Resources for Students in Native American and Indigenous Studies
Reference Sources & Overviews
The first three sources listed below provide concise informative entries regarding Native American history. The first source also includes material on Canadian Aboriginal peoples. The fourth source provides overviews of key topics in scholarship on Indigenous literatures. All of the sources provide bibliographies students can use to help them delve deeper into particular subjects.
1. Treaties with American Indians: An Encyclopedia of Rights, Conflicts, and Sovereignty (3 volume set). Ed. Donald L. Fixico. 2008.
Emory students can access an online version of this reference resource when logged into the Emory library website.
2. First Peoples: A Documentary Survey of American Indian History. Colin G. Calloway. 4th ed. 2012.
The Emory Woodruff Library has a hard copy of this book; I sometimes put it on course reserves for my students.
3. The Blackwell Companion to American Indian History. Ed. Philip J. Deloria and Neal Salisbury. 2002.
Emory students can access an online version of this reference resource when logged into the Emory library website..
4. The Oxford Handbook of Indigenous American Literature. Ed. James H. Cox and Daniel Heath Justice. 2014.
Emory students can access an online version of this resource when logged into the Emory library website.
Journal Articles
I recommend using library databases to search and browse academic journals for articles of interest. While I know many students who start with Google Scholar or JSTOR, you are more likely to find the most recent scholarship in other databases such as Project Muse or MLA. I'm always happy to talk more with students about how to search for and evaluate sources.
Books/Book Chapters
Search for books using the Emory library website, browse the Woodruff library stacks (especially the E75-E99 section), and consult with me, especially as you are seeking sources for major writing projects. Students often assume electronic sources are easier to engage (since you can access them from your dorm room or anywhere), but books are often actually more accessible, geared toward a more generalist audience than journal articles are. You do not have to read an entire book in order to effectively use it in your research. You can read an introduction to a book, a relevant chapter, or a section of a chapter that you find using headings or an index.
Basic Information for those New to Indigenous Studies
The two books listed below provide good starting points if you are new to the field or interested in a new particular topic. They also offer nice refreshers and interesting perspectives even if you are not new to the field.
1. American Indians: Stereotypes & Realities. Devon A. Mihesuah. 1996.
The Emory Woodruff Library has a hard copy of this book; I sometimes put it on course reserves for my students.
2.Everything you Wanted to Know about Indians but were Afraid to Ask. Anton Treuer. 2012.
Emory students can access an online version of this reference resource when logged into the Emory library website.
Native News Media Sources
Native Voice One: The Native American Radio Service
Listen to the daily five-minute long National Native News podcast, anchored by Antonia Gonzales (Navajo). Then delve deeper into those and other stories through one of this service's many longer form programs. I highly recommend their daily one hour program Native America Calling.
Indian Country Today
A leading American Indian newspaper, Indian Country Today features many full-length stories online.
Indianz.com
Operated by the Winnebago Tribe of Nebraska (http://www.winnebagotribe.com) and Noble Savage Media, a Native American-owned media firm, this site publishes 2-3 feature stories every day on current events/issues. They also summarize stories found in a variety of other news sources. And they share links to other Native American websites.
Native American Times
This paper features some of its own stories along with lots of articles from other sources about Native American issues .
Native New Summary
Pechanga.net has a Native News summary that gathers links to a range of news stories and categorizes them by topic.
Tribal Nation and Regional Newspapers, Radio Programs, Podcasts, Etc,
I recommend following more locally based Native news outlets, from your home region and/or from the region(s) we are focusing on in our course.
Blogs
Debbie Reese's American Indians in Children's Literature Blog
Debbie Reese's blog includes tons of very thoughtful posts on children's literature and other topics related to the representations of American Indians in popular culture and American Indian takes on contemporary issues.
Native Reader
Dawn Quigley's blog includes book reviews and teaching resources, geared towards Minnesota but broadly relevant.
Turtle Talk: Indigenous Law and Policy Center Blog
This blog hosted by the Indigenous Law and Policy Center at the Michigan State University College of Law features frequent posts on current Indigneous law and policy issues. It also has links to many other great Native news media and social media sources, including the websites of Indigenous activist organizations, local tribal newspapers, and folks worth following on Twitter.
Native Appropriations
Native Appropriations is Cherokee scholar/writer/activist Adrienne Keene's " forum for discussing representations of Native peoples, including stereotypes, cultural appropriation, news, activism, and more."
Other Online Sources
Official Websites of Tribal/Band Governments
These often provide good information about the history and contemporary life of a particular tribal/band community along with links to additional sources and contact information. Be aware that there are many unofficial sites out there, including sites set up by non-tribal members to facilitate scams. Official sites often include statements claiming official status, messages from tribal/band leaders, and information about services for members. The best way to verify that a site is truly official is to contact the community directly.
Author Sites
Many Indigenous writers have author websites where you can learn more about their work.
The 1491s Sketch Comedy Group YouTube Channel
Hilarious videos confronting stereotypes, explaining sovereignty, and more.
The Association for the Study of American Indian Literatures (A-SAIL) Website
As former Chair of the A-SAIL Pedagogy Comittee, I developed an annotated list of resources for K-12 educators. Many of the resources are also relevant for undergraduate and graduate students. You can find the list on the resource page of the A-SAIL website along with other resources and information about A-SAIL. I highly recommend that any serious student of Native American literature join A-SAIL. It only costs $45 per year for students and others on limited incomes. Membership benefits include hard copies of the biannual journal Studies in American Indian Literatures and participation in the active A-SAIL email listserv where faculty and student members from around the world share ideas about research and teaching related to Indigenous literature and Indigenous Studies.
Indigenous 20 Something Project
A project of the Native Wellness Institute, this group's website includes information about events and scholarship. They also regularly (at least once per month, sometimes more) post spotlights of Indigenous young people who are committed to making positive and healing contributions to their communities.
New Fire Podcast
In this CBC podcast, host/self-described “Urban Native Girl” Lisa Charleyboy, has conversations with Indigenous youth about ideas and issues that matter to them. In more than 30 episodes, you can meet a wide range of inspiring Indigenous young people: activists, athletes, actors, artists, pageant queens, musicians, dancers, and more.
Many More Sources
The academic and public sources listed above are some starting points I recommend based on my own knowledge and experience. There are many, many more sources out there, including a recent explosion of Indigenous-made podcasts. Let me know what you find!
The first three sources listed below provide concise informative entries regarding Native American history. The first source also includes material on Canadian Aboriginal peoples. The fourth source provides overviews of key topics in scholarship on Indigenous literatures. All of the sources provide bibliographies students can use to help them delve deeper into particular subjects.
1. Treaties with American Indians: An Encyclopedia of Rights, Conflicts, and Sovereignty (3 volume set). Ed. Donald L. Fixico. 2008.
Emory students can access an online version of this reference resource when logged into the Emory library website.
2. First Peoples: A Documentary Survey of American Indian History. Colin G. Calloway. 4th ed. 2012.
The Emory Woodruff Library has a hard copy of this book; I sometimes put it on course reserves for my students.
3. The Blackwell Companion to American Indian History. Ed. Philip J. Deloria and Neal Salisbury. 2002.
Emory students can access an online version of this reference resource when logged into the Emory library website..
4. The Oxford Handbook of Indigenous American Literature. Ed. James H. Cox and Daniel Heath Justice. 2014.
Emory students can access an online version of this resource when logged into the Emory library website.
Journal Articles
I recommend using library databases to search and browse academic journals for articles of interest. While I know many students who start with Google Scholar or JSTOR, you are more likely to find the most recent scholarship in other databases such as Project Muse or MLA. I'm always happy to talk more with students about how to search for and evaluate sources.
- Studies in American Indian Literatures is the only journal in the US that focuses exclusively on American Indian literatures.
- Some general Native American and Indigenous Studies journals: AlterNative: An International Journal of Indigenous Peoples, American Indian Culture and Research Journal, American Indian Quarterly, Canadian Journal of Native Studies, Cultural Survival Quarterly, Decolonization: Indigeneity, Education & Society, First Peoples Child & Family Review, Native American and Indigenous Studies , International Journal of Critical Indigenous Studies, Tribal College Journal, Native Studies Review, Transmotion, and Wicazo Sa Review
- Some education-focused journals: Canadian Journal of Native Education, and Journal of American Indian Education
Books/Book Chapters
Search for books using the Emory library website, browse the Woodruff library stacks (especially the E75-E99 section), and consult with me, especially as you are seeking sources for major writing projects. Students often assume electronic sources are easier to engage (since you can access them from your dorm room or anywhere), but books are often actually more accessible, geared toward a more generalist audience than journal articles are. You do not have to read an entire book in order to effectively use it in your research. You can read an introduction to a book, a relevant chapter, or a section of a chapter that you find using headings or an index.
Basic Information for those New to Indigenous Studies
The two books listed below provide good starting points if you are new to the field or interested in a new particular topic. They also offer nice refreshers and interesting perspectives even if you are not new to the field.
1. American Indians: Stereotypes & Realities. Devon A. Mihesuah. 1996.
The Emory Woodruff Library has a hard copy of this book; I sometimes put it on course reserves for my students.
2.Everything you Wanted to Know about Indians but were Afraid to Ask. Anton Treuer. 2012.
Emory students can access an online version of this reference resource when logged into the Emory library website.
Native News Media Sources
Native Voice One: The Native American Radio Service
Listen to the daily five-minute long National Native News podcast, anchored by Antonia Gonzales (Navajo). Then delve deeper into those and other stories through one of this service's many longer form programs. I highly recommend their daily one hour program Native America Calling.
Indian Country Today
A leading American Indian newspaper, Indian Country Today features many full-length stories online.
Indianz.com
Operated by the Winnebago Tribe of Nebraska (http://www.winnebagotribe.com) and Noble Savage Media, a Native American-owned media firm, this site publishes 2-3 feature stories every day on current events/issues. They also summarize stories found in a variety of other news sources. And they share links to other Native American websites.
Native American Times
This paper features some of its own stories along with lots of articles from other sources about Native American issues .
Native New Summary
Pechanga.net has a Native News summary that gathers links to a range of news stories and categorizes them by topic.
Tribal Nation and Regional Newspapers, Radio Programs, Podcasts, Etc,
I recommend following more locally based Native news outlets, from your home region and/or from the region(s) we are focusing on in our course.
Blogs
Debbie Reese's American Indians in Children's Literature Blog
Debbie Reese's blog includes tons of very thoughtful posts on children's literature and other topics related to the representations of American Indians in popular culture and American Indian takes on contemporary issues.
Native Reader
Dawn Quigley's blog includes book reviews and teaching resources, geared towards Minnesota but broadly relevant.
Turtle Talk: Indigenous Law and Policy Center Blog
This blog hosted by the Indigenous Law and Policy Center at the Michigan State University College of Law features frequent posts on current Indigneous law and policy issues. It also has links to many other great Native news media and social media sources, including the websites of Indigenous activist organizations, local tribal newspapers, and folks worth following on Twitter.
Native Appropriations
Native Appropriations is Cherokee scholar/writer/activist Adrienne Keene's " forum for discussing representations of Native peoples, including stereotypes, cultural appropriation, news, activism, and more."
Other Online Sources
Official Websites of Tribal/Band Governments
These often provide good information about the history and contemporary life of a particular tribal/band community along with links to additional sources and contact information. Be aware that there are many unofficial sites out there, including sites set up by non-tribal members to facilitate scams. Official sites often include statements claiming official status, messages from tribal/band leaders, and information about services for members. The best way to verify that a site is truly official is to contact the community directly.
Author Sites
Many Indigenous writers have author websites where you can learn more about their work.
The 1491s Sketch Comedy Group YouTube Channel
Hilarious videos confronting stereotypes, explaining sovereignty, and more.
The Association for the Study of American Indian Literatures (A-SAIL) Website
As former Chair of the A-SAIL Pedagogy Comittee, I developed an annotated list of resources for K-12 educators. Many of the resources are also relevant for undergraduate and graduate students. You can find the list on the resource page of the A-SAIL website along with other resources and information about A-SAIL. I highly recommend that any serious student of Native American literature join A-SAIL. It only costs $45 per year for students and others on limited incomes. Membership benefits include hard copies of the biannual journal Studies in American Indian Literatures and participation in the active A-SAIL email listserv where faculty and student members from around the world share ideas about research and teaching related to Indigenous literature and Indigenous Studies.
Indigenous 20 Something Project
A project of the Native Wellness Institute, this group's website includes information about events and scholarship. They also regularly (at least once per month, sometimes more) post spotlights of Indigenous young people who are committed to making positive and healing contributions to their communities.
New Fire Podcast
In this CBC podcast, host/self-described “Urban Native Girl” Lisa Charleyboy, has conversations with Indigenous youth about ideas and issues that matter to them. In more than 30 episodes, you can meet a wide range of inspiring Indigenous young people: activists, athletes, actors, artists, pageant queens, musicians, dancers, and more.
Many More Sources
The academic and public sources listed above are some starting points I recommend based on my own knowledge and experience. There are many, many more sources out there, including a recent explosion of Indigenous-made podcasts. Let me know what you find!
