Dying in Indian country
Subtitle: a family journey from self-destruction to opposing tribal sovereignty
By: Beth Ward
Publisher: West Bow Press, a division of Thomas Nelson
Published: 2012
Place of publication: Bloomington, IN
Language: eng
Number of pages: 484
ISBN-13: 9781449737931; 9781449737924; 9781449737948
Subjects: Ojibwa Indians; Biography; Social conditions; Dysfunctional families; Anecdotes; Interracial marriage; Indians of North America; Government relations; Tribal government; Corrupt practices
Other titles: Family journey from self-destruction to opposing tribal sovereignty
Description: Wilson grew up watching members of his family die of alcoholism, child abuse, suicide, and violence. Like many others, he blamed all the problems on "white people." Beth Ward grew up in a middle-class home in the suburbs. Raised in a politically left family, she also believed that all problems on the reservation originated with cruel treatment by settlers and the stealing of land. Meeting Wilson, her first close experience with a tribal member, she stepped out of the comfort of suburban life into a whole new, frightening world. After almost ten years of living with Wilson's alcoholism and the terrible dangers that came with it, they both came to realize that individual behavior and personal decisions were at the root of a man's troubles, including their own. Further, corrupt tribal government, dishonest federal Indian policy, and the controlling reservation system had more to do with the current despair in his community than what had happened 150 years ago. Here is the plain truth in the eyes of one family, in the hope that at least some of the dying -- physical, emotional, and spiritual -- may be recognized and prevented. What cannot be denied is that a large number of Native Americans are dying from alcoholism, drug abuse, suicide, and violence. Popular belief is that the white culture and its past sins are to blame. However, tribal government as it behaves today, coupled with current federal Indian policy, may have more to do with the present condition.  Unfortunately, persistent public misconceptions about Indian Country, misconceptions sometimes promoted by tribal government and other enjoying unaudited money and power, have worked to keep the situation just as it is.
Notes: Includes bibliographical references (pages 468-469).
Table of contents: title: May, 1980; title: Dying in the suburbs; title: March 1980: Rolling Thunder; title: Living in Indian country; title: The noble red man; title: This isn't fun anymore; title: Play it again, Sam; title: Crying in Indian country; title: Dying in Indian country; title: Gi-ga-wa-ba-min me-na-wa; title: Dying in the heart; title: Freed: Living in the protected place; title: Are we ever really protected?; title: March 1991: The eye of the storm; title: The work begins; title: One day at a time; title: The mission is clear; title: Joy; title: Misty; title: The first people; title: Human rights for all?; title: September, 1999; title: October, 1999.