Theorizing Native Studies

by Audra Simpson, Andrea Smith (Editor)

This important collection makes a compelling argument for the importance of theory in Native studies. Within the field, there has been understandable suspicion of theory stemming both from concerns about urgent political issues needing to take precedence over theoretical speculations and from hostility toward theory as an inherently Western, imperialist epistemology. The editors of Theorizing Native Studies take these concerns as the ground for recasting theoretical endeavors as attempts to identify the larger institutional and political structures that enable racism, inequities, and the displacement of indigenous peoples. They emphasize the need for Native people to be recognized as legitimate theorists and for the theoretical work happening outside the academy, in Native activist groups and communities, to be acknowledged. Many of the essays demonstrate how Native studies can productively engage with others seeking to dismantle and decolonize the settler state, including scholars putting theory to use in critical ethnic studies, gender and sexuality studies, and postcolonial studies. Taken together, the essays demonstrate how theory can serve as a decolonizing practice. Contributors . Christopher Bracken, Glen Coulthard, Mishuana Goeman, Dian Million, Scott Morgensen, Robert Nichols, Vera Palmer, Mark Rifkin, Audra Simpson, Andrea Smith, Teresia Teaiwa

Genres: Indigenous, Theory, Nonfiction, Philosophy, Academic

352 pages, Paperback

First published January 1, 2014

Reviews

[Michelle Boyer · Rating 3 out of 5]

A well-collected group of essays discussing Native/Indigenous studies and the need for there to be some grounded theories within the scholarship. In particular, the focus is on the need for all Indigenous peoples to use their theories, methodologies, TEK, etc., and perhaps step away from some of the more Westernized canons and methods.

Unfortunately, some of the essays seem to continue to return to Foucault and others. Is this wrong? No. But it does seem like the goal should be to make "indigenous methodologies" (see Indigenous Research Methodologies or Decolonizing Methodologies: Research and Indigenous Peoples perhaps for further reading) rather than try to bend things to older Western theories. It isn't wrong. But some of the essays rubbed me the wrong way because of things like this.

Overall, definitely worth a read if you're interested in Indigenous methodologies and scholarship.

[Rachel Baker · Rating 5 out of 5]

This is a fantastic collection. Simpson and Smith open the volume with a concept of "theoretical promiscuity" in conversation with Robert Warrior's "intellectual sovereignty" which provided a provocative framework for my reading as I worked through the essays. I especially appreciated Dian Million's "There Is a River in Me: Theory from Life" and Scott Morgensen's ""Indigenous Transnationalism and the AIDS Pandemic" in which he describes "health sovereignty". The final piece by Vera B. Palmer closes the book with an equally provocative reminder that theory is to be taken seriously; like a fireball it can scorch as well as ignite. Rather than shy away from theoretical tools, however, she calls for critical engagement.

[Clare · Rating 3 out of 5]

A good collection of essays with the overall theme of native people creating, using, and "owning" their own theories whilst not seeing theory as something non-native, strictly western, strictly academic, or colonizing.

[Mills College Library]

970.00497 T3966 2014