Presidential Rhetoric and Indian Policy

Anne F. Boxberger Flaherty is an Associate Professor of Political Science and Public Policy at Merrimack College, Massachusetts, United States. Flaherty’s research focuses on indigenous peoples’ politics, primarily Native nations in the United States. Her publications include research on media and political perceptions of Indian gaming, issues of race and citizenship in the Cherokee nation, and intergovernmental conflict and cooperation between states and Native nations over jurisdiction for taxation.

• 1 An Introduction to Presidential Rhetoric in the Self-Determination Era 2 Presidential Rhetoric and Native Nations 3 The “Great Father”: Presidents, Rhetoric, and Policy in History 4 A “New and Coherent Strategy”: Presidents in the Self-Determination Era 5 Analysis of Presidential Rhetoric in the Self-Determination Era 6 Federal Actions in the Self-Determination Era 7 The Biden Presidency and the Future of Self-Determination Policy

"Dr Flaherty’s use of presidential rhetoric to better understanding federal/tribal relations adds valuable insight into this important policy area."Richard Witmer, Rev. John P. Schlegel, SJ, Distinguished Professor in Politics and Government, Creighton University"Presidential Rhetoric and Indian Policy provides a methodologically rich approach to presidential rhetoric on native nations that significantly expands our understanding of presidential rhetoric, native nations, and federal policy. Flaherty shows us how, despite Nixon’s establishment of a policy of self-determination over 50 years ago, most presidents have either ignored or inconsistently discussed these important issues. It is a sobering story of how a lack of rhetorical and policy focus on native nations has left the promise of the self-determination era unrealized."Dr Nathan Angelo, Assistant Professor of Political Science at Worcester State University