Danky, James P. (Ed.). (1984). Native American Periodicals and Newspapers, 1828-1982. London: Greenwood Press.
James Danky’s work is strictly a bibliographic tool to familiarize the patron with records that historically have not been utilized nor acknowledged in the field of research. The author was concerned about the lack of Native American source coverage in bibliographic tools since the 1950’s. His concern was alleviated when the Wisconsin Historical Society hired Danky to organize their collection of Native American periodicals and newspapers. Through this work , the author has uncovered primary source materials by and about Native Americans (in both positive and negative voice) dating from the early 1800’s. This is important due to the lack of statistical or manuscript material on Native Americans in the 19th century. The guide covers 1,164 periodicals and newspaper titles by and about Native Americans. The scope covers literary, political and historical journals as well as general newspapers and feature magazines.
Value to Patron: An active guide to available sources. This is not an account of historical sources that have vanished. It is intended for use by faculty and students as well as Native Americans researching their past. A truly unique source for hard to find material concerning Native Americans.
White, Phillip M. (1995). American Indian Studies, A Bibliographic Guide. Englewood, CA: Librarians Unlimited, Inc.
The bibliography is interdisciplinary in its coverage. The author is the bibliographer for the American Indians Studies Center at San Diego State University and thus is an authoritative source. The guide includes reviews of encyclopedias, dictionaries, handbooks, ethnographic surveys, periodicals, newspapers, indexes, abstracts, computer databases, directories, statistical sources, bibliographies, book catalogs, biographical sources, dissertations, government publications, and microfilm. Materials are arranged by format but not in alphabetical order. There is a useful appendix organized by state and tribe as well as a author, title, subject index.
Value to Patron: One of the most authoritative and comprehensive bibliographic guides compiled. Still fairly recent in its coverage. This source will be used mostly by students or specialists compiling source material for research projects.
Chronology:
Champagne, Duane. (Ed.). (1994). Chronology of Native North American History. Detroit: Gale Research, Inc.
A chronology of Native American history useful as a desk reference or for a starting point in scholarly research. This work appears to be thoroughly researched and includes topics such as activism, administration, agriculture, art, culture, education, English, environment, law and legislation, literature, politics, religion, science, and sports. The scope extends from pre-Columbian times to the present. The author admits that this was a vigorous task and some entries may have suffered over others. However, Gale Research, the publisher, is a reputable source. In general the book has nice features such a historical timelines, individual tribal chronologies, biographical sketches, over 170 maps and indexes, and excerpts from famous speeches and treaties.
Value to Patron: First, a good general reference guide to names, date, and facts about various Native American tribes and their leaders. For the academic researcher, the chronology offers more than a time line of Indian history. It serves as a foundation for research projects. It could be used to double check dates, or organize a newly born research project.
Encyclopedias:
Hoxie, Frederick F. (Ed.). (1996). Encyclopedia of North American Indians. New York: Houghton Mifflin Company.
An encyclopedia that attempts to cover a vast amount of material while employing of the most respected authors in the field. Helen Hornbeck Tanner, Alvin M. Josephy, and Virgil Vogel lead 260 authors writing 447 separate entries. The work covers over 100 tribes and has regional entries for smaller tribes. Also included are over 100 biographies which the editor admits are meant as only a representation of available resources. General topics of history and culture are also covered. Material appears alphabetical by subject and is followed by separate regional entries. Some source material is dated although still respected in the field. While the editor states that the book is written with the Native American in mind, it is not revisionist in its coverage. The glossary of terms, bibliographic references and solid index are all drawing points to this work.
Value to Patron: This source will be of value to the lay reader looking for a foundation of subject material on North American Indians. Breadth of coverage allows access to popular topics and tribes. While the information is not highly specialized and only representative, the selections are from such notable authors that they lead the reader in a positive direction.
Johansen, Bruce E. (Ed.). (1997) Encyclopedia of Native American Biography. New York: H. Holt.
The encyclopedia attempts to familiarize the reader with the significant accomplishments of individual Native Americans in science, psychology, music, economics, and athletics. The over 600 entries include obvious personalities but the editor states that much effort went into uncovering significant yet unknown names in Native American history and is successful in this claim. The format varies from standard encyclopedias by using lengthy quotes designed to “transport” the reader into a historical moment. Entries are arranged alphabetically, and are in-depth in coverage with an ample index and numerous maps and photographs.
Value to Patron: Arrangement allows it to be used for ready reference. Bibliographic records are valuable to the patron who is looking for source material on a specific individual. Quotations make it a more specialized encyclopedia but it should still be viewed as a general research tool.
Almanacs:
Terrell, John Upton. (1971). American Indian Almanac. New York: World Publishing Company.
A comprehensive source which attempts to cover the pre-historical period up to the beginning of the historical period. Makes thorough use of bibliographic references. Arranged geographical by regional group, but not alphabetically. This arrangement makes the book awkward to use, but if the reader refers to the table of contents it is less confusing. Includes detailed tribal entries in ethnological, archealogical, anthropological, and geological subject matter. Scientific history prevails over social history in this work. Tables, chronologies, scientific notes, and glossary terms almost give it a textbook atmosphere. The fact that the publication date is 1971 matters little in the scope of this book. It should be cross referenced with current research in some areas to assure accuracy.
Value to Patron: This almanac is a one stop compendium of information for the scholar or lay reader. Most useful are the tables of populations throughout history and the copious use of footnotes. Also useful are listings of important archeological sites and definitions of Indain place names.
Directories:
Snyder, Fred. (Ed.). (1996). Native American Directory, Alaska, Canada, U.S. San Carlos, AZ: National Native American Cooperative.
A Good directory compiled by the governing body for information on Native North Americans. The source is fairly current given its publication date. Booklist reviewed it as “a unique and valuable source.” The contents range from events, galleries, trading posts, and tribal and reserve offices. It serves as a regional directory for tribal offices, media outlets, commerce, cooperatives, urban centers, and various organizations. Also included is a buyers guide section and a chapter devoted to tracing native ancestry. Five sections are organized alphabetical by state, 3 by tribal affiliation, and 2 with general alphabetical organization. This is an objective source directory. The calendar of events is unique in coverage.
Value to Patron: Only source where one will find independent listings of tribal nations. Only source which lists the various Native American groups side by side in one source.
Schedules:
Royce, Charles C. (1971). Indian Land Cessions in the United States. New York: Arno Press.
The introduction is a lengthy explanation of the course of land acquisition and sales among the first Europeans and the Native Americans. The author follows with an informative explanation of each colonizing country’s Indian policy, each American colony’s policy and then the Indian Policy of the United States after independence. The schedule of land cessions is in chronological order.
Value to Patron: The information in this schedule can not be found in any other published source. It is invaluable to the scholar interested in the history of land cessions in the United States.
Atlas:
Waldman, Carl. (1985). Atlas of the North American Indian. New York: Facts on File Publications.
Arranged by subject and then loosely chronological. Subjects include ancient Indians, ancient civilizations, Indian “Lifeways”, and also explorers, Indian Wars, Indian Land Cessions, and contemporary Indians. The appendixes feature various lists including time lines, Indian place names, archeological and museum sites. 50 plus maps and illustrations. This work is meant as an educational foundation in lieu of serious curriculum in U.S. and Canadian schools systems. Designed to provide “an overview or a series of overviews” to navigate the sea of misinformation concerning Native Americans and the stereotypical assumption that the victimization of Indians was the result of the inevitable progress of Europeans.
Value to Patron: This atlas is successful in its attempts to be a foundation of research material. There are few atlases that cover this breadth of material, however, the execution is only fair. Maps could be more varied in content and color. Text is written at the high school reading level. The serious regional researcher should consult Helen Hornbeck Tanner’s “Atlas of Great Lakes Indian History.”
Tanner, Helen Hornbeck. (Ed.). (1986). Atlas of Great Lakes Indian History. Norman and London: University of Oklahoma Press.
Tanner’s Atlas is organized roughly chronological. Two subjects at the end break the chronology but are significant enough to be given their own space without ruining the flow of the work. The last four chapters would have fit better as appendixes rather than individual chapters. Maps include specialized information—original vegetation, populations, emigration routes, village sites, European forts, battle sites etc. Tables include listings of missionaries and village they served at. Tanner offers both a selected bibliography and a bibliographic essay.
Value to Patron: Tanner is an authority in this field. Materials were gathered from the finest institutions in the mid-west. Although the atlas is regional in focus it is worth mentioning as a benchmark which other atlases could be measured against. Useful to both the lay and scholarly reader.
Handbooks:
Heard, J. Norman. (1990). Handbook of the American Frontier. Metuchen, N.J.: Scarecrow Press.
Heard’s book is regionally and alphabetically organized, corresponding to major Indian cultural areas. He seeks to specialize in the arena of Indian-White relationships exploring “both sides” Intended as an ethnohistorical handbook, the author admits to his bias towards women, African-Americans, and captives, due to his own dissertation research. Geographical organization is problematic due to nomadic tendencies of certain tribes. Based upon hundreds of published sources, primary and secondary. Would have been better if author used a wider range of materials to compile information. No index!
Value to Patron: A unique source devoted to the experiences of Native, Black, and Women on the frontier. A better overall source is the Handbook of Native American Indians (Smithsonian) .
Sturtevant, William C. (Ed.). (1978-) Handbook of North American Indians. Washington, D.C.: Smithsonian Institution.
Nine of the proposed 20 volumes have been completed in this monumental set that gives “an encyclopedic summary of what is known about the prehistory, history and cultures of the aboriginal peoples of North America north of the urban civilizations of central Mexico,” as state in the preface. This is a definitive source produced by scholars for anthropological research. Each volume is written and edited with clarity and thoroughness and at a level understandable by college students and useful for the specialist as well. Most volumes are organized by geographical location with solid indexes for quick reference. Also included are overviews of linguistics, languages, histories and pre-histories of each tribe, current research in the field, bibliographic sources, religious beliefs and practices, and contemporary concerns.
Value to the Patron: A unique source for college researchers is Volume 4 which is solely dedicated to the study of Indian-White relations. Topics include policies of colonizing governments, military, political and legal issues, religious relationships, and conceptual relationships. This set should be considered the first stop in any serious research of Native American culture and history.
Dictionary:
The Authors have successfully created a guide with insight in the mysteries, customs, stories rituals and songs of Native North American tribes. In alphabetical arrangement, summaries are brief yet informative. The entries tell of creation stories, importance of daily spiritual life, ancient beings, gods, and important moral lessons. Bibliographic references provide cross references. The index is organized by tribe as well as a general index to provide easy access.
Value to Patron: This is a concise, specialized dictionary which gives any reader easy access to the mysteries of Native American peoples. Is most useful when combined with a general dictionary or encyclopedia of Native American studies.
Statistics:
Stuart, Paul.. (1987). Nations Within A Nation. New York: Greenwood Press.
Stuart makes an attempt to gather statistics for land holdings, population, migration, vital statistic, federal government activity, health care and education, occupations, and natural resources of Native American populations. Information is intended to be a starting point for researchers and is coupled with bibliographic references for pursuit of specific topics. The author spends time discussing the inconsistencies of Native Americans statistics, why they occurred and what can be done to overcome them in the future. Historical statistics are rare in the 19th century and absent in the 18th century, hence this is a valuable source.
Value to Patron: Statistics taken from many sources including Indian Agents create a large compendium of information. This work differs with other more recent statistical abstracts in that tables of statistics are more thoroughly combined with textual and bibliographic information.
Guides:
Cantor, George. (1993). A Traveler’s Guide to North American Indian Landmarks. Detroit: Gale Research, Inc.
The author seeks in the alphabetically arranged guide to offer more than just a “compendium of injustice, a guide to brutal places.” Cantor, in listing these significant areas in North America does not seek to hide to brutality of massacres and forgotten treaties, rather he gives equal treatment to the growing number of North Americans who feel a relationship with native Americans via their shared heritage of the land. Cantor makes an effort to distinguish this feeling as more than a knee-jerk politically correct trend.
Value to Patron: Comprehensive guide to sites in both Canada and the United States. Brief historical notes accompany each entry. Bibliographic references would be useful.
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