232: Like a Hurricane: The Indian Movement from Alcatraz to Wounded Knee by Paul Chaat Smith and Robert Warrior

Like a Hurricane: The Indian Movement from Alcatraz to Wounded Knee

Book description:

"For a brief but brilliant season beginning in the late 1960s, American Indians seized national attention in a series of radical acts of resistance. Like a Hurricane is a gripping account of the dramatic, breathtaking events of this tumultuous period. Drawing on a wealth of archival materials, interviews, and the authors' own experiences of these events, Like a Hurricane offers a rare, unflinchingly honest assessment of the period's successes and failures."

Why this is progressive/liberal: Progressives are often not so progressive on Indian rights. For example, I've never known an Indian that referred to him or herself as a Native American. We've taken hundreds of nations and lumped them all together. This is akin to asserting that a citizen of Mexico, a citizen of the United States, and a citizen of Canada are all roughly the same because they're "Americans." Or, North Americans if you want to be more specific. This history of the American Indian protest movement in the early 1970s is a must read for anyone interested in Indian civil rights.

329: The Winona LaDuke Reader: A Collection of Essential Writings

The Winona LaDuke Reader: A Collection of Essential Writings

In 1996 and 2000 LaDuke was the vice-presidential candidate for the Green Party. She is a tireless activist for women's rights, Indian rights, and for protecting the environment. This reader provides an excellent introduction to her work and thinking.

From the publisher's book description:

"For more than twenty years, Winona LaDuke has impressed people around the world with her oratory and debate skills and as an advocate for Native American rights, champion of women’s and children’s issues, protector of the environment, and as a leading voice of the Green Party. A charismatic and inspiring speaker and writer, LaDuke possesses a stirring passion that comes through in the 30 speeches, articles, and fiction excerpts compiled in The Winona LaDuke Reader. This is the first collection of the many political speeches and "think-pieces" that she has written for magazines such as Sierra, Smithsonian’s American Indian, and more."

Why this is progressive/liberal: LaDuke embodies much of the progressive spirit and speaks out on many issues important to progressives.