Books in Native American Heroes series

Charles Eastman, or Hakadah, as his Sioux relatives and fellow tribesmen knew him, as a full-blooded Indian boy learned the reticent manners and stoical ways of patience and bravery expected of every young warrior in the 1870's and 1880's. The hunts, games, and ceremonies of his native tribe were all he knew of life until his father, who had spent time with the white man, came to find him.Indian Boyhood is Eastman's first-hand reminiscence of the life he led until he was fifteen with the nomadic Sioux. Left motherless at birth, he tells how his grandmother saved him from relatives who offered to care for him "until he died." It was that grandmother who sang him the traditional Indian lullabies which are meant to cultivate bravery in all male babies, who taught him not to cry at night (for fear of revealing the whereabouts of the Sioux camp to hostile tribes), and who first explained to him some of the skills he would need to survive as an adult in the wilds. Eastman remembers the uncle who taught him the skills of the hunt and the war-path, and how his day began at first light, when his uncle would startle him from sleep with a terrifying whoop, in response to which the young boy was expected to jump fully alert to his feet, and rush outside, bow in hand, returning the yell that had just awakened him. Yet all Indian life did not consist in training and discipline. In time of abundance and even in famine, Indian children had much time for sport and games of combat — races, lacrosse, and wrestling were all familiar to Eastman and his childhood friends.Here too are observations about Indian character, social custom, and morality. Eastman describes the traditional arrangements by which the tribe governed itself — its appointed police force, hunting and warrior scouts, and its tribal council, and how the tribe supported these officers with a kind of taxation. Eastman also includes family and tribal legends of adventure, bravery, and nature that he heard in the lodge of Smoky Day, the tribe historian. But Eastman's own memories of attacks by hostile tribes, flights from the white man's armies, and the dangers of the hunt rival the old legends in capturing a vision of life now long lost.

Naturalist and artist Ernest Thompson Seton was a founding pioneer of the Boy Scouts of America who introduced many elements of Native American lore to scouting rituals. In this comprehensive collection of his most interesting stories, crafts, games, and other activities related to outdoor life, Seton offers a respectful and informative tribute to Native American culture. More than 500 of his drawings illustrate this practical guide for campers of all ages. In addition to briefly outlining the principles of scouting, Seton discusses Indian customs and laws as well as songs, dances, and ceremonies. He suggests both indoor and outdoor activities and provides a wealth of information on Indian sign language and games, campfire tales, forestry, and many other captivating facts and fancies.

Sitting Bull is best known for his part in the Battle of the Little Bighorn. He continually resisted the US governments mandate that all Native Americans must move to reservations they set up. Sitting Bull became an important leader to his people, the Lakota, and a symbol to others who wished to resist the US laws as well. With an emphasis on the Native American experience, this volume introduces readers to Sitting Bull and his cause. Important events are enhanced by historical images and collected in a timeline to aid understanding of a trying time in US history.

Sharply critical of the United States government's cruelty toward Native Americans, this monumental study describes the maltreatment of Indians as far back as the American Revolution. Focusing on the Delaware and the Cheyenne, the text goes on to document and deplore the sufferings of the Sioux, Nez Percé, Ponca, Winnebago, and Cherokee — in the process revealing a succession of broken treaties, the government's forced removal of tribes from choice lands, and other examples of inhuman treatment of the nation's 300,000 Indians. Stirring and eloquently stated, A Century of Dishonor was written in the hope of righting the wrongs inflicted upon this nation's first inhabitants. Within a year following its publication (1881), the book helped create the powerful Indian Rights Association. Decades later, author and critic Allen Nevins described the volume as "one of the soundest and most exhaustive works" ever written about Indian rights. Still a valuable reference, this book will be welcomed by students, historians, and others interested in the plight of Native Americans.

The life of the Indian boy — living close to nature, learning the ways of the wild animals, playing games and learning stories that developed the strength of body and spirit — has long been noted for its ability to develop character. In this book Charles Eastman ("Ohiyesa"), a full-blooded Sioux Indian raised as a young warrior in the 1870's and 80's, describes that life — the lessons he learned, games he played, and feelings about life that he developed as he worked to become a young Indian scout.Among the many areas of craft and lore described are the physical training of young boys, making friends with the wild animals, learning the language of footprints, hunting with slingshot and bow and arrow, trapping and fishing, making canoes, setting up camp, building wigwams and other shelters, making fire without matches and cooking without pots, blazing a trail, using Indian signals, gesture language and picture-writing, reading the signs of nature and storytelling, as well as information on winter and summer sports of the Indian boys, names and ceremonies of Indian boys and Indian girls, and the etiquette of the wigwam. Throughout, not only the practices but the reasons and feelings behind them are described. Twenty seven illustrations show many of the crafts and signs described.Scouts and others who enjoy camping and learning the lessons of outdoor life will find in this book not only new ideas but a feeling of life as it was lived by young Indian boys and girls nearly a century ago. In learning the lessons described in this book you will make new discoveries — about nature, about outdoor life, and about yourself.

Easy-to-read text and colorful illustrations and photos teach readers about Cahuilla history, traditions, and modern life. This book describes society and family structure, hunting and gathering methods, and ceremonies and rituals. Readers will learn about Cahuilla homes, clothing, and crafts such as pottery and baskets. A traditional myth is included, as are descriptions of famous Cahuilla leaders Chief Cabezon and Juan Antonio and American poet and novelist Helen Hunt Jackson. Wars, weapons, and contact with Europeans are discussed. Topics including European influence, assimilation, missionaries, the formation of reservations, and federal recognition are also addressed. In addition, modern Cahuilla culture and still-celebrated traditions including fiestas are introduced. Cahuilla homelands are illustrated with a detailed map of the United States. Bold glossary terms and an index accompany engaging text. This book is written and illustrated by Native Americans, providing authentic perspectives of the Cahuilla.