North American Indians and Protestant Missions among Them

Muskrat Bronson Ruth . Indians Are People, Too. N.Y., Friendship Press, 1944. 184 p.

Written by the daughter of a Cherokee, this book was a mission study guide for 1944–45. A popular and readable plea for improved relations between Indians and whites - a plea for true freedom for a people who have yet to taste the full fruits of complete democracy.

John Collier ,. Indians of the Americas; the Long Hope. (Mentor Book, M33) N.Y., The New American Library, 1948. 191 p.

A panoramic survey of North American Indian history, society, and problems which was written by a former U. S. Commissioner of Indian Affairs, It received an award for one of the two “best works on race published in (1947).“.”

Munroe Cory David . Within Two Worlds. N.Y., Friendship Press, 1955. 177 p.

This mission study book is similar in scope and content to Lindquist's, The Indian in American Life (see below). It provides a survey of the cultural, religious, and political history of American Indians, the work of Christian missions, and an analysis of the present situation.

Everett Dale Edward . The Indians of the Southwest; a Century of Development Under the United States. Norman, University of Oklahoma Press, 1949. 203 p.

“A broad general survey of the more important aspects of one hundred years of Indian administration in the Southwest, with special emphasis on those activities which have proved of permanent value.“ Begins with the acquisition of the Mexican Territory in 1848.

Angie Debo ,. And Still the Waters Run. Princeton, N.J., Princeton University Press, 1940. 417 p.

An attempt at objective history which is concerned primarily with the relations between the U.S. Government and the Five Civilized Tribes of the Indian Territory (Oklahoma). “The policy of the United States in liquidating the institutions of the Five Tribes was a gigantic blunder that ended a hopeful experiment in Indian development, destroyed a unique civilization, and degraded thousands of individuals.”

Angie Debo ,. The Road to Disappearance. Norman, University of Oklahoma Press, 1951. 399 p.

Based on thorough and scholarly research, this history of the Creek Nation is both interesting and valuable. The story of the Creeks is probably typical of the major events in the lives and history of most of the American Indian tribes. Includes considerable information about missionary work among the Creeks.

Dexter Earle F. Doors Toward the Sunrise. N.Y., Friendship Press, 1955. 116 p.

While this mission study book describes work among the Navaho Indians of Arizona and New Mexico, the incidents and insights are applicable to many other American tribes. It is a “journal of some of the highlights of experiences with Indian youth over nearly a quarter of a century,” and attempts to illustrate the changes and future potential which typify the life and culture of the American Indians.

Douglas Frederic H. , and D'Harnonecurt René . Indian Art of the United States. N.Y., Museum of Modern Art, 1941. 204 p.

A well-illustrated monograph based on the premise that “(the Indian's 1 heritage constitutes part of the artistic and spiritual wealth of this country, land) that the Indian people of today have a contribution to make toward the America of the future.“ To read the text and examine the fine illustrations is to be convinced.

Embree Edwin R. Indians of the Americas; Historical Pageant. Boston, Houghton Mifflin, 1939. 260 p.

An engaging account of the origins and cultural heritage of the Indians. It includes in its scope the Maya, Aztec and Inca civilizations of Latin America as well as the following North American groups - the Indians of the Western Plains, the Five Nations of Iroquois, and the Pueblo Indians. A reviewer said, “One aspect of Mr. Embree's narrative is its freedom from professionalism… he writes life - life that he makes real and vital. His Indians are human beings.”

Hulbert A. B. , and Schwarze William Nathaniel , eds. David Zeisberger's History of the Northern American Indians. Columbus, Ohio State Archeological and Historical Society, 1910, 189 p.

An example of the thorough scholarship and the boundless energy of early missionaries. “On reading his manuscript, one is inclined to believe thoroughly in Zeisberger's proposition that no one could get at the real facts concerning the inner life of the red men unless engaged in the work of converting them.”

Winifred Hulbert ,. Indian Americans. N.Y., Friendship Press, 1932. 161 p.

An attempt to aid the growing desire of white people to understand the Indian's point of view, and the desire of the Indians to be understood. This book shows “some of life's daily problems as seen through the eyes of representative members of the larger tribes.”

Kelsey Rayner Wickersham . Friends and the Indians, 1655–1917. Philadelphia, Associated Executive Committee of Friends on Indian Affairs, 1917. 291 p.

If there is any single group of early American settlers who can be highly commended for their relations with and treatment of the American Indian, it is the Society of Friends, This history of their life and work with the Indians is a record of peace, friendship, and mutual respect.

Kinney J. P. A Continent Lost - A Civilization Won. Baltimore, Md., Johns Hopkins Press, 1937. 366 p.

A careful study of “Indian land tenure from the time of the earliest settlements on the Atlantic Coast to the present time.”

Oliver La Farge . As Long as the Grass Shall Grow. N.Y., Longmans, Green, 1940. 140 p.

A magnificent series of photographs by HelenM. Post, combined with a provocative and illuminating text. Mr. La Farge recounts what the white man has done to and for the American Indian and what Indians are now doing for themselves.

Oliver La Farge ., ed. The Changing Indian. Norman, University of Oklahoma Press, 1942. 184 p.

A series of monographs presented at a symposium arranged by the American Association on Indian Affairs. The articles represent varied viewpoints, and the coverage of Indian life and affairs is broad. Good for insight into the problems and potentials of today's American Indians.

Lindquist G. E. E. A Handbook for Missionary Workers Among the American Indians. N.Y., Home Missions Council and Council of Women for Home Missions, 1932. 87 p.

Designed especially for new recruits entering the field, this valuable survey booklet was later revised (see below).

Lindquist G. E. E. The Indian in American Life. N.Y., Friendship Press, 1944. 180 p.

There are chapters included on “Cultural Backgrounds,” “Indian-White Relations,” “Educational Developments and Trends,” “The Christian Contribution to Indian Life,” and an appendix which highlights the history of mission work among the American Indians. A map gives the location of all tribes and reservations in the United States and Alaska. A good bibliography is appended.

Lindquist G. E. E. Indians in Transition. N.Y., NCCCUSA, 1950. 117 p.

“A study of Protestant Missions to Indians in the United States.” A critical and factual survey which includes a complete list of mission agencies working with Indians.

Lindquist G. E. E. New Trails for Old; a Handbook for Missionary Workers Among the American Indians. Rev. ed. N.Y., Division of Home Missions, NCCCUSA, 1952. 82 p.

Revision of a very valuable and interesting handbook which provides a good survey of the history and culture of the American Indians, missionary work by Protestant churches, and problems which must be faced. Includes a good bibliography and a chronology of American Indian history.

Lindquist G. E. E. , ed. The Red Man in the United States. N.Y., George H. Doran, 1923.

“Intimate study of the social, economic, and religious life of the American Indian,” begun under the auspices of the Interchurch World Movement and completed by the Committee on Social and Religious Surveys. It is a careful, exhaustive, and scholarly piece of work.

Martin Paul S. , et al. Indians before Columbus. Chicago, The University of Chicago Press, 1947. 582 p.

“Twenty thousand years of North American history revealed by archeology.“ Although written as an introductory textbook in archeology, this work provides a good survey background which will help the reader understand the heritage of of the American Indians.

McKenney Thomas L. , and James Hall ,. The Indian Tribes of North America. 3 vols. Edinburgh, John Grant, 1934. 442; 458; 355 p.

The first two volumes consist of reproduced oil portraits and biographical sketches of over 100 Indian leaders; both the portraits and biographical data were obtained during the lifetime of these Indian leaders. Volume 3 contains an extensive study of the history of the Indian tribes of North America and includes two maps: “The Localities of the Indian Tribes of the United States in 1833” and “The United States showing Indian Reservations, 1906.”

Margaret Mead ,. The Changing Culture of an Indian Tribe. N.Y., Columbia University Press, 1932. 313 p.

Typical of the careful work and scholarship expected from this gifted anthropologist. The material for this study was collected while Miss Mead lived on an Indian reservation and studied the impact of western civilization on Indian oulture.

Lewis Meriam , and, Hinman George W. Facing the Future in Indian Missions. N.Y., Council of Women for Home Missions and Missionary Education Movement, 1932. 224 p.

Part I, by Meriam, is titled “A Social Outlook on Indian Missions” and Part II, by Hinman, deals with “The Church and the Indian.” Although somewhat outdated, this brief book is valuable in that it combines the outlook of two concerns for the American Indian - the U.S. Government (Meriam) and Christian missions (Hinman).

Lewis Meriam , and, Hinman George W. , and associates. The Problem of Indian Administration. (Institute for Government Research, Studies in Administration) Baltimore, Md., Johns Hopkins Press, 1928. 872 p.

This official report, made at the request of the Secretary of the Interior, includes a survey of missionary work among the American Indians. It is critical in its evaluation, but positive and detailed in its recommendations.

Murdock George Peter . Ethnographic Bibliography of North America. (Behavior Science Bibliographies) 2nd ed. New Haven, Conn., Human Relations Area Files, 1953. 239 p.

This extensive bibliography is arranged by areas and tribes, and includes entries for the Indians of Alaska and Canada.

Swanton John R. The Indian Tribes of North America. (Smithsonian Institution, Bureau of American Ethnology, Bulletin 145) Washington, D.C., Government Printing Office, 1952. 726 p.

A detailed study of American Indians, this work deals with the complex nature of tribes, sub-tribes, and confederations. An extensive bibliography is included.

Turner Katharine C. Red Men Calling on the Great White Father. Norman, University of Oklahoma Press, 1951. 235 p.

The history of Indian administration is recounted through reports of visits by Indians to various American Presidents from Washington to Taft.

Underbill Ruth Murray . Red Man's America; a History of Indians in the United States. Chicago, University of Chicago Press, 1953. 400 p.

Written for the general reader, this book presents highlights in the history of the American Indians, and attempts to see this history through the eyes of the Indian rather than the white man.

Clark Wissler ,. The American Indian; an Introduction to the Anthropology of the New World. N.Y., Douglas C. McMurtrie, 1917. 435 p.

Written by the one-time Curator of Anthropology in the American Museum of Natural History, this study is a “general summary of anthropological research in the New World.”

Clark Wissler ,. Indians of the United States; Four Centuries of Their History and Culture. (The American Museum of Natural History Science Series) Garden City, N.Y., Doubleday, 1918. 319 p.

This book attempts to “specialize in the Indians of the United States, portray their struggles to resist the advancing frontier, describe their mode of life and its modifications due to residing among white people, and, finally, to give some account of the Indian personalities of the time.”

David Zeisberger ,. Diary of David Zeisberger. Translated from the German and edited by Bliss Eugene F. 2 vols. Cincinnati, Ohio, Robert Clarke, 1885. 464; 535 p.

This “Moravian missionary among the Indians of Ohio” was one of the earliest to carry the Gospel to the indigenous peoples of North America. Although limited to a particular area, the book contains much which typifies early attempts to Christianize the Indians.