Genocide of Native American and Other Peoples: A Reading List

Blood Brother by Elliot Arnold
A historical novel concerning the remarkable relationship between Chiricahua Apache leader Cochise and non-Indian Tom Jeffords of Tucson. Cochise, the native whose reputation created the saying, “honest indian,” demonstrated that courage earned respect in Apache culture regardless of race. Jeffords stood alone between the Chiricahua and murderous non-Indians and the U.S. military.
The Camp Grant Massacre by Elliot Arnold
A historical novel concerning the massacre of unarmed Aravaipa Apaches by Tucson residents and the Papago. (Know your Spirit Walk area!)
Apache, Navajo and Spaniard by Jack Forbes
This book describes the Spanish influence that started with the Conquistadors.
Once They Moved Like the Wind by David Roberts
A history of the Chiricahua, who made their home in Southeast Arizona. (Know your Spirit Walk area!)
Neither Wolf Nor Dog by Kent Nerburn
You might at first be put off by this truthful, fiery, but ultimately cleansing dialogue between Indian and white. But somewhere around page 50, old Dan starts speaking universal truths. This is a very easy read and all of it presents a pretty good picture of how Native Americans—still POWs on the worst of the land that once belonged to them—feel about white people and why.
The Old Way By Elizabeth Marshall Thomas
The author of this book and her family went to find and study the Kalahari Bushmen in the 1950’s. She and her family were privileged to meet and know the Kalahari group she calls the Ju/wasi while they were living the “old way.” The old way is one of control and cooperation as these small extended family groups depended on each other for survival. All food was shared, regardless of the hunter or gatherer who found it, and social bonds are encouraged throughout their lives by frequent gift giving. Marshall Thomas has written numerous books and is empathetic to the degree that the reader of this book was brought to tears by the information relayed in the final chapters. We Europeans need to learn about this way more than any other people, as it was our people who moved into their lands and moved them out. Although she is objective in her reporting, Elizabeth Thomas has earned her place among my personal heros with Jane Goodall, as a person who has done a lot to try to help these beautiful people.

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