Contemporary Native American Political Issues - (Contemporary Native American Communities) by Troy Johnson (Paperback)

Book Synopsis

"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 Johnson
Troy 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.

Review Quotes

Although there are several anthropological textbooks on Native Americans, a collection discussing contemporary sociological issues for classroom use is sorely missing. Champagne and Johnson are addressing this lack. In their two-volume collection of essays, the editors are providing a broad range of topics facing Native American communities at this time.

These two volumes (with Contemporary Native American Cultural Issues, ed Champagne) succeed in conveying the complexity of Native American needs and the cultural context in which they are embedded.

This is an excellent addition to the literature on Native American politics, useful in undergraduate courses, as well as, one would hope, to the many academics in political science and elsewhere whose knowledge of the subject is scant.

About the Author

Troy R. Johnson is an Associate Professor of American Indian Studies at California State University, Long Beach.