It seems as if both historians and ethnographers are again concerning themselves with the diatribe of past events in relation to modern, more pragmatic, communicative efforts. In fact, many of the recent works tend to readdress some of the historical issues so prevalent in ethnographic research, and attempt to merge the varieties of fieldwork with an historical perspective presumably to reformat some of the issues in a newer, more modern, bent. Within this context, this paper will examine a 1969 work, Custer Died For Your Sins, by Vine DeLoria, Jr.
In brief terms, the book is less of an historical interpretation of the American Indian, for it would be difficult for any book to attempt such a feature in only one volume, than an extended essay like commentary on the way the American Indian has been, and is, perceived under the constructs of modern culture. In fact, this perception is apparent right from the start of the work, when DeLoria comments that:
Indians are like the weather. Everyone knows all about the weather, but none can change it. When storms are predicted, the sun shines. When picnic weather is announced, the rain begins. Likewise, if you count on the unpredictability of Indian people, you will never be sorry (p. 1).
Thus, one is immediately aware that the variety of myth surrounding Indians is under attack. In fact, DeLoria seems to infer that it is precisely this mythologizing that is damaging to Indian culture, particularly in evidence with the myth of the "noble savage." This myth, promulgated by both scientist and layman alike, has done more to damage the integrity and uniqueness of Indian culture than almost any other single factor. In fact, DeLoria notes that one of the primary problem that the modern Indian has undergone, aside from being lumped into a single culture instead of a myriad of unique tribes, has been the over generalization that resulted from millions of dollars worth of anthropolog...