Product Description
There is a surprising amount of data available about Native Americans in the Schoharie River Valley, and this volume is a useful tool for further research into this wealth of historical records. The author provides detailed descriptions of source material ... Read more

Customer Reviews (1)

This is a marvelous book for all ages.
I really enjoyed the Seneca Indian tales--Parker makes them come to life and makes the reader able to "see" the story in his or her own mind.The tales are very entertaining and often help illustrate a lesson.Readers of any age will love these stories--from age 9 to 90. As the editor of a book of Delaware legends, I appreciate a well-told story, and I sincerely recommend these. ... Read more

Customer Reviews (1)

Iroquois: Their Arts and Crafts
I read this book as research material while searching for information about my native ancestry.I have found it to be quite informative and very useful. The patterns and color pictures were very detailed and much appreciated.So much is written on the Plains indians but not much about the Woodland cultures.It was easy to read and understand and included a lot of backround information on the Iroquois people. ... Read more

Product Description
The title, Combing the Snakes from His Hair, alludes to an Iroquois story of healing. Atatarho, the Onondaga leader, had a crooked body and a head covered with snakes. In order to achieve peace, Atatarho had to be healed: his mind straightened, his body straightened, the snakes combed from his hair. Similarly, during the writing of these poems, Stevens experienced a healing, a setting straight of his life and a setting straight of the record.The collection, written between 1993 and 1999, is comprised of five sections. The opening section, written as a way to explore new natural surroundings, is accompanied by the author's drawings of prairie flora. The second section is a series of love poems. The third section examines the relationship between European music and Native American music and observes that both should be viewed equally as expressive of each culture. And the fourth section consists of short poems---translations, if you will---of Iroquois stories and songs.The final section consists of a long poem studying the effects of colonization coupled with an emotional contemplation of nature and one's place within it. It is concerned with language --- who controls it, who possesses it, and how it is used by the colonizer to erase indigenous cultures. ... Read more

Product Description
There is substantial evidence that, in drawing up the documents and creating the institutions that are the foundation of the American republic, Benjamin Franklin, Thomas Jefferson, Thomas Rutledge, and other founding fathers were influenced by the long-established democratic traditions of the Iroquois Confederacy. In recent decades, this idea has created a heated controversy that has spilled out from academic circles into school policy and the media. For its opponents, the "influence theory," as it is called, is a perverse attack on American identity - an attempt to deny the foundations of the European intellectual, cultural, and racial "credentials" that Americans have claimed from colonial times onward. This book gives a history of the highlights of the controversy and examines some important issues that it raises. This controversy is not merely "academic". It brings up very serious questions about the ability of the intellectual elite to "manage" - that is, to censor and distort - the pool of information from which public and educational policies, media coverage, and public opinion itself are drawn.Bruce Johansen, one of the historians who has been at the centre of this storm, follows the controversy from its early beginnings, providing highlights of the battle - both attacks and responses. Exposing the machinations of the academic establishment, he makes it clear that academic "gatekeepers" deliberately suppressed works favouring the theory of Iroquois influence. When such works were eventually published, outraged establishment critics misrepresented the theory and labelled it "a new barbarism", "a fantasy", "a neo-Marxist ideology", and "a horror story of political correctness" - without examining any of the historical evidence provided by the founding fathers. Johansen notes that the historical evidence has become known to a wider audience, and in a small way the "influence theory" has begun to filter into textbooks. The controversy, however, has been taken up by right wing media, which have linked non-European "influence" to every dysfunction of contemporary American society from "truly totalitarian impulses" exercised by "thought police," to the rise in teenage pregnancies, to the fall in Scholastic Aptitude Test scores.Barbara Mann's epilogue traces the philosophic roots of European assumptions of racial, cultural, and intellectual superiority, which remain the foundation of education and scholarship in the arts and sciences - despite tokenism and lip service to multicultural values. She discusses the inevitable result: the continuing exclusion of all but a handful of non-Europeans from truly meaningful participation in our society. ... Read more

Customer Reviews (2)

A secret few people know
Most Americans grow up with a vague understanding of our Constitution and even less knowledge about its origins. This book is an eye-opener for the history buff, the general student, and John/Jane Q. Public. Where in our American education do we ever receive the true history of the formation of our Constitution? If it weren't for the expansive-minded genius of our founding fathers, along with the Iroquois Confederacy's League of Six Nations (Haudenosaunee) and Great Law of Peace, our nation would be very different today.

This is on the web site for the Oklahoma Indian Times
This review appeared in the November issue of the Oklahoma Indian Times newspaper. Reprinted with permission

Debating Democracy -- A book review

By Jim Gray co-publisher Oklahoma Indian Times

Getting thehistorical evidence to document Native American contributions to thefounding of the this country is easy to do, says Indian historian BruceJohanson and co-author of the new book, Debating Democracy, it's gettingeducators today to teach it to students is apparently the problem.

Thedivision between Indian Studies educators and constitutional scholars haswidened in the past twenty years and over his professional career, BruceJohanson, has documented the intense debate in education circles betweenthese two histories. Today, the debate has become personal and oftenvindictive. Johanson is a Professor of Communication and Native AmericanStudies, at the University of Nebraska at Omaha. His co-authors are DonaldA. Grinde, Jr. a Yamasee Indian who is professor of History and Chairman ofthe Ethnic Studies Program at the University of Vermont, and Barbara Mann,Ph.D., who specializes in American Studies, Native American Studies andAfrican American Studies.

The book documents roughly 30 years of workbetween the two men in their efforts to make historical fact thecontributions that the Iroquois Confederacy made to the founding of theU.S. Constitution. The authors make a simple point: That the Iroquoisplayed a role as important to the founding of the Constitution as did theGreeks, Romans, the Magna Carta or the Swiss Cantons. Mann writes anepilogue "that examines Eurocentric assumptions of racial, cultural,and intellectual superiority that continue to govern education andscholarship, affecting the ability of non-Europeans to participate fully inour society."

As it is known the "Influence Theory" hasmany opponents and for reasons spelled out in the book, paint a verydubious picture of the guardians of the intellectual wisdom occupying ournation's colleges and universities. Various scholars from around thecountry stepped up in academic circles and denounced the "influencetheory" and through ridicule, trivializing the authors arguments,appealing to unnamed authorities, ignoring the arguments and focusing onthe motives of the authors, exaggeration of the authors' point so it couldbe easily discredited and finally to patronize the growing field of IndianStudies who opponents see as an attempt by the authors to achieve some"late twentieth century respect."

The authors readily admitthat they were surprised at the notion that the influence theory"incited so many incredulous reactions, especially vehement denialamong many people who know very little of the historical context-and evensome, such as Arthur Schlesinger, Jr., who do," said Johanson in thebook's introduction.

The book is more than just a story of an argumentbetween professors, Johanson writes, "For those who are attached tothe notion that our intellectual history is exclusively European -- andthat European culture is superior to that of the rest of the world, theintroduction of Native America into this discourse poses some fundamentalproblems of historical interpretation and even -- or especially --self-definition concerning who we believe ourselves to be asAmericans."

As you read each chapter, the author lays out in detailwhere the opposition has staked out its argument that the IroquoisConfederacy had nothing to do with the founding of the U.S. Constitution.And over time the reader begins to see the pattern of escalation, with eachargument answered, another one raised. Over and over again for twenty plusyears the two authors have presented the idea, only to have somebody fromthe establishment come forward to counter each and every attempt.

Duringthe 200th anniversary of the Constitution, national attention was given tothe familiar belts that signified the Six Nations Iroquois Confederacy,stating that THIS was the nation's first Constitution. And as the nation'scynics began the national outcry against Political Correctness, theinfluence theory had suddenly found new and more persuasive opponents. Butstill the authors continue the fight. From National Public Radio segments,to town hall meetings in upstate New York, Johanson, Grinde and Mann haveproven to be eloquent as well as determined to settle this matter once andfor all.

Indian people from around the country have, to one degree oranother, been exposed to the Iroquois Confederacy history; most neverlearned it in school. Yet for the many who have been trying to make thatpossible that what our schools teach our children in the classrooms acrossAmerica be fair to the Indian community. That a non-European people canactually create a government not only with checks and balances but make itwork for over 600 years prior to European contact. Especially when youconsider that is was done without destroying the environment, or having ourelected leaders being bought out by the captains of industry, or denyingwomen's suffrage or creating a permanent working class poor in a peacefulunion of five distinct and different peoples. Yes, you can tell thefounders of the U.S. Constitution did not copy the Great Law of Peace, butthey borrowed from it enough, to win a revolution and establish the conceptof state's rights.

Now you can see what is behind all this, from RushLimbaugh and Pat Buchanon beating the issue down to mere politicalcorrectness, students of Indian history have something to pick up the nexttime a so-called, "friend of the Indian" tells you your ownhistory.

With a forward by Vine Deloria Jr., Indian Country's mosteloquent spokesman, one cannot deny the importance of revealing the intensedebate going on in academia.

Read, Debating Democracy, published by ClearLight Publishers, Santa Fe, NM. It's like a dispatch from the front of thenew Indian Wars, the war for the soul of democracy in America. ... Read more

Product Description
Seeds of Empire recreates the events surrounding General John Sullivan's scorched-earth campaign against the Six Nations of the American Indians of New York and the Eastern territories in 1779, following the surrender of General John Burgoyne's British army at the Battle of Saratoga. Mintz's meticulous historical research and renowned storytelling ability give life to this arresting narrative as it probes the mechanisms of the American Revolution and the structure and function of the Iroquois Six Nations. ... Read more

Customer Reviews (2)

Wonderful Contribution to Historiography
This book details the events that led up to General Sullivan's scorched-Earth campaign against the Tribes of the Six Nations. The first 6 chapters deal with a "White" perspective and does not shy from Native American atrocities committed against European settlers on their land. However, the second half of the book puts these events in perspective and details the equally atrocious events carried out against Native Americans.

The scorched-Earth campaigns led against the Native Americans is remeniscent of tactics used by ancient armies in southwest Asia. Both points of view are given, but without a doubt the book makes clear who was in the wrong from day one. The title should be a give-away to this fact.

The book assumes the reader has a fairly good knowledge of the American Revolutionary War. There are some points in the book where the author makes mention of some individual or incident indirectly related to a current situation assuming the reader is aware of the name or event being referred to and can see the irony or paradox in the current situation in light of the reference made. For readers with strong knowledge in American history, these nuggets will prove most interesting and thoughtful, but to others they will pass without provoking much thought... although they may intrigue the reader to learn more.

To the lay reader, fine details in the book will read ad nauseum, but to most they are priceless. These are the only reasons I give the book 4 rather than 5 stars. The author does not hold back when describing some of the gruesome details of battles between two armies, but rest assured that he does attempt to lighten the load by using phrases such as, "...dispatched him with a blow from his tomahawk."...

I would recommend this book to anyone interested in learning more about the wrongs done towards the Iroquois by narrow-minded, racist, land-stealing settlers.

History of Sullivan's Expedition Against the Iroquois
"Seeds of Empire" is an account of the war for control of the New York frontier and particularly of General John Sullivan's campaign against the Iroquois during the Revolutionary War.

The book gives an excellent overview of the history of the conflict with the Indians in the upstate New York region during the war and gives a particularly good account of St. Leger's expedition against Fort Stanwix and the bloody action at Oriskany in 1777.

In 1779, George Washington, trying to cope with the British on the East Coast, was desperate to find a solution to the "Indian Problem" that had been plauging the frontier settlements in the western country of New York and Pennsylvania. Washtington realized that the best way to deal with marauding British-allied Iroquois Indians was to attack and destory their villages, crops, and supply bases. Thus, he ordered Gen. John Sullivan with a large force of troops, supported by a smaller expedition under the command of Col. Daniel Brodhead further west from Fort Pitt, to march north into Indian territory in western New York. Washinton's orders were very specific that "the immediate objects are the total destruction and devastation of their settlements." Sullivan managed to engage the Indians in battle and drive them away, laying waste to many villages and fields full of crops ready to be harvested. As a result of this example of devastating total war, the Iroquois were reduced to poverty and starvation and effectively taken out of the war. Washington's orders were fulfilled, but at a high price to the Indians. There has been much controversy regarding Sullivan and Washinton's action during this campaign as it was essentially seen as a war of extermination. There are many arguments for and against Washington's decision to subjuagate the Indians with such brutal tactics, but the historical truth is nonetheless that the once-proud and powerful Iroquois League was smashed and would never recover.

This book is an excellent history of these important events that are too often ignored by many popular and scholarly histories of the Revolutionary War. It is often forgotten that the War was fought not only on the great battlefields of the East, but on the frontier, where some of the bloodiest fighting of the war took place. ... Read more

Product Description
Born on the Seneca Indian Reservation in New York State, Arthur Caswell Parker (1881-1955) was a prominent intellectual leader both within and outside tribal circles. Of mixed Iroquois, Seneca, and Anglican descent, Parker was also a controversial figure - recognized as an advocate for Indians but criticized for his assimilationist stance. In this exhaustively researched biography - the first book-length examination of Parker's life and career - Joy Porter explores complex issues of Indian identity that are as relevant today as in Parker's time. ... Read more

Product Description
This is an EXACT reproduction of a book published before 1923. This IS NOT an OCR'd book with strange characters, introduced typographical errors, and jumbled words.This book may have occasional imperfections such as missing or blurred pages, poor pictures, errant marks, etc. that were either part of the original artifact, or were introduced by the scanning process. We believe this work is culturally important, and despite the imperfections, have elected to bring it back into print as part of our continuing commitment to the preservation of printed works worldwide. We appreciate your understanding of the imperfections in the preservation process, and hope you enjoy this valuable book. ... Read more

Product Description
This CD contains 53 Rare and Fascinating Historic books detailing Native American Religions and Mythologies.Some of the titles in the CD include: Tales of the North American Indians by Stith Thompson [1929]; The Soul of the Indian by Charles Eastman [1911]; Myths and Legends of the Sioux by Marie L. McLaughlin [1916]; Eskimo Folk-tales collected by Knud Rasmussen, translated and edited by W. Worster [1921]; Death and Funeral Customs among the Omahas by Francis La Flesche [1889]; The Iroquois Book of Rites by H.E. Hale [1883]; Haida Songs by John R. Swanton. [1912]; Many Swans: Sun Myth of the North American Indians by Amy Lowell [1920]; Sacred Formulas of the Cherokee by James Mooney [1891]; Origin Myths of the Navaho Indians by Aileen O'Bryan; Truth of a Hopi by Edmund Nequatewa, [1936]; Aw-aw-tam Indian Nights (Myths and Legends of the Pima) by J. William Lloyd [1911] and many others.This CD is a collection of PDF files with a navigation system that utilizes your web browser on your computer. It will run on Windows and Macintosh platforms. ... Read more

Product Description
This book offers fascinating perspectives on the life, traditions, and current affairs of the peoples of the Iroquois Confederacy. Author Doug George-Kanentiio is a Mohawk now living in Oneida Territory who is actively involved in issues affecting the Confederacy and has been writing about developments in Indian Country; for the past decade. Informative, provocative, and challenging, this book provides a refreshing insider's view of Indian peoples whose concerns continue to have major significance for the Northeast and whose future will affect Native Americans throughout the United States.

The author offers a portrait of the Iroquois that touches on a multitude of topics, beginning with Iroquois beliefs concerning their origins as a people and their spiritual, communal, and family traditions. He offers an Iroquois viewpoint on issues that are vital to the Six Nations' economic and cultural survival, including education, taxation, land-claims, treaty rights, crime, gambling, and relations with state and federal governments. Stories of Iroquois leaders and heroes include historical figures such as Handsome Lake, as well as elders whom the author has known personally. ... Read more

Customer Reviews (3)

unenlightened
I would have given this book a negative rating if it was available. Following up on the above critique. I agree that the above are nothing more than news articles (edititorials really), which were yellow journalism at the time and are very little more now. This book is of very little use to any serious student of Iroquois culture, as the author would mold our history and culture to fit contemporary political views and agendas. The term "ëthnic Iroquois" is especially ignorant considering the source, but I digress. The book provides an elementary understanding of true traditional culture and does not provide a compare/contrast of the handsome lake religion to the great law. I would recommend the book but I believe it would be a disservice to any serious student of Iroquios culture. Try Parkman, Morgan, John C. Mohawk, or even Fenton for a more balanced view!

A dynamic survey of Iroquois history and traditions
Iroquois Culture & Commentary offers a dynamic survey of Iroquois history, culture and traditions beginning with the founding of the Great Law of Peace almost one thousand years ago down to the current movement to revitalize cultural traditions and recover lost homelands. Doug George-Kanentiio writes with a special authority as an Iroquois leader and member of the Mohawk nation as provides a complete refutation of stereotypes and misperceptions regarding the great Six Nation Iroquois Confederacy, whose settled territories comprises most of the landmass that became the various states of the American northeast. Iroquois Culture & Commentary is a superb and very welcome addition to Native American studies reading lists in general, and Iroquois cultural history collections in particular.

Iroquois History for Dummies
This book is actually a compilation of newspaper articles published by the author over the past few years.As such it makes for a disjointed bookthat repeats itself with the same generalized, superficial informationabout the history and culture of the Iroquois. Although you will find a fewgems of information that may not be available elsewhere, such asinformation about people like Chief Bernie Parker, the rest of the bookwill be somewhat disappointing.

Although the jacket of the book claimsthat the author "challenges the stereotypes and common assumptionsthat limit our understanding of the great Six Nations," he does so bypresenting an unrealistic, overly-idealistic and romantic description thatis about as useless to the serious student of the Iroquois as thebloodthirsty savage stereotypes of yesteryear.According to Kanentiio'sthinking, the Iroquois were a race of tree-hugging avatars who said atwo-hour prayer of thanksgiving before every bite of food.When dealingwith the modern entrepreneurs who aren't content with living in poverty, hedismisses them as "ethnic Iroquois" who have ceased to be a partof their nations and confederacy.It may impress the fundamentalistIroquois chiefs to say this, but it does nothing for the reader who wantsmore encompassing insight into the modern political situation.

Whilethere are many scholars, both native and non-native, who are breaking newground in areas of the history and culture of the Iroquois, Kanentiio isn'tone of them.This book reads like many other books put by"enlightened" non-native authors who seem a bit starstruck by theall-knowing, all-wise Iroquois.What we really need is a book by someonewho is willing to take a harsher look at the realities of modern Iroquoislife as well as our complicated past and give us a book we can really sinkour teeth into. ... Read more

Product Description
Young Dikewamis and her family are forced to keep moving as the "moving stone mountains" creep closer and closer to their village, driving away the bison and deer, turning the waters to ice, and hardening the earth, making it impossible to grow food.Their Chief, Tarachiawagon, has had a vision in which he sees fingers of water in a bountiful land.Thus he calls his people to embark upon a journey.The long, arduous trip will test the faith of many, including Dikewamis, but ultimately, it will lead their people to a new land.They will call this land Ohio, named for the many rivers that cross it - the fingers of water Tarachiawagon saw in his dreams.

Ohio means "beautiful river", and today we know that it has more than 25,000 miles of rivers and streams. ... Read more

Customer Reviews (2)

Lovely oral tradition & history
We bought this book because it's exactly what fourth and fifth grade students in Ohio are studying, the glaciers and the "First People," but the poetic and rhythmic language has turned the book into a family favorite.

lovely
This book contains lovely artwork and an inspiring story.We're from Ohio so I couldn't resist buying this for our homeschool history program. It is somewhat historical and it is very nicely done.Ages 4-10 would enjoy it. ... Read more