Seeing Red: Indigenous Land, American Expansion, and the Political Economy of Plunder in North America

Abstract

chronological with each Indian Affairs administrator receiving their own chapter, totaling 65 administrators and coordinating chapters. DeJong offers demographic data for each administrator, including their full name, state or tribal nation associated with their individual work, and the commencement and end date of their service with Indian Affairs. The nature of the chapter structure (individual biographic features) in Paternalism to Partnership often does not facilitate smooth transitions or obvious connections between chapters and individuals, which can read more as a listing of historical data rather than as an analysis of it. Writing excerpts of administrators are frequently included at the conclusion of each biographical chapter, but often with minimal direct analysis or associated contextualization, leaving the administrators’ words to speak for themselves and manifest their philosophies. In the Preface, DeJong addresses questions of subjectivity regarding presented philosophical excerpts, informing readers that he searched for passages that best explained or discussed each administrators’ philosophy. With only selective excerpts presented to readers, it is inherently challenging to offer a comprehensive philosophical representation of Indian Affairs administrators throughout their political careers or their duration of service with Indian Affairs. DeJong, however, presents philosophical excerpts for a broad array of Indian Affairs issues, such as education, health, economic development, criminal law enforcement, autonomy and self-governance, land trusts, and poverty, to name a few. For a deeper investigation of individual administrator’s political or social philosophies, Paternalism to Partnership includes extensive chapter notes and bibliography. Categorized as a documentary history, the book and the author’s intent should be kept in mind among readers. DeJong’s Paternalism to Partnership is a quintessential resource for those studying the administration of Indian Affairs and the evolution of federal-American Indian policy.