An Indigenous Peoples' History of the United States by Roxanne Dunbar-Ortiz Summary

1. The US founding myth hides a settler-colonial project of land theft and genocide.
2. Indigenous resistance shaped every era of US history, from pre-Revolution to Standing Rock.
3. Andrew Jackson’s policies aimed to exterminate Indigenous nations, not just relocate them.
4. The Doctrine of Discovery legally justified centuries of Indigenous dispossession and violence.
5. Settler colonialism required cultural genocide through boarding schools and forced assimilation.
6. US military tactics against Native nations became prototypes for modern imperial warfare.
7. The myth of a “nation of immigrants” erases Indigenous sovereignty and ongoing presence.
8. Land stewardship and corn cultivation defined Indigenous societies before European invasion.
9. Treaties were systematically broken to enable resource extraction and western expansion.
10. Indigenous survival disproves the lie of vanishing Native Americans in US history.
11. Modern US imperialism directly continues patterns of colonial violence against Native nations.
12. Instead of cultural conflict, understand land theft as intentional US policy.

About the Author of An Indigenous Peoples' History of the United States

Roxanne Dunbar-Ortiz, historian, activist, and professor emeritus of Native American Studies at California State University, is the acclaimed author of An Indigenous Peoples’ History of the United States, a groundbreaking work that reframes U.S. history through the lens of settler colonialism and Indigenous resistance.

A lifelong advocate for social justice, Dunbar-Ortiz draws on decades of activism with international Indigenous movements and her Oklahoma upbringing in rural poverty to challenge myths of American exceptionalism.

Her expertise spans Indigenous sovereignty, land rights, and anti-imperialist struggles, reflected in other notable works like Loaded: A Disarming History of the Second Amendment and her memoir trilogy (Red Dirt, Outlaw Woman, Blood on the Border).

A recipient of the 2015 American Book Award and the Lannan Foundation’s Cultural Freedom Prize, Dunbar-Ortiz’s scholarship has influenced educational curricula and inspired a young readers’ adaptation of An Indigenous Peoples’ History, co-authored by Jean Mendoza and Debbie Reese.

Her books are widely cited in decolonial discourse and academic circles, establishing her as a pivotal voice in reexamining foundational narratives of power and identity.

FAQs About An Indigenous Peoples' History of the United States

What is An Indigenous Peoples' History of the United States about?

An Indigenous Peoples' History of the United States by Roxanne Dunbar-Ortiz reexamines U.S. history through the lens of Indigenous experiences, exposing centuries of settler colonialism, genocide, and land dispossession. The book dismantles founding myths, documents systemic violence against Native nations, and highlights persistent Indigenous resistance—from precolonial times to modern movements.

Who should read An Indigenous Peoples' History of the United States?

This book is essential for readers seeking a decolonized perspective on U.S. history, educators revising curricula, and activists addressing systemic injustice. Its accessible academic style appeals to both general audiences and scholars of Indigenous studies, offering critical insights into settler-colonial policies and their lasting impacts.

What are the main arguments in An Indigenous Peoples' History of the United States?

Dunbar-Ortiz argues that U.S. expansion relied on genocidal policies codified through the Doctrine of Discovery and settler-colonial warfare. She emphasizes how myths of "manifest destiny" erased Indigenous sovereignty and how systems like forced assimilation (e.g., boarding schools) perpetuated cultural erasure. The book also underscores Indigenous resilience as a counter-narrative to U.S. exceptionalism.

How does Roxanne Dunbar-Ortiz critique Andrew Jackson’s policies?

Dunbar-Ortiz identifies Andrew Jackson’s presidency as a culmination of anti-Indigenous violence, particularly through the Indian Removal Act (1830) and Trail of Tears. She contextualizes his actions not as an aberration but as an extension of foundational U.S. policies designed to eliminate Native populations and seize land.

What is the Doctrine of Discovery in An Indigenous Peoples' History of the United States?

The Doctrine of Discovery—a 15th-century papal decree—is framed as the legal bedrock for European colonization and U.S. land claims. Dunbar-Ortiz explains how this doctrine justified dispossessing Indigenous nations by labeling their territories "terra nullius" (empty land), a myth perpetuated in U.S. law and culture.

How does the book address Indigenous resistance?

The narrative highlights centuries of Indigenous activism, including armed struggles (e.g., the Seminole Wars), legal challenges to treaties, and modern movements like Standing Rock. Dunbar-Ortiz portrays resistance as integral to Indigenous survival and a challenge to America’s origin story.

What criticisms has An Indigenous Peoples' History of the United States received?

Some critics argue the book’s focus on genocide oversimplifies nuanced historical interactions, while others praise its unflinching critique. Conservative voices contest its challenge to patriotic narratives, but scholars widely recognize it as a pivotal work in decolonizing history.

How does Dunbar-Ortiz connect historical events to modern issues?

The book links past policies like land theft and assimilation to contemporary struggles such as pipeline protests and federal recognition battles. Dunbar-Ortiz asserts that understanding this history is vital for addressing ongoing systemic inequities.

What primary sources does Roxanne Dunbar-Ortiz use?

Dunbar-Ortiz draws on treaties, oral histories, government documents, and Indigenous scholarship. Notable examples include the Treaty of 1868 with the Sioux Nation and testimonies from survivors of boarding schools, providing firsthand accounts of colonialism.

How does this book differ from traditional U.S. history texts?

Unlike conventional narratives that marginalize Indigenous perspectives, Dunbar-Ortiz centers Native voices and frames the U.S. as a settler-colonial state. The book rejects heroic myths of "discovery," instead emphasizing exploitation and resistance.

Why is An Indigenous Peoples' History relevant today?

The book provides context for modern debates about reparations, land repatriation, and racial justice. Its analysis of institutional racism and erasure informs movements like #LandBack and challenges to colonial monuments.

What is Roxanne Dunbar-Ortiz’s background?

A historian and activist, Dunbar-Ortiz grew up in Oklahoma with Indigenous roots. A co-founder of the Women’s Liberation Movement, she combines academic rigor with decades of advocacy, reflected in her critique of U.S. imperialism and support for Indigenous sovereignty.