Books on Native Americans

October 2, 2006 5:44 AM

Looking for advice on some good books about Native American Indians.

More specifically, for something that focuses on cultural aspects (which I realise varied between tribes, but a focus on particular tribes or indeed on general practises are both fine with me, both would be ever better) – I’m looking for info on all aspects such as art, mythology, spirituality, social structure, laws, morals, hunting practises, and I’m also especially interested in information about their use of drugs like peyote, psilocybin (the sacred mushroom) and ololiuqui (similar to LSD, although I’m led to believe that it was more common amongst native Mexicans) – also, post-colonial history doesn’t really interest me so much, but pre-colonial is good.

Thanks!

posted by heylight to society & culture (12 comments total)

"Cultural aspects" is a wide net--is there a region of North America, or a particular native goup, that interest you?
posted by LarryC at 6:06 AM on October 2, 2006

I enjoyed The Mescalero Apaches. It is, of course, quite specific to that tribe. I see it's part of a series so maybe that's a good direction to explore.
posted by Skyanth at 6:10 AM on October 2, 2006

Be sure to also check out this previos AskMe thread.
posted by ericb at 7:17 AM on October 2, 2006

post-colonial history doesn’t really interest me so much, but pre-colonial is good.

I just finished reading 1491; it would cover a lot of the things you're looking for.
posted by mcwetboy at 7:47 AM on October 2, 2006

LarryC: No, not really. I don't know anything about any particular groups, I'm simply interested in the stuff I listed - if there's a comprehensive of study of one tribe (e.g. what Skyanth listed) I'm cool with that, or if there's a general overview of Native American cultural practices I'm cool with that too. And, as I said, any emphasis on the use of mind-altering plants would also be good.
posted by heylight at 7:55 AM on October 2, 2006

I would recommend the three volumes of The Columbia Guides to American Indian History and Culture.
posted by mattbucher at 8:07 AM on October 2, 2006

There is a novel called Fools Crow by James Welch about a tribe of Blackfeet and their cultural practices. It is set post-civil war, but this specific tribe has remained removed from westward migration. Large parts of the book are about traditional practices and feature long discussions of religious mythology among the Blackfeet.
posted by rabbitsnake at 9:11 AM on October 2, 2006

Since LarryC is being modest, I'll point out that he's a professor specializing in American Indian History, and he has written a book called "Plateau Indians and the Quest for Spiritual Power".
posted by louigi at 11:04 AM on October 2, 2006

I would second 1491, and additionally I would suggest the book "Black Elk Speaks" which was written by a Chyenne (I am not positive, it has been a while), generally it is about some of the rituals of an upper plains tribe.
posted by BobbyDigital at 11:09 AM on October 2, 2006

I've heard really good things about 500 Nations (it also got produced as a miniseries).
posted by metabrilliant at 5:06 PM on October 2, 2006

D'oh. The book was a companion to the series. Whoops.
posted by metabrilliant at 5:07 PM on October 2, 2006

Hopi, by Suzanne and Jake Page, is excellent.
posted by Tufa at 6:58 PM on October 2, 2006