Native North American Peoples - Law, Politics, & Government, Native North American Peoples - General & Miscellaneous, Public Opinion - United States, Public Opinion - Ethnic & Religious, Native North American History - General & Miscellaneous, Native Nort
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Overview
This is a survey of and commentary on what the author characterizes as a unique combination of national guilt and disdain for Indian people that pervades American society. Although not essentially a book about the Bureau of Indian Affairs (BIA), as an "insider" Feraca draws heavily on the workings of that agency. The author discusses, in unequivocal terms, what he considers to be the fallacious nature and detrimental perpetuation of many "myths" associated with the historic and contemporary Indian scene, and the anachronistic, damaging Indian dependency on the federal subsidy. Based on his long professional experience in the BIA, and direct, personal involvement in Indian life, the author examines several topics: blood quantum; land claims; treaty rights and the concepts of tribal sovereignty and self-determination; Land tenure and land utilization; Indian economic development; Indian preference in BIA and IHS employment; other examples of stereo-typing-smoke signals, contemporary shamanism, etc; and a review of the "hostile dependency" syndrome with proposals for immediate congressional action to define the nature and extent of federal involvement in Indian affairs.Editorials
Booknews
Feraca is an original, a bit of an eccentric, and he's angry--angry about the way Indians treat Indians, the way Whites treat Indians, and the way government handles Indian affairs. Based on his long professional experience in the Bureau of Indian Affairs, he attacks the "mythology" of the contemporary and historic Indian scene, and the damaging Indian dependency on the federal subsidy. No index. Annotation c. Book News, Inc., Portland, OR booknews.comAmerican Indian Culture and Research Journal
...raises some issues that are worthy of serious study and consideration.American Indian Quarterly
...can serve as an important point of departure for a renewed discussion of a number of long-held opinions and beliefs about the social, political and economic conditions of the American Indian by both Indians and non-Indians.American Indian Culture and Research Journal -
...engagingly written, often very witty and enjoyable from beginning to end. ...From a professional career that spans over 30 years of working with and teaching about Indians, it is my opinion that this work should be read by everyone who has a serious interest in Indians and that certainly includes the Indian people...American Indian Culture and Research Journal -
...a breath of fresh air in the murky atmosphere of Indian affairs. He convincingly debunks most of the myths, slogans, 'bromides', etc. which mitigate against any clear thinking and analysis of the Indian situation....This book has been a long time coming. It has taken an honest man of honor and some courage to write it.American Indian Culture and Research Journal -
Feraca's new book is a feisty, pungent blitz, a no-holds barred assault on some of the fictions that make up the currently standard 'Indian Story.'American Indian Culture and Research Journal -
Whether or not they agree with Feraca's conclusions and policy recommendations, knowledgeable Indian and non-Indian observers of the contemporary Indian scene will appreciate his courage and wryly tuned ear...Book Details
Published
January 28, 1990
Publisher
Lanham, MD : University Press of America, c1990.
Pages
250
Format
Hardcover
ISBN
9780819176240