American Apartheid: The Native American Struggle for Self-Determination and Inclusion

In recent years, events such as the siege at Standing Rock and the Dakota Access pipeline have thrust Native Americans into the public consciousness. Taking us beyond the headlines, American Apartheid offers the most comprehensive and compelling account of the issues and threats that Native Americans face today, as well as their heroic battle to overcome them. Author Stephanie Woodard details the ways in which the federal government, states and counties curtail Native voting rights, which, in turn, keeps tribal members from participating in policy-making surrounding education, employment, rural transportation, infrastructure projects and other critical issues affecting their communities. This system of apartheid has staggering consequences, as Natives are, per capita, the population group that is most likely to be shot by police, suffer violent victimization by outsiders, be incarcerated, and have their children taken away. On top of this, indigenous people must also fight constantly to protect the sacred sites and landscapes that hold their cultural memories and connect their spirituality to the nation's mountains, plains, waterways and coastlines. Despite these many obstacles, American Apartheid offers vivid pictures of diverse Native American communities that embody resilience, integrity, and the survival of ancient cultures.

"American Apartheid brilliantly defines the broken system of justice for Native people in the United States." —Louise Erdrich

"With its combination of reportage and historical context, Stephanie Woodard's American Apartheid reveals not only the extraordinary difficulties under which First Americans labor, but also how and why the problems arose. The book also shows us the vital cultures that allow Native people to face their challenges—including their all-important voting-rights struggle—with courage and determination. The United States has enacted many treaties with tribes nationwide, and we must continue to honor these obligations and allow our Native citizens to improve their lives." —U.S. Senator Tom Daschle