Clearing a Path: Theorizing the Past in Native American Studies

Native American studies is ready for theory. Until very recently, historians and others researching the Native American past have almost exclusively described their subject in linear, chronological fashion--relegating the theory to introductory chapters or footnotes. InClearing a Path, Nancy Shoemaker assembles a collection of essays written by some of the most respected names in the field that skillfully places methodological and theoretical concerns first. The anthology is divided into four sections: *"Stories" looks at history as storytelling (and storytelling as history) *"Categories of Analysis" asks how roles like gender affect historical study * "Political Economy" reviews the material context of Native American history on and off the reservation *"Tribal Histories, Indigenous Histories" compares two different modes of examining Native American history. Clearing a Pathoffers new models and ideas for exploring Native American history, drawing from disciplineslike history, anthropology, and creative writing. This a must-read for anyone interested in the history of indigenous peoples.

Nancy Shoemaker, Associate Professor of History at the University of Connecticut