This is a reissue of Native American Tribalism with a new Introduction by Peter Iverson. In this book the late D'Arcy McNickle, Professor of Anthropology at the University of Saskatchewan, member of the Flathead Tribe of Montana, and founding member of the National Congress of American Indians reviews the history of almost four hundred years of contact between North American Indians and the dominant - and often domineering - Western civilization. McNickle shows that contrary to the white man's early expectations, the Indians of North America have maintained their cultural identity, social organization, size, locations of their population, and unique position before the law. He points out that even while stigmatized with the generalization of being an inferior race, harsh treatment by the white North American cultures, and severe obstacles such as epidemics of small pox, Indians have managed to remain an ethnic cultural enclave within American and Canadian society from colonial times through the present. McNickle maintains that Indians are eager to adopt knowledge and technology from the white society, but they want to fit these changes into their own culture. He argues that by emphasizing tribal self-determination, the federal government can best help Indians to modernize and achieve independence while maintaining their ancient heritage. Peter Iverson's Introduction discusses McNickle's contribution to Native American studies and provides an overview of recent events and scholarship in the field. He has also updated the appendix describing the geographical distribution of the principle tribes in the United States and Canada.

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.

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 "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 "A great book!"--Charles Cambridge, University of Colorado at Boulder



Book Information
ISBN 9780195084221
Author D'Arcy McNickle
Format Paperback
Page Count 208
Imprint Oxford University Press Inc
Publisher Oxford University Press Inc
Weight(grams) 308g
Dimensions(mm) 215mm * 141mm * 15mm