Life of the Indigenous Mind

"Drawing on the activist-intellectual's personal papers and less well-known writings from the period, Life of the Indigenous Mind is more than mere commentary. Moreover, the book's critical edge distinguishes it from prior scholarship that erred toward hagiography. Overall, it is a long-overdue addition to the existing literature on Vine Deloria, Jr., and on Red Power more generally."—John H. Cable, American Indian Quarterly

“The most substantial and important consideration of Deloria’s work to date and deserves a place on any comprehensive American Indian studies shelf.”—Akim Reinhardt, South Dakota History

"Martínez has produced a rich and rewarding book. He is balanced in his critiques of Deloria's writings and careful to contextualize Deloria's political motives for self-determination."—Gregory D. Smithers, Native American and Indigenous Studies

“An affecting portrait of one of America’s most influential Indigenous rights activists.”—C. T. Vecsey, Choice

"Life of the Indigenous Mind is an asset for instructors of American Indian studies. Martínez paints Deloria as a wise elder of the Red Power movement, even in his youth, a portrait that bolsters the argument that he was the intellectual leader American Indians needed at a unique moment in history."—April M. Bond, American Indian Culture and Research Journal

“As David Martínez observes, the Indigenous mind is the Indigenous community’s most potent weapon against colonialism. This powerful statement triggers a challenging responsibility: to identify the types of ideas that should inform the efforts of Indigenous intellectuals. Martínez charts a framework for future intersectional analysis, providing an important contribution to the growth of American Indian intellectualism. This book offers a magnificent appraisal of Vine Deloria Jr.’s legacy and the power of critical thought.”—Rebecca Tsosie, Regents’ Professor of Law at the University of Arizona and faculty co-chair of the Indigenous Peoples Law and Policy Program at the James E. Rogers College of Law

“David Martínez transcends hagiography in this complex analysis of four key early works by Vine Deloria Jr. This fascinating book takes a deep dive into Deloria’s thinking. Martínez does an admirable job of both placing these works in the historical context of turbulent changes in Indian affairs in the United States and illuminating Deloria’s intellectual acumen as he challenged federal bureaucrats, academia, the public at large, and, perhaps most significantly, Indian Country to rethink the place of American Indians in the United States.”—David R. M. Beck, professor of Native American Studies at the University of Montana