Speaking of Indigenous Politics: Conversations with Activists, Scholars, and Tribal Leaders

by J. Kēhaulani Kauanui (Editor)

“A lesson in how to practice recognizing the fundamental truth that every inch of the Americas is Indigenous territory” —Robert Warrior, from the Foreword

Many people learn about Indigenous politics only through the most controversial and confrontational the Standing Rock Sioux Tribe’s efforts to block the Dakota Access Pipeline, for instance, or the battle to protect Bears Ears National Monument in Utah, a site sacred to Native peoples. But most Indigenous activism remains unseen in the mainstream—and so, of course, does its significance. J. Kēhaulani Kauanui set out to change that with her radio program Indigenous Politics . Issue by issue, she interviewed people who talked candidly and in an engaging way about how settler colonialism depends on erasing Native peoples and about how Native peoples can and do resist. Collected here, these conversations speak with clear and compelling voices about a range of Indigenous politics that shape everyday life. Land desecration, treaty rights, political status, cultural these are among the themes taken up by a broad cross-section of interviewees from across the United States and from Canada, Mexico, Chile, Bolivia, Peru, Australia, and New Zealand. Some speak from the thick of political action, some from a historical perspective, others from the reaches of Indigenous culture near and far. Writers, like Comanche Paul Chaat Smith, author of Everything You Know about Indians Is Wrong , expand on their work—about gaming and sovereignty, for example, or protecting Native graves, the reclamation of land, or the erasure of Indian identity. These conversations both inform and engage at a moment when their messages could not be more urgent. Jessie Little Doe Baird (Mashpee Wampanoag), Omar Barghouti, Lisa Brooks (Abenaki), Kathleen A. Brown-Pérez (Brothertown Indian Nation), Margaret “Marge” Bruchac (Abenaki), Jessica Cattelino, David Cornsilk (Cherokee Nation), Sarah Deer (Muskogee Creek Nation), Philip J. Deloria (Dakota), Tonya Gonnella Frichner (Onondaga Nation), Hone Harawira (Ngapuhi Nui Tonu), Suzan Shown Harjo (Cheyenne and Hodulgee Muscogee), Rashid Khalidi, Winona LaDuke (White Earth Ojibwe), Maria LaHood, James Luna (Luiseño), Aileen Moreton-Robinson (Quandamooka), Chief Mutáwi Mutáhash (Many Hearts) Marilynn “Lynn” Malerba (Mohegan), Steven Newcomb (Shawnee/Lenape), Jean M. O’Brien (White Earth Ojibwe), Jonathan Kamakawiwo‘ole Osorio (Kanaka Maoli), Steven Salaita, Paul Chaat Smith (Comanche), Circe Sturm (Mississippi Choctaw descendant), Margo Taméz (Lipan Apache), Chief Richard Velky (Schaghticoke), Patrick Wolfe. 

Genres: Nonfiction, Indigenous, Activism, Research

402 pages, Paperback

First published June 1, 2018

Reviews

[Kirk Naylor · Rating 5 out of 5]

Necessary reading for all Americans. Kauanui's mind is one of piercing intellect, which she demonstrates through each and every collected interview. This book is eye-opening. I considered myself progressive before reading it, but even a few short pages in, the book exposed my learned prejudices and forced me to reconcile my beliefs with the reality of the world.

Cannot recommend this enough. The book is a tome, and should not be sped through. Take your time on it and leave and return to it. The ideas and the people who espouse them in this book are worth their weight in gold.

[David Kessler · Rating 2 out of 5]

Indigenous politics is played out in the courts looking for justice and some fair amount of compensation from the harm caused them by the colonists. The coverage of this topic is worldwide and informative but be ready for some lack of interest due to the completely penetrating questioning of the author. No stone is left unturned..

[Jeanette · Rating 4 out of 5]

Each chapter is a transcript of an interview with an activist or scholar with inordinate amounts of knowledge. These were very informative and eye-opening. Chapters that impacted me the most: Barghoutti, Brooks, Brown-Perez, Deer, Delorian, O'Brien, Wolfe. It is vital that we learn these stories. Related to Deer's work is the PBS documentary "Sisters Rising." Be prepared for mature content.

[John Weakland · Rating 4 out of 5]

Good interviews, but more engaging to listen to the recordings of the original radio broadcasts than reading these transcriptions.