Legislating Indian Country: Significant Milestones in Transforming Tribalism

ISBN-13: 9780820488448 / Angielski / Miękka / 2007 / 192 str.

French, Laurence Armand

Opis

This book traces the history of injustices suffered by American Indians from the beginning of white contact in the 16th century through the present, identifying five unique epochs of U.S. Indian policy. The first section examines how the definition of Native Americans as a sub-species of human beings justified their harsh treatment and eradication from desirable lands in the emerging states, and the second addresses the further destruction of tribalism through Indian wars, the establishment of military-run concentration camps for uncooperative tribes, and the opening of Indian territories to non-Indian settlers. Subsequent sections detail a shift in policy from physical to cultural genocide: section three covers the legislation that set the stage for federally-controlled tribal administration, and the fourth section examines the 1950s attempt to dissolve tribes, forcing them into capitalist-based corporations with tribal members assigned stockholder status. The final section identifies a middle ground between the strict federal oversight posited by Indian Reorganization and the harsh policies of termination and relocation.
Although the days of overt genocide are over, a more subtle form of exploitation continues today, evidenced by the current controversies surrounding the mismanagement of the Individual Indian Trust Fund, and the deliberate exploitation of gaming tribes by lobbyists and politicians. By providing insight into the history of this legislative trend, Legislating Indian Country points to new directions for the future of tribalism.

Recenzje

"This is a very important and timely book which should be required reading for anyone with a serious interest in law, regulation, and genocide in Indian country. Laurence Armand French has masterfully explained why American Indians have been subjugated in almost all legal matters and how this has had a devastating effect on their health, well-being, and long term survival. The book describes and analyzes the importance of understanding the long term historical relationship between American Indians and the federal government. The material is rich in detail and political analysis and the writing is exceptionally clear." (Jeffrey Ian Ross, Co-Editor, 'Native Americans and the Criminal Justice System')
"This book is a potent reminder of the long and destructive shadow cast by colonialism as it relates to American Indians. Laurence Armand French provides abundant examples of how federal Indian law and policy, even in the modern era, is still infected with the stain of racism, cultural genocide, avarice, and just plain ignorance. Indian tribes and individuals have actively pushed back against these colonial impulses and challenged the nation to act upon its commitment to governance by the rule of law. French's account reveals that as a nation, we still have a long way to go in striking the proper balance in managing relations with Indian tribes." (N. Bruce Duthu, Professor of Law, Vermont Law School)

O autorze

The Author: Laurence Armand French holds a B.A., M.A., and Ph.D. in social disorganization/social psychology from the University of New Hampshire-Durham; a second M.A. in school and educational psychology from Western New Mexico University; and a second Ph.D. in cultural psychology from the University of Nebraska-Lincoln. He has over 250 publications, including 12 books, and is a licensed clinical psychologist and Professor Emeritus of Psychology at Western New Mexico University and a Senior Research Associate, Justice Works, University of New Hampshire-Durham. A fellow of the American Psychological Association and the Society for the Psychological Study of Social Issues, and a lifetime member of the American Society of Criminology, Dr. French served honorably in the United States Marine Corps and has worked in Indian country for over thirty years as faculty advisor to the Indian Student Organizations at Western Carolina University and Western New Mexico University.