American Indian Studies

Even as interest in the powerful, often tragic history of Native America grows, many books continue to perpetuate long-standing misconceptions of the past as well as the romantic stereotypes often popularized today. Readers can now rely on Encyclopedia of North American Indians for an authentic and often surprising portrait of the complexities of the Native American experience.

Categorized into eight geographical regions, this encyclopedic reference examines the history, beliefs, traditions, languages, and lifestyles of indigenous peoples of North America.

As sovereign entities living amid larger societies, Indian reservations -- and the lifestyle of the inhabitants within -- prompt curiosity among outsiders. American Indians also have a sense of community that often creates further separation from surrounding non-Native areas. Not surprisingly, these factors fuel the enigmatic reputation of tribal nations and contribute to the disparate way of life between Indians and their North American neighbors. Despite the fact that 565 federally-recognized tribes exist on the continent of North America, non-Native Americans typically know very little about the modern world of American Indians.

Combining the work of Native Americans and non-Native scholars, this reference work explores indigenous North American religions, religious practices, and rituals.