Tribes & tribulations
Subtitle: misconceptions about American Indians and their histories
By: Laurence M. Hauptman.
Edition: 1st ed.
Publisher: University of New Mexico Press
Published: 1995
Place of publication: Albuquerque
Language: eng
Number of pages: 164
Subjects: Indians of North America -- Public opinion.; Indians of North America -- History.; Indians of North America -- Government relations.; Public opinion -- United States.; Language and culture -- United States.
Other titles: Tribes and tribulations
Description: In the nine essays in this volume, Laurence M. Hauptman selects topics from the seventeenth century to the present as examples of some commonly held but erroneous views on Indian-white relations, including campaigns to pacify and christianize Indians, policies of removal, and stereotypes of Indians as mascots for sports teams or Hollywood film sidekicks.

Some misconceptions arise from mistaken claims that pass as fact, such as the notion that the U.S. Constitution derived some of its concepts from the Iroquois. The misuse of terms such as genocide and paternalism has also obscured the experience of individual Indian nations or dulled perceptions about Anglo-American avarice.

The tribal sovereignty guaranteed by treaties and, at the same time, the Native Americans' United States citizenship have confused many who assume Indians receive special considerations.
Notes: Includes bibliographical references (p. 123-151) and index.