Native American/Indian Studies Question

[Jake]

I've heard a large amount of mixed information regarding the Native Americans, I understand that there was a variety of tribes, cultures, religions and ethical operational standards. What I would like to find is objective information that has not been touched by the PC crowd. My mother is taking a Native American History course and took another previous to that which dealt with Indians as well, I see her repeating a lot of progressive motifs and just wish to have a source of information that was not affected by liberal professors. Any suggestions for books with information that would portray an objective view of the Native Americans in general? Or any other suggestions at all? Thanks!

[arctictom]

Basically any thing published before 1970 , I like Russel Means book Where White men fear to tread .
For an accurate portrayal of the social and anthropological descriptions of the American indians stick with the earlier texts.

[SoupOrMan]

Avoid anything by Ward Churchill like the plague.

[Aglifter]

Well, it depends which bit of idiocy you're trying to challenge. Sci Am, a few years ago published an article which numerous tribes tried to block -- the oldest body found in the US (in AZ) was found to be mostly Swedish. It helped show that a genetically significant population migrated from Europe, probably paddling along ice floes, in addition to the migration across the land bridge.

[Darrell]

The Fighting Cheyennes, by George Bird Grinnell. Written about 1915, IIRC. Great book, and a sympathetic account for the time, but not PC. Another is Catlin's Indians, by the American artist George Catlin, an account of his travels amongst the Plains tribes in the early 1800s, before they'd had much contact with whites.

[HTRN]

Well, it depends which bit of idiocy you're trying to challenge. Sci Am, a few years ago published an article which numerous tribes tried to block -- the oldest body found in the US (in AZ) was found to be mostly Swedish. It helped show that a genetically significant population migrated from Europe, probably paddling along ice floes, in addition to the migration across the land bridge.

I remember that - There's also a fair bit "lalalalala I can't here you lalalalala" in regards to Clovis point dating. They don't want to admit that man has been here longer than 13,000 years - although that mostly gone by the wayside in the last decade.

And calling them "Native Americans" is just as ridiculous as calling them "American Indians". The most accurate term is American Aborigines, as they were at best a bronze age culture before the large scale sociotechnological exchange with Europeans that began in the 1500s.


HTRN

[Aglifter]

Maybe -- what might confuse the issue, though, is that Australian Aboriginenes are a unique sub-set of modern man -- they're a different sub-species w. very different brain structures. Native Americans are, more or less, what modern Americans are trending toward -- slightly brownish to deal w. a sunnier climate than Europe, and a hodgepodge of all other races.

There were probably some unique genetic traits to Sioux, Hopi, etc, but given the level of inter-breeding, and the largish population size*, and relatively short time that a tribe would have had to isolate itself, there's probably not too much of that. (Even the Basque, who were isolated for about 10K+ years don't have that much unique to their DNA.)

*Icelandic people are already fairly unique, and are becoming more so fairly quickly, due to a small initial population, and a strong cultural trait against out crossing.

[Rich]

With some caveats, most Native Americans seem to be related (most closely) to persons in Mongolia (in North America) and to persons in Southeast Asia/Formosa (Central and South America. As usual, there appear to be traces of "others" like Phoenician, Basque, and Egyptian, but just traces which can be explained away if the expert wants to keep his/her mind tightly shut.

I've been thinking of taking the National Geographic DNA test that is supposed to indicate where my ancestors may have lived. The price isn't too steep, and the labs that are used are nominally under the supervision of British Geneticist Spencer Welles (he wrote The Seven Faces of Eve). If you want a complete picture, you need two tests, one for the mothers side, and one for the fathers.

[moose42]

According to Ken Salazar the Secretary of the Interior Indians should be called... wait for it... wait for it...

First Americans.

Just look at this Gem I just received from him. This went out to everyone in the DOI.

The arrival of the holiday season is a time for reflection, appreciation, and a shared celebration of another good year full of many blessings. As I travelled around the country, I have had the privilege of meeting many of you and seeing you in action. You are fulfilling our Department’s responsibilities to the First Americans, helping to mitigate the impacts of climate change on our treasured landscapes, ensuring the health of wildlife species, and a sustainable supply of water to an arid West. You are also helping to guide this Nation into a new era of the possible – moving towards a future involving renewable energy. I am also excited about how we are engaging our youth into becoming future stewards of our public lands. Your dedication to the mission of the Department and your commitment to serving others truly exemplify public service.

What a bunch of buzzword hippie crap. I need to get outta here!

[Mike OTDP]

I've read some good histories of the French & Indian War that dealt honestly with the different tribes.

We tend to buy into the Noble Doomed Savage guilt-fest. The F&I War shows a different light...one in which the Iroquoi were every bit as skilled in trying to get what they wanted as any European. Worthy rivals, not helpless 'innocents'.