Dr. Sharyn Jones review of Dr. Sharlotte Neely’s book, NATIVE NATIONS: the Survival of Fourth World Peoples is in. Dr. Jones states: Sharlotte Neely’s edited volume Native Nations: The Survival of Fourth World Peoples provides an excellent review of case studies from across the world that engage critical anthropological issues of culture change, decolonization, social justice, and Indigenous identity. The chapters in this book explore seven groups of indigenous minorities, Fourth World peoples who live in the so called “First World,” using an approach that summarizes some of the complexity inherent in their unique social, cultural, and historical situations. This format allows the reader to compare and contrast similarities and differences in historical context, politics, economics, social expression, and strategies for survival. I found explanations of structural violence and varied indigenous responses of cultural revival, including education and language revitalization, to be fascinating and highly relevant for use in courses I teach. This book is valuable as both an overview and in parts, where individual chapters are relevant for a range of courses that includes specific geographic and culture areas. Neely’s book makes an especially positive contribution to social science literature focused on indigenous minorities and their struggles because each section ends with a discussion of the future. This provides us with a better understanding of the evolution in the way that Native peoples have come to embrace and express their identity. A strong message in these chapters is one of hope, revitalization and continuity in pride and survival. Sharyn Jones, Ph.D. Associate Professor of Anthropology Chair of Sociology, Anthropology & Philosophy Northern Kentucky University jcharltonpublishing/native-nations.html
Posted on: Mon, 01 Dec 2014 23:10:28 +0000
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