Native American Voluntary Organizations

(Hardback)

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Description

Although several useful sources provide descriptive material on certain kinds of American Indian associations, until now none has offered a comprehensive survey of both extinct and current groups. This latest addition to Greenwood Press' Ethnic American Voluntary Organizations series addresses this void. The entry for each organization, presented alphabetically in the main body of the text, generally provides the reader with at least a brief history of the organization, noting, where possible, individuals involved in its creation. An effort has been made to tie the organization's development to major events in the history of Indian-white relations or in the Indian community itself. Where possible, references are made to other associations. Each entry concludes with a section of bibliographical material designed to assist the reader in undertaking a more in-depth investigation of the organization. Primary source material is listed where known to be available. The appendices classify the organizations under several general catagories and provide a chronological time chart that includes events that were either influenced by the creation of the organizations or were primary factors in their development.

Reviews

The title is a bit misleading, since it implies that it describes only organizations of, for, about American Indians. In fact, some of the voluntary (i.e., nongovernmental, not-for-profit) organizations listed include groups established by whites for fraternal purpose and for appreciation of Indians and their heritage, such as the Improved Order of Red Men and its ladies' auxiliary, ' Daughters of Pocahontas, (which, until 1974, only white women could join). Other groups formed to aid Indians, but which were primarily composed of whites, include the Lake Mohonk Conference of the Friends of the Indians and the Ladies' National League to Protect the Indians. Many of the more than 125 organizations described in this work, however, were founded and run by American Indians for the benefit of Indians. The descriptions of the organizations, written by 13 contributors, provide information on the founding, history, aims, and effectiveness of the groups and, in many cases, citations for further research. As a single source reference work for this complicated subject, it is very useful.-Choice
"The title is a bit misleading, since it implies that it describes only organizations of, for, about American Indians. In fact, some of the voluntary (i.e., nongovernmental, not-for-profit) organizations listed include groups established by whites for fraternal purpose and for appreciation of Indians and their heritage, such as the Improved Order of Red Men and its ladies' auxiliary, ' Daughters of Pocahontas, (which, until 1974, only white women could join). Other groups formed to aid Indians, but which were primarily composed of whites, include the Lake Mohonk Conference of the Friends of the Indians and the Ladies' National League to Protect the Indians. Many of the more than 125 organizations described in this work, however, were founded and run by American Indians for the benefit of Indians. The descriptions of the organizations, written by 13 contributors, provide information on the founding, history, aims, and effectiveness of the groups and, in many cases, citations for further research. As a single source reference work for this complicated subject, it is very useful."-Choice

Author Bio

ARMAND S. LA POTIN is Associate Professor of History at the State University of New York, College at Oneonta.