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The Inconvenient Indian

a Curious Account of Native People in North America
bickjd
May 21, 2016bickjd rated this title 5 out of 5 stars
Fantastic! Packed with deplorable realities and shocking facts, consider this an unconventional crash course in North American "Native" culture, history, and politics. The author’s facetious tone compliments the irony of “Indian Policy”. He holds no punches with his sharp wit: “Indian policy has discouraged Indians from pursuing traditional goals and aspirations and continues to push us up the cattle chute of capitalism.” (page 117) King shows how the truth emerges when asking “What do Whites want?”, instead of the historically deceptive—and more common—question: “What do Indians want?” (“Whites” representing the governments and dominant institutions of North America). The Inconvenient Indian won the 2014 RBC Taylor Prize. King teaches Native Literature and Creative Writing in Canada at the University of Guelph. His writing is entertaining, informative, and derisive. He sneaks in a lot of wisdom between recurring belly laughs and unsettling sighs. “Individuals can fool you, and they can surprise you." (page 218) Anyone interested in Native culture—more so anyone with an eye on the future—should read this book.