Contemporary Native American Political Issues

Edited by Troy Johnson

"How does one make a clear distinction between issues such as tribal sovereignty, indigenous rights, and law and justice? How do these topics differ, and can they be separated from, issues such as identity, health, and environment? The answer, of course, lies in the interconnectedness of all aspects of Native American life, culture, religion, and politics. This format encourages the consideration of Native politics both in terms of unifying themes and contexts and with regard to local situations, needs, and struggles." -From the Introduction by Troy JohnsonTroy Johnson and has assembled a volume of top scholarship from which emerges the complexity and diversity of Native American political life in the 1990's. Each topical section is introduced by the editor's own commentaries, which provide background and integrated analyses of the issues at hand. They are followed by informative, critical case studies and essays that offer experiences and perspectives from a variety of Native American and political settings. Students will gain grounded understandings of key issues as well as a variety of theoretical perspectives from which to understand contemporary American Indian political life. Topics include sovereignty, international indigenous rights, economic development, law, repatriation, and activism.

chapter 1 Part I: Nationalism and Sovereignty chapter 2 1. Ward Churchill, The Tragedy and the Travesty: The Subversion of Indigenous Sovereignty in North America chapter 3 2. Arif Dirlik, The Past as Legacy and Project: Postcolonial Criticism in the Perspective of Indigenous Historicism chapter 4 Part II: International Indigenous Rights chapter 5 3. Stephen V. Quesenberry, Recent United Nations Initiatives Concerning the Rights of Indigenous Peoples chapter 6 4. Fae L. Korsmo, Claiming Memory in British Columbia: Aboriginal Rights and the State chapter 7 Part III: Economic Development chapter 8 5. Ronald L. Trosper, Traditional American Indian Economic Policy chapter 9 6. Gary C. Anders, Indian Gaming: Financial and Regulatory Issues chapter 10 Part IV: Law and Justice chapter 11 7. Donald E. Green, The Contextual Nature of American Indian Criminality chapter 12 8. Carole Goldberg, Public Law 280 and the Problem of 'Lawlessness' in Indian Country chapter 13 Part V: Repartriation chapter 14 9. Robert M. Peregoy, Nebraska's Landmark Repatriation Law: A Study of Cross-Cultural Conflict and Resolution chapter 15 10. Carole Goldberg, Acknowledging the Repatriation Claims of Unacknowledged California Tribes chapter 16 Part VI: Activism chapter 17 11. Troy Johnson, Duane Champagne, and Joane Nagel, American Indian Activism and Transformation: Lessons from Alcatraz chapter 18 Index chapter 19 Acknowledgments chapter 20 About the Editor