Andrea-Bess Baxter extols the 1991 publication of Woven Stone, which includes "My Father's Song," as "a testament to Simon Ortiz's influential career." Baxter emphasizes the importance of this volume as a collection of previously published poetic works that "use oral histories, narratives, and stories" and are based on "memories of a traditional upbringing at Acoma Pueblo, New Mexico," intertwined with contemporary experiences. She notes Ortiz's clear commitment to "native survival and endurance," but contends that "Ortiz's gift lies in making us aware of our own personal responsibility." This manifests itself powerfully in the simple story told in "My Father's Song."

Many critics see Ortiz's work as part of a contemporary Native-American renaissance. Ortiz himself has suggested that such a critical evaluation denies the ongoing oral tradition intrinsic to Native-American culture. He has discussed the oral tradition of Native Americans as "not merely a simple matter of speaking...