RECOMMENDED READING                                                                                                              

 

"STANDING IN THE LIGHT" by Severt Young Bear Sr. and Dr. Ronnie Thiez.
Printed in 1994 this co-operative work details the role of the drum, song, dance, language, and other cultural aspects in the context of past and present Lakota life. Stresses respect, understanding and knowledge in a cross cultural context in an attempt to help those that wish to "stand in the center" of the Lakota way of  being.

"LIES MY TEACHER TOLD ME" By James Loewen.

National bestseller. "Every teacher, every student of history, every citizen should read this book."
                -Howard Zin- author of 'A People's History of the United States'
Highly recommended. To the beginning student of history one of the most universal experiences is that of befuddlement as to how it came to be that American history has been  so slanted, edited and incomplete.. This work helps the reader understand how this has happened and continues to happen. One leaves this book not just learning history but learning to question it.
"NATIVE ROOTS,"
"INDIAN GIVERS"  
  by Jack Weatherford
Two books that document the considerable and often un-attributed contributions of Native American People to the culture and riches of the world, past present and future.

"LAND OF THE SPOTTED EAGLE" By Luther Standing Bear -Lakota-
One of the best books for understanding the world view of the Lakota People. Thought provoking comparisons to our present and past society, culture, and history.
"FROM DEEP WOODS TO CIVILIZATION,"
"MY INDIAN BOYHOOD,"  
"THE SOUL OF THE INDIAN,"  
     By  Dr. Charles Eastman (Ohiyesa)   -Dakota-
The first two books are excellent works that are easily understood by the younger reader but also offer insight to the world view of the Dakota/Lakota People to more advanced readers. The latter work is a profound collection of thoughts on the beauty of the "Indian" way of being.
"BLACK ELK SPEAKS" by John Neihardt
A work on the Lakota holy man, Black Elk. Perhaps the most widely read book on the Lakota People. Regarded as one of the most important works on the Lakota culture and religious belief in part because it was written in 1932 at the ebb of the cultural survival of the Lakota People. Has been credited in part with helping foster a cultural renaissance among the Lakota as well as among other Native Peoples. Noted scholar, Vine Deloria, states that this work must be compared among the greatest religious works of this century.  A recent list of important religious works of the last century, as compiled by Newsweek magazine, includes this book as among the most influential religious works of the 20th century.

"THE SACRED PIPE....BLACK ELK'S Account of the Seven Rites of the Oglala Sioux" By Joseph Epes Brown
A work that deals primarily with the understanding of the seven primary ceremonies of the Lakota People. For those seeking to understand Native spirituality, particularly the Oglala Lakota, this is a good place to start.

"CUSTER DIED FOR YOUR SINS" by Vine Deloria -Lakota-
An often humorous, albeit sometimes sardonic, comparison between the world view of the Native People and of the culture that, in Native circles,  is often referred to as, "the dominant society."
"THE INDIAN TIPI" By Reginald and Gladis Laubin
One of the first and most complete works on the history, construction and life-ways associated with the tipi. If you are interested in a -how to- book on the tipi, this is the work you are looking for. For the more serious devotee of the tipi,  look for the new work on buffalo hide tipi's,  soon to be released by noted authority Larry Belitz."
"BURY MY HEART AT WOUNDED KNEE,"   By Dee Brown.  
Published in 1970 , this book was in many ways a groundbreaking look at American history, namely a look at American history from the perspective of  Native People.  It was this book that my mother, Louise Kohr made all of her children read.  It was the reading of this book, more than any other that changed my view of American History.  Thanks Mom! 

"THE EARTH SHALL WEEP"
  By James Wilson.
 Published in 1998,  this work is,  in my opinion,  one of the most important works on Native American history since "Bury My Heart At Wounded Knee."  While Dee Brown's work is incident specific and gives an in-depth understanding of  events of America's westward expansion during the mid to late 1800's,  "The Earth Shall Weep,"  paints a sweeping overview of Native/White relations from 1492 until the present day.  If you read just one book this next year,  read this one.  This book was given to me by my daughter.  It was a required reading in a  college class she took about Native American art.  Thanks Meaghan! 

"AMERICAN HOLOCAUST, The Conquest of the New World"    By David E. Stannard,  professor of American Studies at the University of Hawaii
Published on the 500th anniversary of Columbus's rescue by the Taino People (proof of the old saying that, "No good deed goes unpunished.").  This book was recommended to me by Carolyn Tail of rural Porcupine, SD.  This scholarly work documents the world's longest,  and most prolific Holocaust and systematically documents the deeply ingrained roots of racism that served as the furnace that fanned the flames that consumed over 100 million humans and countless numbers of cultures and Nations of People.   Thanks Carolyn!
 

"THEY TAUGHT YOU WRONG!"   Written by Kathy Kerner,  and maintained and distributed by Carole Durham.  A work in progress that is geared toward the educational professional,  especially those teaching grade school level children. Excellent resource,  highly recommended.  
Available from:
"They Taught You Wrong,"  496 Woodhaven Dr.     Lynchburg, VA   24502    
Phone:  804-239-7496
Email :    ribonshirt@aol.com     
All profits are donated to local and national Indian education and Native rights organizations. 

WALLEYE WARRIORS      Written by Rick Whaley with Walter Bresette,  foreword by Winona  LaDuke
In the 1800's, when land session treaties were forced upon the Anishinabe People, one key provision of these treaties preserved the right of the Asnishinabe People to subsistance hunting and fishing.  This work documents the fight of the Anishinabe People to preserve those rights in modern times. "Walleye Warriors" tells the story of racism and violence directed against the Anishinabe People in the struggle over these rights.  Inspiring story of the victorious  cross-cultural alliance of Anishinabe, honorable minded local residents and out of state activists that defeated white sports fishermen, resort owners, and other white neighbors intent on denying the Anishinabe the rights their anscestors fought so hard to preserve.  If you have ever been to Wisconsin or Minnesota and seen bumper stickers that read,  "Save a Walleye,  spear a squaw!" and wondered what it meant,  this book will make clear what has been a local and regional issue,  seldom covered in  depth by the national press.


On February 21st,  1999,  Walter Bresette passed over.  To view more about this inspirational man please view:  
                                                        http://www.alphacdc.com/treaty/bresette.html

 REZ ROAD FOLLIES     Written by Jim Northrup
The cover of this work notes Canoes, Casinos, Computers and Birch Bark Baskets.  You will also find a wonderfully crafted work that weaves a ever-present sense of humor into a commentary on modern life,  traditional Anishinaabeg worldview,  family-life, Vietnam,  ricing, spearing,  bigotry, sugarbush, boarding school and  politics.  If you are looking for a modern look from a traditional, a self-described storyteller, with feet planted firmly in two worlds, don't pass this up. This is one of my favorites.

1491,  New Revelations of the Americas Before Columbus  Written by Charles C. Mann
National bestseller that turns on it's head the notion that the Western Hemisphere was an empty,  uncivilized,  world. Draws heavily on old and emerging evidence that details compelling proof  of the many and complex cultures and societies that shaped and molded the physical world of the Americas before the Columbus Incident.

THE FIRST AMERICANS,  in pursuit of archeology's greatest mystery   Written by J.M. Adovasio with Jake Page
This book is an insider look at the archaeological community and the eventual acceptance of  the error and inaccuracy of the  "Clovis First," theory by all but the most rabid and extremist elements within that community.  This work lays out the compelling proof  that the earliest verifiable evidence  of man into the Western Hemisphere points to dates as old as 32,000 years or more and makes clear that the search for man's entry date into this half of the world is an ongoing work and argument that will continue for some time.

"IN THE SPIRIT OF CRAZY HORSE,"   by Peter Mathiessen

National bestseller. The story of Leonard Peltier and the FBI's war on the American Indian Movement.  Meticulously researched, heavily footnoted work  600 pages of text,  34 pages of  footnotes,  extensive index.  Kept off the bookshelves  in the United States for over eight years by lawsuits filed by Governor of South Dakota, William Janklow, and an agent of the FBI.  Both lawsuits were dismissed.   This work is featured in the book,  "100 Banned Books," published by Checkermark Books. A must read for anyone seriously interested in the story of the conviction of Leonard Peltier, and the unrest and terror on the Pine Ridge Reservation in the 1970's.
"INCIDENT AT OGLALA,"
Michael Apted documentary narrated by Robert Redford.   Excellent video companion to the above mentioned book.  Re-enforces Peter Mathiessen's assertions of FBI machinations  and misconduct in the prosecution of Leonard Peltier for the murder of two FBI agents,  Jack Coler and Ron Williams.
"THE UNQUIET GRAVE, The FBI and the struggle for the Soul of Indian Country   By Steve Hendricks    www.SteveHendricks.org    
 The Peter Mathiessen book and the Michael Apted video are the most common initial sources for people that become interested in  the "rein of terror" on the Pine Ridge Reservation during the 1970's, which was book ended between the senseless murders of two innocents, Raymond Yellow Thunder,  and Anna Mae Pictou Aquash.   In my view this book is the definitive work on these subjects. This struggle has been compared to a war,  and in war as it is said, "Truth is the first casualty."  Hendricks navigates this minefield of misinformation,  diversion and deceit that cover and conceal the truth. Before you reach final judgment in these matters, read this book..  It is likely that neither side in this conflict is entirely pleased with Hendricks' work,  which is often a sign that the truth has been reached.  Regardless of your bias or sympathy in these matters you will find this work a riveting, albeit unsettling read. Highly recommended!