The Inconvenient Indian

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In this deeply knowing and darkly funny account, the author explores Indian–White relations in North America from initial contact to the present. He debunks myths of Indian savagery and White heroism while examining the portrayal of Native peoples in film and popular culture. The narrative weaves through history, highlighting Native American resistance and the author's own experiences as a Native rights activist. With wit and wisdom, he articulates the profound effects of shifting laws and treaties on Native peoples and lands. This work serves as both an engaging chronicle and a subversion of historical narratives, revealing what it means to be “Indian” in North America. The author views Native American history as a circular pattern, where tragic dynamics repeat themselves. Central to the dysfunction in Indian-White relations is the issue of land: “The issue has always been land.” This insight clarifies the history of broken treaties, forced removals, genocidal violence, and racist stereotypes faced by indigenous peoples. Ultimately, the work rejects the pessimism and cynicism that characterize interactions between Natives and Whites, advocating for a new and just path forward for both communities.