Medicine, Education, and the Arts in Contemporary Native America

Clifford E. Trazer is distinguished professor of history and Rupert Costo Chair in American Indian Affairs at the University of California, Riverside. Donna L. Akers (Choctaw) is professor at the University of Texas at Arlington. Amanda K. Wixon (Chickasaw) and is Ph.D. candidate in history at the University of California, Riverside.

• PrefaceIntroductionChapter 1 American Artist, Pueblo Potter: Maria Antonia Montoya Martinez (?-1980) by Emily Molesworth-TeipeChapter 2 A Bridge Between Worlds: Mourning Dove (c. 1888 – d. 1936) by Amanda K. WixonChapter 3 Premier Basket Artist: Elsie Comanche Allen (b. 1899 – d. 1990) by Meranda RobertsChapter 4 Dancing Activist: Maria Tallchief (b. 1925 – d. 2013) by Michelle LorimerChapter 5 Native Woman, Native Voices: Paula Gunn Allen (b. 1939 – d. 2008) by Hal Hoffman and Clifford E. TrafzerChapter 6 Poet Warrior: Joy Harjo (b. 1951-) by Christie Time FirthaChapter 7 Civil Justice: Louise Erdrich (b. 1954-) by Christie Time FirthaChapter 8 The Voice of a Generation: Indigenous Singer-Songwriter, Actor, Activist and Icon, Buffy Sainte-Marie (b. 1941 -) by Kimberly Norris GuererroChapter 9 A Woman of Vision: Vivienne Jake by Daisy OcampoChapter 10 Mary Jim Chapman (Xínstanik): Preserving the Memory of Snake River Country (c. 1910 – 2000) by Benjamin T. JenkinsChapter 11 Cultural

This edited work presents generally short biographical studies of 20 quite extraordinary Native American/First Nations women who have contributed creatively and productively to the humanities, science, education, medicine, and community work, each with a sharp focus on social justice. Trafzer, Akers, and Wixon frame these diverse women, born collectively between the late 19th century and 1960, in an introduction centered on the prominence of women and female spiritual principles throughout all Indigenous societies, spanning diverse times and places. Brief sketches of the women are woven throughout the introduction, highlighting the influences of those with whom each woman worked and collaborated. Overall, the book demonstrates how these women addressed and resisted the ravages of infectious disease, medical and educational neglect and malpractice, racism, sexism, assimilation, and other interlocking expressions of discrimination on behalf of their broader communities. The approach of seeking historical understanding through biographical analysis is successful. Recommended. All readers.