Description:
This is the first descriptive analysis of how American Indian policies are made both at the statewide and at agency levels. Pertinent to all states, the study describes New York's historic policies and emphasizes that improving Indian lifestyles or attracting Indians to government employment is handicapped by their overall distrust of state intentions, a distrust caused by the continued impasse on American Indian land claims. Employing archival records never before used, as well as a plethora of interviews with state officials and American Indians over a fifteen-year period, Hauptman concludes that critical policy changes are needed to build lasting trust.
Brief description: Laurence M. Hauptman is SUNY Distinguished Professor of History at SUNY New Paltz. His many books include Seven Generations of Iroquois Leadership: The Six Nations since 1800; A Nation within a Nation: Voices of the Oneidas in Wisconsin; and Formulating American Indian Policy in New York State, 1970-1986, also published by SUNY Press.
Review Quotes:
"It is the thoroughness of the research and the fearless indictment of public officials that I admire most. Identification of the land issue as fundamental to all Indian grievances is what public officials need to learn. I found the manuscript fascinating and predict a wide readership." -- William N. Fenton, State University of New York at Albany
"To my knowledge, it is unique; I recommend it highly." -- Francis Jennings, D'Arcy McNickle Center for the History of the American Indian
"The author presents his arguments in a clear, concise, and unbiased manner. He has provided a significant study about current Indian affairs in New York and has demonstrated why Indian policies in this state have been unsuccessful in meeting the needs of the American Indian people in New York. The study serves as an example of the type needed in other states where large Indian communities reside. It should be required reading in any course about American Indian policy. Hauptman's recognition of the problems attendant in any state bureaucracy are sharply demonstrated throughout the text." -- Dr. Frank W. Porter III, President, Chelsea House Foundation for North American Indian Studies