you with a hatred, a deep disappointment with humanity in general, existential in nature. from Big Chief by Jon Hickey

Mitch was a good guy, Joe Beck told him. But did law school and a career as a political fixer for Joe’s adopted son and Tribal President Mack change him irrevocably?

Reservation politics was full of corruption. Political enemies were taken off the roles and banned from the reservation.

When Mitch started working for Mack, it drove a wedge between him and Joe. Now, information has arisen implicating Joe in mishandling funds. And, Layla is back in town campaigning for Mack’s opponent; Mitch and Layla were briefly an item and still have feelings for each other.

As election day looms closer and protests and violence escalates, Mitch is trapped between his job and his heart, and his very life is threatened.

The haunting story is specific in setting, but universal in understanding politics and human nature. It’s a page turner with depth, questioning a political system based on power and control at the expense of community and friendship.

Thanks to the publisher for a free book through NetGalley.

Big Chief is a wonderful debut! This is a fascinating exploration of the politics and intricacies of tribal life in the United States, a story that we desperately need more representation of in literature. The prose is lovely, though it is wandering at times, and this ARC probably needed another edit even before the advance copies became available, for the sake of clarity. I’m looking forward to more from this author.

"Power tends to corrupt; absolute power corrupts absolutely." - Lord Acton


Big Chief is a twisty story about politics on "the Rez"... there is lots of corruption, overwhelming greed, and who has absolute control. As I read the story, the quote above echoed in my head.

The story focuses on a young lawyer, Mitch Caddo, and his struggles to feel like he "belongs" and the story is woven with his memories of growing up outside of the reservation and feeling a bit lost and not belonging anywhere. At the start of the story, it seems like he has picked the "wrong side" and he is happy to live with that... or is he.

The writing in this story was really so very good. I really enjoyed it and highly recommend it!

I would like to thank Netgalley and Simon & Schuster for the digital copy of this book. It was published on April 8, 2025.

The plot of the book revolves around a tribal election at the Passage Rouge reservation, where Mitch, a young law school graduate and political fixer for his childhood friend Mack, is working to secure his reelection against the nationally known activist and politician, Gloria. The story delves into the corruption, hypocrisy, and cutthroat nature of politics, showing how shifting loyalties and betrayal can emerge even when you know your opponents personally, or have grown up with them. At its core, the book also explores Mitch’s grief, particularly his sorrow over the loss of his mother. While some elements, like the contrast between Mitch's mother's altruism and his own ambition, his complicated relationship with the Becks - a family that supported him after his mother's death - and his struggle with feeling like an outsider on the reservation, were thought-provoking and well-executed, I ultimately found it hard to connect with any of the characters, most of whom came across as annoying. The book also felt overly long and meandering for what it was trying to convey. The book has been compared to "There There", probably for its exploration of Native American experiences. However, while "There There" successfully weaves together a diverse cast of characters in under 300 pages, making you care about each one, this book introduces a similar number of characters but struggles to make any of them truly compelling by the end.

Thank you to Netgalley, the author (Jon Hickey), and the publisher (Simon & Schuster) for an advanced copy. Thoughts and review are completely my own.

Intriguing story of politics and corruption on a reservation, with a cast of varied and interesting characters.

Whew, this book. I needed to sit with it for a minute before I wrote this review.

My worry is that the general masses, those who don’t have access to or knowledge of Native relations, sovereignty, the complexities of tribal councils, will think this is what happens with all elections. While yes, there are often unexpected interpersonal connections and dramas that unfold come election time, the author presents a circumstance that is incredibly violent—an uprising of sorts. In all my years growing up and living close to reservations and working with tribes, I’ve never once seen something like what is described in the book.

However, the story is told well. The characters are complex, and the main character is a morally grey lawyer/fixer who it’s easy to be mad at. I’d encourage you to read it, but also understand that the situation is pretty far-fetched.

I tried. The premise sounded really good, but it jist wasnt carried out well. I'm always on the lookout for diverse fiction to expand my worldview, but this was a DNF for me.

Jon Hickey’s debut novel, Big Chief, is an interesting read. I was hooked by the premise and the hope of a deep dive into life and politics within a fictious version of the Anishinaabe Tribe.

Mr. Hickey’s characters are well developed, and they felt realistic and authentic. I found Mitch, the story’s narrator, likable as the cynical, semi-outsider who is torn between loyalty to his best friend and his adopted family, who Mitch left behind.

Hickey’s plot meanders a bit and I got lost in multiple storylines, flashbacks and memories. His list of addressed issues is a bit overreaching (corruption, class conflicts, disenfranchisement, tribal membership, and greed) and probably contributed to my thoughts on the plot. That said, I appreciated the complexity of the plot and the lyrical quality of the prose.

Real Rating: 3.75* of five

I Pearl-Ruled <i>There There</i>. I almost Pearl-Ruled this book. The reason I didn't, in spite of the irksome meandering of the plot, is that I liked Mitch and didn't like the coruscating cloud of people in Orange's book. I think there's a deeper...difference...in these stories than I am accustomed to. The characters in Tommy Orange's novel never felt distinctive or differentiated as I read that first segment. Hickey's characters, Mitch in particular, were more fleshed out, which allowed me to get into the twisty story. But both novels share a similarly alienating absence of interest in building tension for all they're both stories about identity-forming in the crucible of interpersonal conflict.

I am all over stories of power addicts misusing their hits of the drug. It feels evergreen and timely at the same moment of storytelling..."this could be 1888, 1988, 2008, and I'd be in the same rooms among the same people" says my headliner note...so I'm better able to get past the messy, not-obvious-why-they're-happening PoV shifts. I was sometimes a little fuddled about Mack's hold over Mitch, a lawyer who's cynical yet still young enough to believe the law has force of its own. Mack has no such illusions (nor does his political opponent Gloria) so he's, um, pragmatic and elozable. Mitch? Not sure if he's willfully blind to Mack's, um, character traits or simply prefers him to other political animals because Mack's familiar to Mitch. Mitch uses his lawyerly (though not legal) skills to fix events in Mack's favor but he's not crossing his personal ethical boundaries.

I felt immersed in the Passage Rouge Nation. I felt I understood why people love the place. I was on board for the ways and means Mack adopted to effect change, so truly *got* how he lost his moral way. I mistrusted his political opponent/loudly activist Gloria. While believing she was at least half sincere in her desire to reform the world, I felt it was not so much it wouldn't line her pockets. My evil little inner cynic got a good outing among these people.

As to why there are not-quite four full stars, I never fully bought into the plot to retain power Mack set in motion, as it seemed out of proportion thus guaranteed to blow up and cause him worse problems. Mitch saw this, I think, as a failing but he and Mack want the same outcome and share so much history; now how much sense of self does he care to put on the line to achieve a goal? Mitch is a perpetual outsider, which I relate to deeply, as well as a carrier of nasty generational trauma. It was clear to me as I read past the point I nearly tapped out that Author Hickey gets something profound about Mitch. He is among the few who is capable of making his trauma into a source of power.

I think the real reason I found this story so powerfully involving all comes down to my sense of connection to Mitch. Yeah, I'd've liked less muddling through the plot's interesting intertwining strands; I might've enjoyed Mack more had he not possessed what felt like a convenient penchant for making own goals. In the end I allowed this debut novel its imperfections because I feel, and I hope, Author Hickey will be back on our shelves soon with an even more accomplished story for us.

Jon Hickey's debut novel, Big Chief, explores the themes of power, identity, and the complexities of Native American politics within the Passage Rouge Nation of Lake Superior Anishinaabe. Set against the backdrop of a contentious tribal election, the narrative delves into the moral ambiguities faced by those in power and the personal costs of political maneuvering.​

The story centers on Mitch Caddo, a 30-year-old law school graduate who serves as the tribal operations director for his Wisconsin-based tribe. As the election for tribal president approaches, Mitch finds himself torn between loyalty to his longtime friend and current president, Mack Beck, and his growing disillusionment with Mack's leadership tactics, which include banishing members who encounter legal troubles. Mitch's internal conflict intensifies as he engages in ethically questionable activities on Mack's behalf, to try to get him to win the tribal election, which prompts him to reevaluate his values and past decisions. ​

It's a bit long winded and there are several side bar stories that are not related to the main plot but still an interesting account of how tribal politics are not much different at all than what goes on between democrats and republicans in a high stakes election.

Hickey's narrative is both timely with what's going on in today's administration, and thought-provoking, drawing parallels between the microcosm of tribal politics and broader themes of corruption and integrity in contemporary society. Rather than expanding the narrative from there, he concentrates on how these actions effect the community and people individually.

A tragedy. Framed over the course of a week before the election of Tribal President of the Passage Rouge Anishanaabe, it's the story of Mitch, an attorney who came back to the reservation at the urging of Mack's adoptive father Joe, and Mack who Mitch got elected last time around. It's not entirely linear-we learn Mitch's back story in bits and pieces. Mack is an angry man, a man who has been angry since he was adopted by Joe as a child. His sister Layla, Mitch's one time love, is working for Gloria who is running against Mitch. And under it all is corruption, some of which trails back to Joe. The atmospherics are vivid, the characters well rounded and wholly believable. The image of Mack sitting by the fire will stick with you. Thanks to the publisher for the ARC. It's a terrific read.