Below you will find a reading list composed of a few books that our team has enjoyed reading alongside creating and listening to season 1 of the Historical Wisdom podcast. We trust that these books will offer additional knowledge and wisdom.
Suicide is Hush Hush. We Need to Talk About It
Riverside-San Bernardino County Indian Health released its Hush Hush video about suicide in Indian communities. They interviewed 86 community members across 12 communities (9 federally-recognized tribes and 3 off-reservation areas) about suicide. The video is arranged in the style of beat poetry using the hand drum and 3 verses of spoken word performed by community leaders from 3 tribes. The words spoken are the unedited words of the community members interviewed and are arranged to give a thought provoking and inspirational message.
Public Law 280
Since 1953, special jurisdictional rules have operated in California, as well as several other states. Congress mandated these rules in a statute known as Public Law 280. Public Law 280 withdrew federal criminal jurisdiction on reservations in the designated states, and authorized those same states to assume criminal jurisdiction and to hear civil cases against Indians arising in Indian Country. In states without Public Law 280, the federal government has authority over most reservation crimes except for minor crimes involving only Indians; tribes have criminal jurisdiction over crimes committed by Indians, some of which overlaps with federal criminal jurisdiction; and the states lack civil and criminal jurisdiction over Indians in Indian Country. California tribes suffer not only from funding inequities, but also from the jurisdictional effects of Public Law 280.
Health of American Indian and Alaska Native Elders in California
This report examines the health risks, health status and health services use of the American Indian/Alaska Native (AIAN) elders in California, home to one of the nation's largest populations of AIAN elderly. Specifically, this report uses the California Health Interview Survey (CHIS) to provide omnibus data on a range of issues, including demographics, obesity, alcohol and tobacco use, as well as cancer screening, mental health, health insurance and more.
'Dawnland' Documentary
For decades, child welfare authorities have been removing Native American children from their homes to “save them from being Indian.” In Maine, the first official Truth and Reconciliation Commission in the United States begins a historic investigation. Dawnland goes behind-the-scenes as this historic body grapples with difficult truths, redefines reconciliation, and charts a new course for state and tribal relations. Dawnland aired on Independent Lens on PBS in November 2018 reaching more than 2 million viewers. The film won a national Emmy® Award for Outstanding Research in 2019 and made the American Library Association’s list of 2020 Notable Videos for Adults: “a list of 15 outstanding films released on video within the past two years.”
The Persistence of American Indian Health Disparities
This article reviews the history of health disparities experienced by American Indians for over 500 years and identifies inequities and pollical motivations as contributors to this chronic issue. In conclusion the author invites the reader to a call to action by bringing awareness to the problem as a baseline to combat the inequities and health disparities among the American Indian population.
Indian Health Services Fact Sheets
Indian Health Service (IHS) is a federal organization established in 1787 with the sole responsibility of healthcare delivery to the Native peoples in the United States. Highlighted in this document are comparative high health at risk percentages resulting from the healthcare disparities experienced by the Native American population.
For Native Americans, COVID-19 is ‘the worst of both worlds at the same time’
In this article the author explains the impact of COVID-19 on Native American businesses complicating an overburden healthcare system. The author explains how the lack of tax revenue effects the reservation clinics and the future implications of the Native American healthcare systems as it works towards financial recovery.
Through kids eyes: Virus outbreak brings worry, joy
This article looks at COVID-19 from a child’s perspective. Reporters asked Indigenous children around the world on how they cope during this pandemic and recorded their stories about their lives during lockdown and the daily challenges they face.
Unfinished Justice: Completing the Restoration and Acknowledgement of California Indian Tribes
The termination act of 1953 eliminated many of the treaties originally created to amend the injustices caused by the U.S. government. Beginning in the 1970’s many tribes began the long road towards federal recognition and allocation of federal resources stipulated in the treaties. This article discusses the history of the policies and the changes experienced by Native Americans.
Unratified Treaty at the Village of Temecula in California
There have been many treaties between the United States government and the Native American people throughout history. As a result many issues developed from these treaties specifically with the Luiseno tribe in Temecula, California. This document explains the history of the treaty between the U.S. government and the Pechanga tribe.
Shadows of the Sherman Institute: A Photographic History of the Indian School on Magnolia Avenue
“In this powerful work, Shadows of Sherman, the evolution of this landmark institution, the Sherman Indian High School, is presented through Lorene Sisquoc’s unparalleled lens of understanding and knowledge of the long, storied history of Sherman.” This book is co-authored by a member of our team, Dr. Cliff Trafzer, Costo Professor of American Indian Studies at the University of California, Riverside. Currently this book is available to purchase on Amazon.
American Indian Boarding School Experiences: Recent Studies from Native Perspectives
In this article, Julie Davis examines the narrative of "Indian Boarding Schools” through recent studies by David Wallace Adams, K. Tsianina Lomawaima, Brenda Child, Sally Hyer, and Esther Burnett Horne. Through the use of archival research and oral interviews, Davis works to show the history of boarding schools from an American Indian perspective, in hopes that they will uncover the meaning of boarding school education for indian children, families, and communities, past and present.
NPR: American Indian Boarding Schools Haunt Many
Many Indian children were subjected to Indian boarding schools. Most of the children were sent to Indian boarding schools located a long distance from their homes and families. This NPR is a collective conversation that accounts and describes the generational emotional repercussions as a result of growing up in a boarding school.
St Boniface Indian Boarding School
On September 1, 1890, St. Boniface opened its doors to 125 Indian students for the first time. Located in Banning CA, St. Boniface was one of two schools in the Riverside County area. Together with Sherman Indian School in Riverside, the main focus was to assimilate Native children into Anglo society by educating the children in religion and preparing them for a life of servitude to landowners and their wives. This article discusses the foundation, evolution, and history of St. Boniface.
Unfinished Justice: Completing the Restoration and Acknowledgement of California Indian Tribes
Treaties between the Native Americans and the United States Government have existed since 1774. However, in the 1970’s through the “Cohen’s criteria,” the Bureau of Indian Affairs began reassessing acknowledgement of tribes and revoking the treaties originally agreed upon, therefore denying benefits and rights to the Native people. Many California tribes have since the 1970’s sought to reclaim the rights and re-establish their people as recognized by the federal government without success. This article reviews the implications of this new policy and lists many tribes who seek federal recognition.
Silencing California Indian Genocide in Social Studies Texts
Trazfer and Lorimer (2014), discuss the events leading up to genocide against the California Indians. Devastation has routinely been ignored in textbooks and in classroom lectures at all grade levels. During the gold rush era, California Native Americans lost livestock, and plants which led to the starvation of the people. The authors conclude that additional research and documentation needs to be studied to promote an accurate account of the events suffered by the California Indian people.
Historical Trauma Among Indigenous Peoples of the Americas: Concepts, Research, and Clinical Considerations
This article delves deep into the mental and emotional issues suffered by Native Americans resulting from “lifespan trauma,” experienced as chronic unresolved grief. The authors call for additional community-based research driven by Native people and a community involved healing model.
Healing the American Indian Soul Wound
“Historical Trauma,” as described by the authors, is generational trauma suffered by Native American peoples in generation after generation. This article presents a linear timeframe of the historical events leading to generational trauma. It is multifaced and presents in physical and mental health issues resulting from health disparities, historical loss of sustenance, and loss of identity.
American Indian Health Policy: Historical Trends and Contemporary Issues
Wame and Frizzell (2014) explain the history of the American Indian health policy and review several policies and acts of Congress. Included in the data are expenditures per capita between the different insurance groups exposing the equity gaps. The article concludes with a description of the constant changes resulting in the insufficiencies and failures within the Indian Health System (HIS).