Social Change and Cultural Continuity among Native Nations

Duane Champagne provides a sophisticated analysis on how Native Americans seek/sought to maintain or restore political and cultural autonomy in the face of overwhelming outside pressures pushing them toward individual and collective assimilation. Through a variety of impressive case studies ranging from Alaska to the Mid-Atlantic region, he carefully shows that indigenous communities' resistance is/was rooted in their own beliefs and cultural traditions, and that their quest for self-determination cannot be simply understood or explained using contemporary social science theory or terminology. His excellent work is a call for scholars to study more thoroughly how indigenous communities conceptualize resistance, by exploring in greater depth Native American beliefs, cultures and languages rather than rely altogether on western models. -- Laurence M. Hauptman, SUNY Distinguished Professor of History, SUNY-New Paltz
Champagne's new book is a wonderful addition to his extensive body of excellent scholarship. Social Change and Cultural Continuity Among Native Nations presents classic sociological theories of social continuity and change in a very readable format. By using historical and current examples from a wide variety of American Indian and indigenous people groups, Champagne grounds the theoretical approaches and shows how groups respond and adapt to social pressures. Social Change and Cultural Continuity Among Native Nations is a must-read for instructors and students of social and cultural change — and anyone else with an inquiring mind! -- Robert J. Graham, Chair of Behavioral and Social Sciences, Lee University
Deeply grounded in the struggles and achievements of Native Americans, Social Change and Cultural Continuity Among Native Nations challenges the United States, and the whole world, to learn from indigenous people. In this powerful series of essays, Duane Champagne provides a deeply theorized and empirically informed overview of contemporary Native American life. Economic, political, social, and cultural issues receive thorough and respectful treatment in Champagne's experienced and articulate analysis. This long-overdue book is an essential text for social science and ethnic studies courses. Indispensable and highly recommended! -- Howard Winant, director, Center for New Racial Studies, University of California Santa Barbara; author, The World Is A Ghetto: Race and Democracy Since World War II
Demonstrating an amazing breadth of historical knowledge and a solid command of social change theories, Champagne offers an engaging comparative study of Native politics, economy, and culture. Throughout the volume, Champagne is attentive to context —- the legacy of colonial domination, the history of indigenous institutional change, and the uncertain future of globalization. In highlighting the richness of indigenous perspectives, the essays presented here help us rethink our understanding of spiritual communities, the state and political governance, and the meaning of cultural preservation. -- Michael Omi, University of California, Berkeley