At the time, in 1953 many Indian tribes reacted against this proposed policy; Erdrich's afterword quotes from her grandfather's letters, Patrick Gourneau who served as the Chairman, Turtle Mountain Band Chippewa Advisory Committee. At the nadir of Indians' power, the delegation by this Committee pushed back, being the first Indian Band to mount a fierce defence and prevail. The Menominee, led by Ada Deer regained Federal recognition, details described in her memoir, "Making a Difference: My fight for Native Rights and Social Justice".