Everything you wanted to know about Indians but were afraid to ask

As the title suggests, this book contains answers to common questions non-Native people have about Native Americans–everything from “What are coming of age ceremonies?” and “Should Leonard Peltier be freed?” to questions that seem downright rude, like “Why do Indians have so many kids?” The questions are answered by the author in a personal tone. He is careful to say that he is answering from his own perspective and that if you ask a different person the same questions, you are likely to get some different answers. The book is divided into chapters on terminology, history, religion and culture, education, politics, etc., so you can skip straight to the topics that interest you, or you can read straight through (like I did).

I enjoyed reading this book. I learned plenty that I didn't know (and that I would have been afraid to ask), and I appreciated Treuer's matter of fact approach to all of the questions he addresses. In fact, I would say this is a gracious book. In his conclusion, he writes, “Don't imagine Indians, understand them. Keep asking questions, reading, listening and advocating for change. Don't tolerate stereotypes, and don't be afraid to ask everything you wanted to know about Indians. And if you're native, give a meaningful response to those questions rather than an angry rebuke. It really does make a difference.” This book models that spirit of welcoming honest questions and giving meaningful answers.

This is a great book for tweens through adults, honestly. It's written in Q&A format loosely broken into sections (like “history”, “tribal languages”, etc), which gives it almost a magazine-like feel–it's an approachable format. Some of the “questions” are like, very blunt rude things (like “Why do Indians have so many kids?”) that as the title suggests people might be afraid to ask (for good reason bc it's rude AF) but address certain pervasive stereotypes, and Treuer's answers are generous, thoughtful, helpful, and funny. He's also aware that he can speak best about his own tribe and experiences but makes it clear that every tribe and every individual American Indian person has different experiences.

This was interesting to read cover to cover but could also work great as a reference book in a classroom setting.

Pretty good as a basic overview. I can't speak to how clear the social-political-emotional information might be for beginners, as I feel confident and secure in my education on that front before entering. I'll say that the economic-political policy was an interesting primer, though of course I would love something more thorough.

I did feel some hesitancy on some of the ideas and points shared by Treuer. I absolutely disagree that there is little worth in Native fiction/film and that documentaries and nonfiction are king. I disagree on the blanket assertion that the important thing for non-natives to do when interested in cultural tourism is to simply ask an elder before seeking a “Native” name, rather than interrogating the urge to participate in that. I disagree on how Indigenous nations and bands from Central/South America are discussed and glossed over in this discussion and wish that we'd focused solely on North American Native issues rather than just vaguely allude to Central/South Americans as points of debate. 

I won't be the first to say that this is barely scratching the surface in so many ways. I wish there was a more... multi-sided look in the conversation about mascots- I work for a college that has a “Native” mascot because there is a legal-financial agreement with the relevant Nation, and I'd love to hear a centrist perspective on that (regardless of my opinions and the opinions of the leftist Indigenous folks I follow). I wish there was more of a conversation about Nations that have engaged in controversial economic deals with the BIA and Congress around nuclear and fossil fuels, especially when thinking about land stewardship. I wish there were leftist and conservative Indigenous takes on these questions, though I appreciate Treuer's point that he does not speak for all Native Americans. I wish there was a conversation about tribes that are not federally recognized that was more thorough, especially in conjunction with blood quantum. I know this book is a little dated, but I wish there had been more of a conversation about the Landback movement and the “AIM” movement that didn't dance around their more pointed protests and ideas.

As I expected, this would have been better for me to read in high school, rather than now.