American Indians and National Parks

by Robert H. Keller, Michael F. Turek

Many national parks and monuments tell unique stories of the struggle between the rights of native peoples and the wants of the dominant society. These stories involve our greatest parks—Yosemite, Yellowstone, Mesa Verde, Glacier, the Grand Canyon, Olympic, Everglades—as well as less celebrated parks elsewhere. In American Indians and National Parks , authors Robert Keller and Michael Turek relate these untold tales of conflict and collaboration. American Indians and National Parks details specific relationships between native peoples and national parks, including land claims, hunting rights, craft sales, cultural interpretation, sacred sites, disposition of cultural artifacts, entrance fees, dams, tourism promotion, water rights, and assistance to tribal parks. Beginning with a historical account of Yosemite and Yellowstone, American Indians and National Parks reveals how the creation of the two oldest parks affected native peoples and set a pattern for the century to follow. Keller and Turek examine the evolution of federal policies toward land preservation and explore provocative issues surrounding park/Indian relations. When has the National Park Service changed its policies and attitudes toward Indian tribes, and why? How have environmental organizations reacted when native demands, such as those of the Havasupai over land claims in the Grand Canyon, seem to threaten a national park? How has the Park Service dealt with native claims to hunting and fishing rights in Glacier, Olympic, and the Everglades? While investigating such questions, the authors traveled extensively in national parks and conducted over 200 interviews with Native Americans, environmentalists, park rangers, and politicians. They meticulously researched materials in archives and libraries, assembling a rich collection of case studies ranging from the 19th century to the present. In American Indians and National Parks , Keller and Turek tackle a significant and complicated subject for the first time, presenting a balanced and detailed account of the Native-American/national-park drama. This book will prove to be an invaluable resource for policymakers, conservationists, historians, park visitors, and others who are concerned about preserving both cultural and natural resources.

Genres: History, Indigenous, Native Americans

319 pages, Paperback

First published August 1, 1998

Reviews

[David Koerner · Rating 3 out of 5]

A useful history of selected park-tribal interactions before its publication date of 1998. Paints a detailed picture of the problems posed by a history of native mistreatment, sentimental association with "nature," and the myriad difficulties posed by modernization. Various solutions tried before the mid-90's are used to illustrate. None are very satisfactory. Although many pre-modern native practices could be compatible with national park preservation goals, it's ridiculous to expect native Americans to live that way in the modern world. "To seek an 'enforced primitivism' in natives and treat them as museum pieces serves to suspend people in time. It leads to an unjust demand that Indians who adapt to modern culture should forfeit all rights" [to land associated with the national park system]. This book clarifies this problem if it doesn't exactly solve it!

[Sara · Rating 3 out of 5]

The writing is dry, and it's pretty slow going, even though nearly half of the page count is footnotes! Regardless of that, this is an interesting look at the history of native American populations and some of the major national parks, and the influence of the BIA and the NPS on the two. There's a lot of thought-provoking info to be found here, especially for those familiar with the Grand Canyon, Canyon de Chelly, Olympic, Glacier, and Everglades park units.

[Kristen · Rating 3 out of 5]

very focused on bureaucracy and administration of parks, reservations, land... would rather have learned more about the history of the native americans in the areas that are now parks before they were parks.

[Krista]

Eh. Didn't finish.