Brothers on Three: A True Story of Family, Resistance, and Hope on a Reservation in Montana

Streep expands on his 2018 New York Times Magazine article in this debut—a riveting portrayal of the Flathead Indian Reservation in Arlee, MT, home to the Confederated Salish and Kootenai Tribes. The focal point is the Arlee high school men’s basketball team, whose members Streep follows as they win multiple state championships and pursue their dreams of playing college ball. Arlee is also the center of a suicide cluster that affects the entire community; recognizing the positive impact of the team’s success, their coach urges the basketball players to make videos addressing mental health. The experiences of grandparents, parents, tribal elders, and teachers also figure prominently, adding perspective to the basketball action. Streep’s magazine portrait won an American Mosaic Journalism prize for exploring generations of Salish and Kootenai families and their joys and difficulties; this book-length expansion benefits from his talent and compassion.