Indian Self Rule : First-Hand Accounts of Indian-White Relations From Roosevelt to Reagan

A collection of first-hand accounts from individuals who had leading roles in Indian-White relations. A key reference for the modern American Indian experience. "Indian Self-Rule is a record of the rarest of occasions, for never before have so many individuals who played an important role in Indian-white relations had the chance to meet and exchange views. The contributors include Indian leaders and activists from a wide cross-section of America's varied native communities ; government officials who formulated and administered federal policy, often receiving the blame, rightly or wrongly, when things went wrong; lawyers and other professionals who represent and serve native Americans in courtrooms, corporate offices, and elsewhere; and scholars--historians, anthropologists, political scientists, and others--who study Indians and Indian issues, usually from relatively remote university corridors. Their purpose was to review the fifty years of Indian history since the Indian Reorganization Act was passed during Franklin Delano Roosevelt's New Deal administration. That legislation sought to recast federal Indian policy, redirecting it away from dictatorial assimilation policies toward more self-government for Indians and new respect for their cultural heritage. Other important changes and events have occurred int eh subsequent fifty years, including a tribal termination policy, a resurgence of Indian activism, millions of dollars in Indian claims settlements, and the assertion of tribal control over vast energy-rich resources. The common theme that has run through them all has been Indians' struggle for greater control over their own lives and affairs. The result has been a fitful, uneven progression toward self-determination and self-rule, conditions other Americans take for granted"--Book cover Indian Self-Rule is a record of the rarest of occasions, for never before have so many individuals who played an important role in Indian-white relations had the chance to meet and exchange views. The contributors include Indian leaders and activists from a wide cross-section of America's varied native communities; government officials who formulated and administered federal policy, often receiving the blame, rightly or wrongly, when things went wrong; lawyers and other professionals who represent and serve native Americans in courtrooms, corporate offices, and elsewhere; and scholars - historians, anthropologists, political scientists, and others - who study Indians and Indian issues, usually from relatively remote university corridors. Their purpose was to review the fifty years of Indian history since the Indian Reorganization Act was passed during Franklin Delano Roosevelt's New Deal administration. That legislation sought to recast federal Indian policy, redirecting it away from dictatorial assimilation policies toward more self-government for Indians and new respect for their cultural heritage. Other important changes and events have occurred in the subsequent fifty years, including a tribal termination policy, a resurgence of Indian activism, millions of dollars in Indian claims settlements, and the assertion of tribal control over vast energy-rich resources. The common theme that has run through them all has been Indians' struggle for greater control over their own lives and affairs. The result has been a fitful, uneven progression toward self-determination and self-rule, conditions other Americans take for granted. Now back in print, this important collection of first-hand accounts from individuals who had leading roles in Indian-white relations is a necessary reference for anyone interested in the modern Indian experience. Reviewing fifty years of Indian history since the Indian Reorganization Act was passed during FDR's New Deal administration, the contributors include Indian leaders and activists from a wide cross-section of America's varied native communities. Edited By Kenneth R. Philp ; With Forewords By Floyd A. O'neil, Alvin M. Josephy, Jr., And E. Richard Hart. Contains Papers Which Evolved From The Conference On Indian Self-rule, Sponsored By The Institute Of The American West And Held In Sun Valley, Idaho From Aug. 17-20, 1983. Originally Published: Salt Lake City, Utah : Howe Bros., 1986. With New Foreword. Includes Bibliographical References (p. 326-335) And Index. Mode Of Access: World Wide Web.