How the World Moves: The Odyssey of an American Indian Family

by Peter Nabokov

A compelling portrait of cultural transition and assimilation via the saga of one Acoma Pueblo Indian family

Born in 1861 in New Mexico’s Acoma Pueblo, Edward Proctor Hunt lived a tribal life almost unchanged for centuries. But after attending government schools he broke with his people’s ancient codes to become a shopkeeper and controversial broker between Indian and white worlds. As a Wild West Show Indian he travelled in Europe with his family, and saw his sons become silversmiths, painters, and consultants on Indian Lore. In 1928, in a life-culminating experience, he recited his version of the origin myth of Acoma Pueblo to Smithsonian Institution scholars.

Nabokov narrates the fascinating story of Hunt’s life within a multicultural and historical context. Chronicling Pueblo Indian life and Anglo/Indian relations over the last century and a half, he explores how this entrepreneurial family capitalized on the nation’s passion for Indian culture. In this rich book, Nabokov dramatizes how the Hunts, like immigrants throughout history, faced anguishing decisions over staying put or striking out for economic independence, and experienced the pivotal passage from tradition to modernity.

Genres: History, Biography, Nonfiction, Native American, Indigenous, Cultural

560 pages, Hardcover

First published August 25, 2015

About the author

Peter Nabokov is professor of American Indian Studies and World Arts and Cultures at UCLA. His previous books include A Forest of Time, Native American Testimony, Native American Architecture (with Robert Easton), Indian Running, Two Leggings: The Making of a Crow Warrior, and Architecture of Acoma Pueblo

Reviews

[Kaethe]

"Hunt never had the permission of the pueblo to impart any Acoma sacred information to anyone, much less to the Bureau of Ethnology for publication. The pueblo has always considered this publication by the Bureau of Ethnology to be a fundamental breach of trust by the United States. It is a glaring example of the unfortunate and ugly incidents of the late 19th century involving archaeologists and anthropologists, personified by the likes of Frank Cushing at Zuni.

The Origin Myth of the Pueblo of Acoma is the intellectual property of the pueblo, not the property of the United States, and surely not the property of Hunt or Nabokov to reproduce. The pueblo today has grave uncertainty as to Hunt’s actual knowledge about Acoma beliefs, as he left the pueblo at an early age to attend school, and thereafter chose not to participate in the activities where traditional knowledge is passed on to the younger generations.

This concern is strengthened by the many inaccuracies in the book. It is a product of the complete disregard and disrespect for the community, which Nabokov’s book builds upon. It is not, as your article suggests, a book for the pueblo youth to learn about the Acoma origin beliefs. Instead, it is a modern-day example of sensationalized disrespect and disregard of tribal culture, community and sovereignty."

Fred S. Vallo Sr. is governor of Acoma Pueblo.

[Pam Mooney · Rating 5 out of 5]

This is the best history book I have ever read. You really get a true picture of the how this family endured as culture shifts occurred in the American Southwest. What is special about this narration is that you get to know the how and why behind the events. You actually learn how people reacted and felt in what feels like real time. The author paints the picture of the homes, clothing, thoughts, events in such a way that the reader becomes part of the story. I loved so much I shared with friends and it became a take-a-long book. We read on the bus, the beach, and on break at work. That this should happen with a history book is priceless.

[R.G. Ziemer · Rating 3 out of 5]

I enjoyed this book for the history, and for the great insights into the lives of Native Americans who have had to choose their paths. For those not familiar with the history of the Southwest or the Pueblo people, this could be a valuable resource, as it relates the story of the village of Acoma from ancient times to the present. That alone is a lot to take on, so Nabokov deserves extra difficulty points for this overview. The focus, though, is on the Acoman Edward Hunt and his family. Hunt was one of the Indian boys who, sent away to boarding school, came back changed: Americanized, Catholic, bereft of the spiritual ties to the land that bore him -- yet still unaccepted by white society, and relegated to whatever roles white society thought appropriate from one time and place to another. As a result, Hunt couldn't fulfill his traditional role as a puebloan, couldn't perform his duties after being initiated into the secret societies of Acoma. Instead, he tried to bridge both worlds as a shopkeeper, running trading posts in a number of locations, being the kind of Indian his white neighbors could tolerate, and never being accepted back in Acoma as a full citizen. Hunt's story is fascinating, as, from Oklahoma to Europe he performed in a Wild West Show in buckskins and Sioux headdresses. He did productions of "Indian Lore" for Boy Scouts and Campfire Girls. And most egregiously, for the Acomans, he related origin stories and sacred rites to researchers at the Smithsonian Institution, among others. As a result he would never be accepted back into the fold. His children would also follow different paths to find their own ways. The story ends as it must, and the sad part to me is the knowledge that Hunt was just one representative of so many Native Americans in the same position. Whether torn from their heritage forcibly, or by choice, by circumstance or changing times, thousands have struggled somewhere in between cultures. And even though we live in a time of computers and cell phones, you know there is still a gap where many must flounder.

[Tom · Rating 4 out of 5]

The author tells the history of Acoma Pueblo Indians and their mesa top settlement through the life of member Edward Hunt, who was sent to a white Christian school, then upon return to the pueblo, was rejected by the tribe. The history of the many Pueblo tribes of New Mexico is fascinating. They were the first people to instigate a successful revolution against their Spanish oppressors, almost a century before the Revolutionary War.

[Phoebe · Rating 5 out of 5]

Carefully researched, painstakingly pieced together into a fascinating portrait, this book is a must-read for anyone who is interested in the Southwest and in particular New Mexico and its history. Edward Hunt, born Day Break to the isolated, ancient Acoma people in 1861, is the central figure around which Nabokov writes, but there is so much history and detail provided for context that it is easy to be sidetracked by these many interesting facts. Day Break, like many children of his time, was sent to Indian school and there indoctrinated into white religion, dress, and lifestyle, and when he finally returned home to Acoma Pueblo, found that he could not quite slip back into old ways. Business ventures like storekeeping and later, a wild west circus show that took his family all over Europe, were pragmatic choices for survival. Many extraordinary black and white photos sprinkle the text and certainly these are rare images. Adult.

[Delta · Rating 3 out of 5]

Oh, man. This is no easy read. Even the most dedicated history buff might feel a bit bogged down with all the details and facts in this 500+ page book (with many pages of references). And I was put off that there was almost no mention of the women in this long family line, but Nabokov addressed that in his Post Script. While I'm disappointed that we have all these chapters about the men in the family, I suppose there's no helping it if your historian is no longer around to talk to you.

**I received a copy of this book in exchange for an honest review.**

[Katie · Rating 5 out of 5]

I won this book via first reads. Its a really interesting story about American Indians and provides a perspective I hadn't seen before. I'm glad I read it. I found parts of it shocking. I was expecting just a basic historical account, but it provided a first person view of what it was like for American Indians. I would definitely recommend it!

[Michelle · Rating 4 out of 5]

Whew. This one took me a while to make it through. I did like it, although it was a challenge to finish. It was well written; it was meticulously researched. I learned a LOT from it, but I think it was heavier on the accompanying mythology, social history, etc. than it was the story of a family. I learned a lot of THINGS but feel like I'm only passing acquainted with the Hunts themselves.

[Sally H.]

An interesting historical book about an Indian and his life.

[Blaine Morrow · Rating 3 out of 5]

I found this tedious reading, although the research and depth of information is impressive.

[Carmen · Rating 5 out of 5]

Fantastic book about an Acoma Indian family, the Hunts, told in a very positive way, although much that happened was not good. It begins in 1861 with Edward "Dad" Hunt's birth, and describes his life in the Acoma Pueblo, and how he was sent to school at a young age in Albuquerque. It was difficult for him because he was changed when he returned to the pueblo. I am amazed by how adaptive and innovative he was throughout his life, and what a wonderful family he raised. There is no other story like it!