Native American Tribalism: Indian Survivals and Renewals

by D'Arcy McNickle, Peter Iverson (Editor)

Overview

Contrary to the white man's early expectations, the Indian tribes of North America neither vanished nor assimilated. Despite almost four hundred years of contact with the dominant--and often domineering--Western civilization, Native Americans have maintained their cultural identity, the size, social organization, and frequently the location of their population, and their unique position before the law. Now brought up to date with a new introduction by Peter Iverson, this classic book reviews the history of contact between whites and Indians, explaining how the aboriginal inhabitants of North America have managed to remain an ethnic and cultural enclave within American and Canadian society from colonial times to the present day. The late D'Arcy McNickle--renowned anthropologist and member of the Flathead Tribe of Montana--shows that while Native Americans have always been eager to adopt the knowledge and technology of white society, they carefully adapt these changes to fit into their own culture. He maintains that by emphasizing tribal self-determination, the federal government can best help Native Americans to modernize and achieve independence even as they preserve their ancient heritage. Iverson's introduction to the new edition discusses McNickle's singular contribution to Native American Studies, and provides an overview of recent events and scholarship in the field. He has also brought up to date the appendix describing the geographical distribution of the principle tribes in the United States and Canada. With its comprehensive coverage and unique perspective, the new edition of Native American Tribalism is essential reading for those who want to understand the past and present of our first Americans.

Product Details

ISBN-13:	9780198024576
Publisher:	Institute of Race Relations
Publication date:	08/19/1993
Sold by:	Barnes & Noble
Format:	eBook
File size:	4 MB

About the Author

The late D'Arcy McNickle was author of Wind from an Enemy Sky (1988), Runner in the Sun (1987), and The Surrounded (1978). He was a member of the Smithsonian Institution's editorial advisory board for the revision of the Handbook of North American Indians. Peter Iverson is author of The Navajos (1990), The Plains Indians of the Twentieth Century (1985), and The Navajo Nation (1981). He also contributed to the Handbook of North American Indians.

Editorial Reviews

"One of the best books I've seen on the subject."—Steven Kane, RISD

"A classic treatise about the ability of Native Americans to maintain their cultural identity despite 500 years of cultural oppression."—Gregory R. Campbell, University of Montana

"I am glad to have this old "classic" in an accessible new reprinting."—C.I. Mason, University of Wisconsin

"As terrific as it ever was. Shows that Native Americans are not artifacts of the past, but part of a vibrant, surviving culture."—Larry Zimmerman, University of South Dakota

"Offers a valuable perspective from an important period of challenges for the tribes of North America."—Howard Meredith, University of Science and Arts of Oklahoma

"An excellent, concise treatment of Native American-U.S. Government relations."—Douglas D. Anderson, Brown University

"Brief but still comprehensive. The illustrations are excellent. Overall, a solid work as an introduction to the history of Indian tribes from colonial times to the 1970s."—S. Carol Berg, College of St. Benedict

"An affordable reprint of a true classic on the trail of Indian history. Iverson's introduction is useful in placing McNickle's work in its progressive context."—Books of the Southwest

From the Publisher