"All the Real Indians Died Off": And 20 Other Myths About Native Americans

This book will be a wake-up call to those who are confident that they understand the Native American experience. Dunbar-Ortiz (An Indigenous People's History of the United States) and journalist Gilio-Whitaker (Indian Country Today Media Network) present a no-holds barred, confrontational discussion of historical misrepresentations, cultural misunderstandings, and racial myths faced by today's Native Americans. Among the presumptions addressed and dissected are that modern tribal peoples are wards of the state, all of whom take advantage of government welfare or are rich from casinos; that sports mascots honor them; that the U.S. government gave them reservations and did not have a policy of genocide; and that native peoples were killed or died a long time ago. This work in many ways updates Devon Mihesuah's American Indians: Stereotypes & Realities, which, though less strident, argues against several of the same illusions. The authors forcefully present their views and maintain that it is time for indigenous narratives to be recognized and heard.