“All the Real Indians Died Off”: And 20 Other Myths about Native Americans

As Dunbar-Ortiz and Gilio-Whitaker explain: “Most U.S. citizens” knowledge about Indians is inaccurate, distorted, or limited to elementary school textbooks, cheesy old spaghetti westerns, or more contemporary films like Danc­es with Wolves or The Last of the Mohicans.”

All the Real Indians Died Off is an astute and lively primer of European-Indian relations. “Columbus the Discoverer,” the “welcoming Thanksgiving,” Indian “savage­ry,” “benevolent presidents,” the “gift of reservations,” “honoring” Native Americans with sports mascots, “casinos have made Indians rich”, Dun­bar-Ortiz and Gilio-Whitaker brilliantly dissect these and other myths. These myths are not just unfortunate. They legitimate the ongoing oppression and exploitation of this country’s First Nations people. The language is not always high school student friendly, but every teacher will learn lots from this fine book. [Description by Rethinking Schools.]

ISBN: 9780807062654  | Beacon Press