MBR: The Native American Shelf
Midwest Book Review
Pueblo People
Marcia Keegan
Clear Light Publishing
823 Don Diego, Santa Fe, NM 87505
www.clearlightbooks.com
1574160001 $39.95 1-800-253-2747
Pueblo People: Ancient Traditions, Modern Lives is a compilation of 417
color photographs taken by renowned photographer Marcia Keegan of all
19 of New Mexico's Pueblos over the past thirty years. All photographs
were of people who readily consented to the portrait, done with the
full understanding that photography is a joint undertaking between the
photographer and the subject; Marcia Keegan is acutely aware of the
Pueblo people's rules against unauthorized photographs or sketches, and
honors them not only as laws, but as the dear wishes of friends and
fellow human beings. The images of people, homes, and cities present a
vivid picture of Pueblo daily life and customs, and the brief text
passages throughout the book will help the reader better understand
Pueblo communities and the challenges they face on a daily basis.
Highly recommended.
Since Predator Came
Ward Churchill
AK Press
674-A 23rd St., Oakland, CA 94612-1163
1904859445 $21.95 www.akpress.org
Since Predator Came: Notes From The Struggle For American Indian
Liberation is an anthology of fierce, stringent, and singularly
compelling essays about Native American history and political science,
particularly focusing upon the struggle for survival and identity since
Columbus' arrival heralded an age of colonization and genocidal
extermination. One essay is a scathing critique of Columbus' elevated
position in history despite records of his bloodthirsty atrocities
against the indigenous people he met, which skillfully compares
Columbus to genocidal Nazi engineers due to his ruthlessness, and to
the fictitious sociopath Hannibal Lecter with regard to how Columbus'
achievements are lauded in spite of his cruelties. Another is the story
of the American Indian diaspora. Still another offers an "indigenist
perspective" on Marxist theory and practice. All essays are fired with
literate passion for justice and human rights, and make no apologies
for their scathing attacks upon crimes and inequalities. Highly
recommended.
Recovering The Sacred
Winona LaDuke
South End Press
7 Brookline St., Cambridge, MA 02139
www.southendpress.org
0896087123 $18.00 1-800-533-8478
Two-time Green Party Vice Presidential candidate Winona LaDuke presents
Recovering The Sacred: The Power Of Naming And Claiming, a discussion
of the struggles Native Americans have made particularly in modern
history to reclaim their rights and cave a path that balances personal,
ecological, and cultural integrity. From "Vampire" biopiracy incidents
such as taking samples of Native Blood under the pretext that it will
be used to research diabetes and selling it to bidders who actually use
it as evidence for the Bering Strait land bridge theory - in direct
conflict with the religious beliefs of those who provided the donation
- to corrupting public regard of Native tribes through using their
names at sporting events (it would be unthinkable to wave crucifixes or
the Torah at heated game, yet spiritual Native American objects such as
the feather headdress are freely worn), to modern land grabs for any
coal, oil, or valuable materials remaining on any Native reservation
and more, Recovering The Sacred sheds a spotlight on the disdainful to
hostile manner in which America regards its Native peoples. A carefully
researched and persuasively presented accounting of the inequities of
the past, what Native peoples are courageously doing now to protect
their rights and their culture, and what challenges the future may
bring. Highly recommended.
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