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| "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. |
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"SITTING BULL'S PIPE,
Rediscovering the man, correcting the myth"
by Kenneth B. Tankersley Ph.D. and Robert Pickering Ph.D.
forward by Joanna Basha (Wanbli Cante Wiyan) -Lakota- |
"LIES MY TEACHER TOLD ME" By James Loewen. |
| "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. |
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"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." |
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| "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. |
| "THE BUFFALO HIDE TIPI OF THE SIOUX"
By Larry Belitz, printed by Pine Hill Press of Sioux Falls SD. Larry was adopted over 40 years ago by the Bear Robe family who passed on to him much knowledge of the early days of the Lakota People. Larry was the first man in over 100 years to construct a buffalo hide tipi, many of which along with his other museum quality reproductions can be found in prominent institutions and private collections across the globe. Larry provided much input and work on the set of the groundbreaking movie, "Dances With Wolves." Autographed copies of this work can be purchased by writing Larry at 12747 Oak Road Hot Springs SD 57747 |
| "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. |
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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. |
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"MY LIFE AS AN INDIAN, written by
J.W. Schultz This work was written by a man who left Eastern society in the mid 1800's and made his way west where he eventually settled and married into Blackfoot society. Schultz lived among the Blackfoot People for over 70 years. This, a rare personal account, was given to me to read by Tom Giordano, a fellow member of the Bureau County Board of Supervisors. Thanks Tom!!!! |
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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. |
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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. |
| "CRAZY HORSE, A Lakota Life."
By Kingsley M. Bray This work, 20 years in the making, has emerged as perhaps the most exhaustive research of the life of the Oglala Lakota leader. A lengthy but rewarding read that corrects earlier misconceptions about this man and builds a firm understanding of the times and culture from which he emerged and fought and died to defend and protect. |
| "THE JOURNEY OF CRAZY HORSE." By
Joseph M Marshal III -Lakota- Marshall's mastery of storytelling and language complements his knowledge as one who grew up in the culture of the Lakota People in relating the story of one of America's greatest leaders whose charisma is matched only by the mystery that surrounds his life and memory. |
| "THE LAKOTA WAY, Stories and
Lessons For Living." by Joseph M. Marshall III _Lakota- I do not know which of the versions of this work exceeds the other, the written book or the spoken CD version of the same title. Marshall's mastery of words is matched by his sense of style, and timing and a wonderful speaking voice. Every child should hear these stories. Every adult should live their lives by them. |
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"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, 600 pages of text, 34 pages of footnotes, extensive index. This work was kept off the bookshelves in the United States for over eight years by lawsuits filed by the former Governor of South Dakota, William Janklow, and Special Agent David Price of the FBI, before both lawsuits were dismissed. This work is featured in the resource, "100 Banned Books," published by Checkermark Books. |
| "INCIDENT AT OGLALA," Michael Apted documentary narrated by Robert Redford. a video companion to the above mentioned book that covers the prosecution of Leonard Peltier for the murder of two FBI agents, Jack Coler and Ron Williams on June 26th, 1975.. |
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"WOUNDED KNEE, 1973, A PERSONAL ACCOUNT,"
by Stanley David Lyman foreword by Alvin M Josephy Jr.
Most sources written on Wounded Knee II focus on the role of the occupiers of that village and historic site, namely members of AIM and its supporters. This account was written by the Bureau of Indian Affairs superintendant who was in charge of supporting official government policies. Lyman's own words describe these policies as, "a tragic failure," that are, " not responsive to Indians." And yet in this account one can not deny that Lyman wanted to better the lives of the People of Pine Ridge. Hamstrung by prevailing attitudes and the very institutions Superintendant Lyman was obligated to defend, one can sense his frustration as the situation spiraled into chaos, confusion and violence. This work reminds us that there is another side to this story and why to this day this conflict remains controversial and continues to stir strong emotions among adherents on both sides of the struggle. I will remember the words of tribal councilman Leo Wilcox when thinking of this work, "We have got to stop this brother fighting brother." Several days after uttering these words, the remains of Wilcox, a Marine Corps veteran, were found in his burned out car just north of the reservation border. |
| "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 in my view, was book ended between the senseless murders of two innocents, Raymond Yellow Thunder, and Anna Mae Pictou Aquash. This struggle has been compared to a war, and in war 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.. 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. As a Non-Native author, Hendricks surely did not enjoy full access to either side of this story. Yet in my opinion, I believe he has quite probably completed one of the most important works on these subjects. This work, along with the work of Paul DeMain, editor of the "News From Indian Country," an independent, Indian owned, reservation based newspaper. http://www.indiancountrynews.com/ have been instrumental in shining light on a dark moment of American history. Highly recommended! |
RECOMMENDED READING