The Times - Serving Waitsburg, Dayton and the Touchet Valley

WAITSBURG-It was a full house on Saturday night at the Royal Block, when a crowd of more than 30 gathered for a book reading by local author Markeeta Little Wolf's from her new book, The Wrestler's Daughter.

Little Wolf knows how to hold an audience, and the Royal Block has continued to create a space that works well for readings and live music. With Little Wolf, you get both. Sound system checked, podium in place, and a petite guitar on its stand, she launched into an entertaining introduction to her life. She also sang one song, which left me wanting more.

Attendees from Waitsburg, Prescott, Walla Walla, Dayton, and beyond gathered to hear old and new stories from the author's life. They were given glimpses into the life of Big Chief Little Wolf. A Navajo man from Colorado who left the States in 1937 to continue his wrestling career in Australia. He met the beautiful Dona, ultimately leading to the birth of his daughter, Markeeta, a born star.

She shared the roots of her love for cooking and baking, which started with a devil's food cake baked at the young age of ten. As her mother, Dona, directed her to a recipe, "if you can read, you can cook."

The daughter Little Wolf found her fame as a singer as a teenager in high school, known across Australia for her acclaimed televised and live performances. After taking her show international, she eventually ended up in Los Angeles. The riots and other events in the 90s encouraged her to leave the big city, and she ended up in Waitsburg with her mother, Dona.

Looking for help to settle a dispute with a neighbor, she met attorney Vaughn Hubbard and his son, Michael, also an attorney. It was obvious that Dona was not okay with her daughter's instant attraction to the younger lawyer. But, as it often does, love prevailed, and the memoir became the Markeeta and Mike love story.

Once in Waitsburg, Little Wolf discovered that she had a knack for local politics. In 2007, she made her mark as Mayor after serving four terms on the City Council. She shook things up alongside her friend and city council member Leroy Cunningham. An Australian Navajo woman and a gay, Black man in leadership positions caused some grumblings among long-time locals or as referred to in the book, as O.W.N. That did not stop the duo as they continued their progressive leadership.

Little Wolf was the first candidate to defeat an incumbent. She was the first Native American and the first female mayor of Waitsburg. A born trailblazer.

The Wrestler's Daughter, which details Little Wolf's life, is full of grand stories, her favorite recipes, and photos. The book is available for purchase at Ten Ton Coffee and online through Amazon.