American Indian Studies Library Research Guide
Diversity & Ethnic Studies

by Susan A. Vega García
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This is a selected list of specialized reference resources that are useful for beginning research in American Indian studies. It points to atlases, bibliographies, indexes and abstracts, bio-bibliographies, biographical sources, chronologies, dictionaries, directories and guides, encyclopedic sources, and statistical sources. Call numbers and locations listed on this page refer to those at Iowa State University. Many of these resources may be found in (or be accessible through your own local academic institution's library. If you need help in locating or using materials, please ask your local reference librarian for assistance. Looking for American Indian videos in Parks Library?

Atlases (to locate geographic, cultural, or demographic information)

Atlas of American Diversity. Larry Hajime Shinagawa and Michael Jang. 1998. REF E184 A1 S575 1998
Provides information, data, and maps regarding population growth and projections, regional dispersion, state populations, major city concentrations, labor force participation, educational attainment, and more topics on African Americans, Asian Pacific Americans, US Latinos, American Indians, and European Americans.

Atlas of the 1990 Census. Mark T. Mattson. 1992. REF G1201 .E2 M3 1992
Includes population maps based on 1990 census data, including information specific to American Indian regional populations.

Atlas of the North American Indian. Carl Waldman; Molly Braun, illus. Rev. ed. REF E77 .W195 2000
Numerous maps, illustrations, and accompanying text depict and describe ancient indigenous cultures in North America and Mesoamerica; traditional lifeways of geographic culture areas; routes of migrations, explorations, traders; Indian wars in the U.S. and land "cessions," plus a chapter on contemporary Indians, focusing particularly on topics such as removal and reservations, tribal restoration and reorganization, urban Indians and nonreservation rural Indians, activism, gaming, and Indian cultural renewal. Includes several appendices that list contemporary Indian nations in the US and in Canada, relevant museums, historical societies, and archaeological sites, and a chronology.

Atlas of the World's Languages. Christopher Moseley, et al., eds. 1994. (REF G1046 .E3 A8 1994)
Detailed maps, outlines, essays and bibliographies concerning extinct and extant native languages. Includes a lengthy chapter on native languages of the Americas.

We the People: An Atlas of America's Ethnic Diversity. James Paul Allen. (PARKS Oversized: Ask at Circulation Desk; E184.A1 A479 1988)
Focuses on racial and ethnic populations in the US; based on data from the 1970s and 1980s.

Bibliographies, Indexes and Abstracts (to locate information in books, journals, magazines, newspapers, and elsewehere on a specific topic)

Note: There is a relative lack of current specialized indexes and abstracts in the area of American Indian studies. Please refer to the list of broad subject-oriented indexes listed on Standard Indexes to help locate information on your topic.

Anthropological Literature on Disc

Bibliography of Native North Americans on Disc [CD-ROM database, 1992- ] (Library Only; ask at REF Desk)
Versatile database provides bibliographic citations to journal articles, reports, and books pertaining to American Indians. Areas of focus include anthropology, archaeology, history, & cultures.

Ethnic NewsWatch (ISU only)
Unique and versatile source provides bibliographic citations and full text articles appearing in numerous U.S. racial and ethnic minority newspapers, newsmagazines, and some journals. The database focus is on African American, American Indian, Asian American, and U.S. Latino newspapers, though publications from many other minority groups are also included. (Click here for a current list.) Also includes a publishers' directory, circulation figures, advertising rates, and histories of individual newspapers. In English and Spanish. Coverage is from 1995 to the present, though retrospective coverage of selected periodicals dates back to 1985. Updated monthly.

Ethnographic Bibliography of North America. George Peter Murdock and Timothy J. O'Leary. (REF E77 .A11 M87 1975, vols. 1-5).
Massive five volume bibliography organized by US region. Citations point to journal articles, books, documents. Excellent source for historical research.

Native American Periodicals and Newspapers, 1828-1982 REF E77 A11 Det 1984 (new to Ref)
Union list bibliography of over one thousand American Indian newspapers and periodicals. Includes publication dates, descriptions of typical issues, publisher information, and subject focus. Also indicates libraries that own these titles.

SAGE Race Relations Abstracts (ISU only)
Now available online, via the ISU Library subscription to EBSCONet. International in scope, each issue includes bibliographical essays on specialized topics, and annotated abstracts for journal articles and books dealing with race relations. Important coverage of African American journals and scholarly topics. Broad subject index. From the Institute of Race Relations, London; Quarterly, 1975- . Online issues include vol. 24, no. 1, 1999 - present; back years are available in print in the Reference Collection under the following call number: REF HT1501 .S3x

Bio-Bibliographies (to locate biographical information on individuals as well as bibliographies for further reading)

Native American Writers of the United States. Kenneth M. Roemer, ed. (Dictionary of Literary Biography, vol. 175) REF PS3 D5x v. 175
Authoritative signed essays, biographical information, and bibliographies on over fifty American Indian writers. Focus is on contemporary authors such as Sherman Alexie, Joy Harjo, Vine Deloria Jr., Paula Gunn Allen, Ray Young Bear, Leslie Marmon Silko, Linda Hogan, and others. Includes an introductory essay on American Indian literature, and a checklist of further readings.

Biographical Sources (to locate information pertaining to the lives and life stories of specific people)

A to Z of Native American Women. Liz Sonneborn. 1998. E98.W8 S65 1998
Brief biographical entries on 100 prominent American Indian women. Includes black and white illustrations, and brief bibliographies for further reading.

Encyclopedia of Native American Biography: Six Hundred Life Stories of Important People. Bruce E. Johansen. 1997. REF E89 .J69 1997
This new source profiles six hundred individuals "... from Powhatan to Wilma Mankiller." Most entries include references for further information. Some illustrations.

Native American Women: A Biographical Dictionary. Gretchen M. Bataille, ed. (REF E98 .W8 B38 1993)
Paragraph- to page-length entries profile prominent American Indian women from the nineteenth century to the present. Each entry includes references for further reading. Appendices organize entries by birth date, occupation, tribal affiliation, and more. Includes some photographs.

Native American Writers of the United States. Kenneth M. Roemer, ed. (Dictionary of Literary Biography, vol. 175) REF PS3 D5x v. 175
Authoritative signed essays, biographical information, and bibliographies on over fifty American Indian writers. Focus is on contemporary authors such as Sherman Alexie, Joy Harjo, Vine Deloria Jr., Paula Gunn Allen, Ray Young Bear, Leslie Marmon Silko, Linda Hogan, and others. Includes an introductory essay on American Indian literature, and a checklist of further readings.

Native North American Literature: Biographical and Critical Information on Native Writers and Orators from the United States and Canada from Historical Times to the Present. Janet Witalec, et al, eds. REF PS508.I5 N38 1994

Notable Native Americans. Sharon Malinowski, ed. (REF E89 .N67 1995).
Biographical sketches of prominent historical and contemporary individuals. Entries include individual's tribal affiliation, brief bibliographies for further reading, numerous photographs; separate indices arranged by tribal group and occupation. Also includes a provocative introductory essay, "Race, Culture, and Law: The Question of American Indian Identity," by George H.J. Abrams.

Who Was Who in Native American History: Indians and Non-Indians from Early Contacts through 1900. Carl Waldman. 1990. (REF E89 .W35 1990)
Useful source for locating quick biographical information on prominent and noteworthy individuals prior to 1900. Also includes biographical sketches of numerous non-Indians. Appendices list profiled Indians by tribal affiliation, and non-Indians by their "most relevant contributions to Native American history."

Chronologies (to learn what happened when, on a particular topic)

Timelines of Native American History: Through the Centuries with Mother Earth and Father Sky. REF E77 .H395 1997
Lists various facts and information related to indigenous peoples of what is now the United States, organized by year. Covers years 20,000 B.C. through "2000 and beyond." Includes a bibliography of recommended reading.

Dictionaries (to locate definitions of words, concepts, topics and significant individuals)

ABC-CLIO Companion to the Native American Rights Movement. REF KF8203.36 .G76 1996

Turtle Island Alphabet: A Lexicon of Native American Symbols and Culture. Gerald Hausman. 1992. GEN COLL E98.R3 H27 1992

Word Dance: The Language of Native American Culture. Carl Waldman. 1994. GEN COLL E76.2 W36 1994

Directories and Guides (to locate addresses or information on organizations, individuals, topics, or an entire field of study)

American Indian Studies: A Bibliographic Guide. Phillip M. White. 1995. (GEN E77 .A11 W55x 1995)
Well-organized and exhaustive annotated guide to reference materials, organized by type of resource (e.g., bibliographies, encyclopedias, indexes, etc.). Bibliographies are organized by subject and by individual tribes. Highly useful and up to date.

American Indian Women: A Guide to Research. Gretchen M. Bataille, Kathleen M. Sands. 1991. (GEN COLL E98 .W8 A11 B38x 1991)
Authoritative annotated source organized by broad subjects lists numerous resources dealing with American Indian women.

Guide to American Indian Documents in the Congressional Serial Set: 1817-1899. Steven L. Johnson. REF KF8201 .A1 J63
Indispensable and easy to use guide for locating historical information about American Indians in the Congressional Serial Set. In the ISU Parks Library, please ask at the REF desk for a librarian to help you access the serial set itself.

Native American Genealogical Sourcebook. Paula K. Byers, ed. GEN E98.G44 N37 1995

Native Americans Information Directory. (REF E76.2 N38)
Provides addresses and phone numbers for tribal communities, national and regional organizations, government agencies, library and museum collections, research centers, publishers, journals, videos, and more. Includes sections on Alaska Natives, Native Hawaiians, and Native Canadians.

Reference Encyclopedia of the American Indian. Barry T. Klein. REF E76.2 .K5 1998
More of a directory than an encyclopedia, this resource provides numerous directory listings for national associations, schools, museums, periodicals, annual events, biographical information, and more. Also includes a lengthy, partially annotated bibliography of Indian-related publications from pre-school level to academic.

Tiller's Guide to Indian Country: Economic Profiles of American Indian Reservations. REF E93 .T55 1996
Unique guide offers thorough profiles on American Indian reservations in what is now the United States. Each entry includes addresses, location, land status, and size of the reservation, its culture and history, government, economy, economic development projects, community facilities, and more. Also includes settlements, such as the Mesquakie Indian Settlement in Iowa.

Encyclopedic Sources (to locate specific facts and information, often on a broad range of topics)

ABC-CLIO Companion to The Native American Rights Movement. REF KF8203.36 .G76 1996
Authoritative subject encyclopedia includes entries on numerous legal cases, legislation, individuals and organizations focusing on civil rights and ethnic pride. Longer entries include helpful and detailed bibliographies for further reading.

The American Indian: A Multimedia Encyclopedia. 1993. (Available in REF Area Only; sign up at Ref Desk)
Text and graphics, video, and audio files provide background information on numerous tribes, their histories, folklore, religions. Includes numerous biographies, reference materials, and a multimedia gallery.

American Indians. Harvey Markowitz, ed. 1995. (REF E76.2 A45 1995, v. 1-3)
Three volume set contains signed entries provide detailed information regarding individual tribes, prominent individuals, and numerous events and topics of interest such as contemporary life and issues, legislation, gender relations, and much more. Longer entries have helpful bibliographies. Includes b/w photographs, charts, tables, maps. A highly useful resource.

Cambridge History of the Native Peoples of the Americas. (REF E77 N62 1996, v. 1-2) (new to Ref)
Concise three volume, six part set provides signed, in-depth essays that profile specific historic and contemporary indigenous cultures throughout the Americas. Volume one covers Canada and the United States, Volume two covers Mexico and Mesoamerican cultures in general, and Volume three is devoted to South America.

Encyclopedia of American Indian Wars, 1492-1890. Jerry Keenan. REF E81 K44 1997
Subject encyclopedia provides history and background information on wars, conflicts, massacres, and prominent American Indians and other individuals associated with those events. Includes numerous black and white illustrations and photo reproductions.

Encyclopedia of Native American Healing. William S. Lyon. 1996. (REF E98.M4 L96 1996)
Unique source describes and defines cultural practices, objects, ceremonies and terminology related to various American Indian medicinal practices. Includes maps, numerous illustrations and photographs, and biographical information on prominent shamans and healers.

Encyclopedia of Native American Religions. Arlene Hirschfelder, Palette Molin. 1992. (REF E98 .R3 H73 1992)
Short entries describe individuals, practices, cultural traditions and beliefs. Includes lengthy bibliography for further reading; some illustrations.

Encyclopedia of Native American Tribes. Carl Waldman. 1988. (REF E76.2 W35 1988)
Alphabetic list of tribes with information on relevant historical and cultural traditions. Some entries include brief information on contemporary tribe members as well. Many hand-drawn illustrations.

The Encyclopedia of North American Indian Tribes: A Comprehensive Study of Tribes from the Abitibi to the Zuni. Bill Yenne. 1994. (REF E76.2 Y46 1986)
Alphabetic list of North American Indian tribes provides brief data on geographic region, linguistic group, dwelling and subsistence type of most tribes; additional historical information on specific tribes varies from a paragraph to several pages in length. Alternate names and cross-listings are listed for many tribes. Numerous photographs; heavily illustrated, many in color.

Encyclopedia of North American Indians. D. L. Birchfield. 1997. REF E76.2 E53 1997
New 12-volume encyclopedia features lavish color illustrations and photographs and clearly written articles with bibliographies. Despite the title, there is some treatment of South American Indians as well. A good introductory source, and excellent for younger readers.

Encyclopedia of North American Indians. Frederick E. Hoxie, ed. REF E76.2 E53 1996
Authoritative and noteworthy one volume encyclopedia with lengthy signed entries profiling tribes, individuals, and topics. Includes much information on contemporary American Indian issues and affairs; includes bibliographies and b/w photo reproductions.

The Gale Encyclopedia of Native American Tribes. Sharon Malinowski, et al, eds.
Currently on order, 6/98

Handbook of North American Indians. Smithsonian Inst., 1972- . REF E77 .H25
Authoritative essays and bibliographies comprise this massive twenty-volume set, half of which has yet to be published. Most volumes published to date focus on a particular cultural area (such as the Arctic, the Subarctic, the Northwest Coast, California, the Southwest, and the Great Basin area); two other volumes focus on language and race relations between American Indians and whites.

Native American Almanac. 1993. (REF E77 .H59 1993)
Features long, interesting essays on topics such as Indian-White relations; contemporary Native American life and demogrfaphy; treaties, languages, games and sports, religion, and more. Includes chronology, bibliography, numerous charts, tables, and illustrations.

Native American Issues: A Reference Handbook. William N. Thompson. 1996. REF E98 .T77 T56 1996
Long essays address contemporary American Indian issues such as sovreignty, stereotyping, economic development and gambling. Other major sections include chronologies, biographical sketches, brief accounts of significant court cases, statistics, and a organizations directory. References point to books, journal articles, court cases, statutes, films, documentaries, and (already somewhat dated) Internet resources and CD-ROM's. Includes glossary and index.

Native North American Almanac. 1994. REF E75 .N397
Includes major sections on demography, major culture areas, law and legislation, religion, literature, education, biographical information, addresses of numerous organizations, and more.

Native North American Firsts. Karen Gayton Swisher, AnCita Benally, eds.
Currently on order, 6/98

Native Tribes of North America: A Concise Encyclopedia. Michael Johnson. 1994. REF E76.2 J64 1994.

Reference Encyclopedia of the American Indian. Barry T. Klein. REF E76.2 .K5 1995 (Note: Eighth edition 1998 currently on order, 6/98)
More of a directory than an encyclopedia, this resource provides numerous directory listings for national associations, schools, museums, periodicals, annual events, biographical information, and more. Also includes a lengthy, partially annotated bibliography of Indian-related publications from pre-school level to academic.

Statistical Sources (to locate quantifiable information on many topics)

Statistical Record of Native North Americans. 1995. (REF E98 .P76 S73, 1st- ).
Massive compilation of detailed historical and contemporary statistics, dealing chiefly with demographics, household and family characteristics, education, culture and tradition, health care, business, land and water management, and more. Extensive coverage of Canadian Indians as well.

U.S. Census Bureau
Current population statistics and estimates, plus numerous special reports, mapping services, publications, and information on topics such as housing, education, income, poverty, and race & ethnicity.

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URL: http://www.public.iastate.edu/~savega/amerind.htm
Last updated: 05-Dec-2001 11:43 AM
Created: 23 October 1996
Copyright © 1996-