“Once you are armed with that history and that evidence, this country can’t lie to you anymore about why it looks the way that it does” - Clint Smith on the power of learning and knowing facts.

Written by a former Obama Administration Policy Advisor, this timely work of nonfiction is unsurprisingly data driven, and carefully matched with revealing life stories of people deeply affected by this ominous history. She explores the complicated process of tribal enrollment and how laws from within each tribal community along with federal frameworks, dictate who “gets to be native.”

The U.S. government’s relationship with Indigenous People is subdivided into the policy eras as follows: Coexistence, Removal, Assimilation, Reorganization, Termination and Self Determination. These forbidding terms provide a structure for often times chilling stories of real life Americans.

The census, with a history of misrepresenting the population, focused on the phenomenon of blood quantum (percentage of Native blood) as a legal system of registry. I was shocked to learn how these records themselves provide damning evidence of racism, theft and dehumanization.

The questions of identity, belonging and justice are front and center in this stunning work. As we celebrate this federal holiday I implore people to investigate this history of the tribal nations and their members; a history defining an entire group of Americans who frankly, were here first.

Titles I highly recommend for those who want to dive deeper into this significant subject:
Portraits of Earth Justice: Americans Who Tell the Truth by Robert Shetterly
The Night Watchman by Louise Erdrich
Crow Mary by Kathleen Grissom
This Tender Land by William Kent Krueger
The Berry Pickers by Amanda Peters
Night of the Living Rez by Morgan Talty

Many thanks to Flatiron Books, Macmillan Audio and Net Galley for the early copy in exchange for my honest review!

My ARC was provided by the publisher via Netgalley in exchange for an honest review.
I read this book hoping to find some answers and instead was educated on why and how the answers and even the questions themselves are complicated.
Who is gets to call themselves “Indian”?Only those who are enrolled in their tribes? Those who don’t meet or can’t provide evidence that they meet Blood Quantum standards? Who created those standards and why? (Hint:it was the federal government and the harder to enroll the fewer people qualify for benefits which now also translates into who is eligible for shares of tribal income from casinos, etc.). If a person doesn’t meet/can’t document high enough Blood Quantum for one particular tribe, at what point are they a “Pretend-ian”? Is simply marking oneself as Native American on a census or other federal form and identifying as such a form of political defiance? Should there be a path to join one’s native tribe but not as an official enrolled member with benefits? Who gets to feel part of and deserving of a seat within their native community?

“Indian Card: Who Gets to be Native in America” is an exploration of Native American Identity, tribal enrollment, Ancestry, and what it reveals our understanding of race and politics.

This is a thoroughly researched, deep examination that reads at times like a thesis, at times like a history book, at times a family tree, and at times like a memoir. As someone who has done a lot of research into my own genealogy and has a penchant for history, those parts kept me engaged and found them interesting. It spurred some googling. But not having any Native American blood, some of the thesis and memoir sections I struggled to personally connect. This was eye opening and thought provoking and will be a great resource and read for those that connect to all parts of the book

I felt very seen by this book, I am 1/8 Onedia and not recognized by my tribe. As someone who has and does struggle with connecting to and claiming my native heritage this book feels vital.

The definition of Native American has been murky throughout history and continues to be difficult to define today. This book examines the vastness of culture "Native American" is meant to describe, the history of vanishing identities among indigenous cultures, and what that means for policy and culture today.

This book ended up being more focused on history and personal stories than I was expecting, and it never comes to a satisfactory answer: just lays out the facts. It offers knowledge that is both fairly common, if you've been following these topics in the news, as well as some facts that are more obscure. I found myself empathizing with the disenfranchised folks throughout the story, as we all can relate to the need to belong somewhere. For many Native people, there isn't a home to go back to, but that doesn't mean things can't get better. I'd certainly recommend this book to anyone considering their own Native ancestry as well as casual researchers who want to understand the current situation in more depth than what the news can get into.

Thank you to NetGalley and the publisher for this ARC. All opinions are my own.

Thanks to NetGalley and Macmillan audio for the advanced audiobook.

There were parts of this book that I really appreciated, especially when the author got into her own Indian lineage and that of her family members, which helped paint a realistic, albeit messy, picture of what it means to be part of the Indian community. As a researcher I can see why she tried to pack so much history into the book, but there were parts that just felt too dense for me.

Important Read

I found this a really intriguing and informative book on the intersection of Indigenous history and politics in America.

I was particularly impressed with all the history I learned from this book.

Being a Canadian, a few of the points of this book were different than that of America, but the majority of the book has parallels to Canada - at least from what I gathered in this book.

I would very much recommend checking out this book.

Carrie is a very impressive writer, and the research and stories are really timely and important.

Check it out!

4.4/5

I have learned so much from the author and her amazing research skills. She hits on so many of the untold/unknown topics of the indigenous population and various communities. Her personal story keeps the readers/listeners engaged and she ties that into various situations and concerns that she has uncovered over her decades of living and researching this topic.

Having a parent that grew up not knowing their heritage until later in life, this book hit home on so many of the concerns and misfortunes of the indigenous communities and cultures throughout North America.

Highly recommend this book. It was education and matches what I have uncovered in my own journey of discovery with my family.

This book is precisely what the title claims it to be: a book about who gets to be native in America. I think this is an issue we're going to be hearing more and more about as shows like "Reservation Dogs," "Dark Winds," and "1923" -- heck, even "Letterkenny" and "Shoresy" -- gain popularity and bring Native American/Indigenous people back into the forefront of people's minds.

It was truly amazing to me how many people now claim Native American heritage on the U.S. census. And untangling the truth from the "my great-great-great-grandmother was an Indian princess" stories is.... not as easy and straightforward as one would think.

So, this book takes a long, honest look at what it means to be Native in America. It talks about being Native and not living in a Native community and losing access to one's Native roots.

It explores themes of imposter syndrome, not fitting in, discrimination (both inside and outside of the Native community), and more. It talks in depth about the sometimes ridiculously complicated processes for becoming recognized as part of the Native community and how some true Natives are excluded from actual "Indian card" status simply because they don't have "enough" native blood.

While the writing was a little less than professional and polished in places and the narration could be a bit draggy, the actual story was definitely one that needed to be told and one that needs to be read. I found it very enlightening and am incredibly grateful to Netgalley and the book's publisher for giving me access to an early ARC. I will definitely spread the "you need to read this" word among my friends, family, and co-workers.

Absolutely incredible read on the concept of being Native in the U.S. today. In a land where blood quantum has quite the history (think the 'one drop rule'), the question of who gets to claim an identity becomes tricky. Further, Native people have repeatedly had their land stolen and their cultures attacked by the governments around them. Lowry Schuettpelz uses this book both as a somewhat introduction to the history of the U.S. government attacking Native lands and cultures and as an exploration of the difficulties in defining Native-ness is within these communities.

My only issue from this book was that I wanted more. This book felt more toward introductory than I would have liked. However, I would argue that is not the book's fault, but mine. I will have to look into more books similar to this one if I want to learn more.

Thank you to Macmillan Audio and NetGalley for an audio ARC in exchange for an honest review!

-Thank you, Macmillan Audio and Netgallery for this ARC audiobook in exchange for my honest review.-

In this book, Schuettpelz provides a deep dive into what it means to identify as Native in the United States. Schuettpelz artfully weaves together history, quantitative data, and her own personal experience to explore this incredibly complex issue. Schuettpelz investigates how imperialism and colonization contributed to broken treaties, reservation systems, and blood quantum and how those factors continue to impact Indigenous communities today. Schuettpelz strikes a masterful balance between historical information, lived experience, and at times, humor in a manner that makes these topics approachable.

It feels somewhat serendipitous that I would come across this book on Netgallery, as I have long questioned my own identity as a white-passing Indigenous person. Parts of Schuettpelz' personal journey were strikingly similar to that of my own. This book resonated with me on such a personal level; for so long I have based my own indigeneity on the percentage (blood quantum). Schuettpelz' book reminded me that this is not the only defining factor and that indigeneity is often relational, and who claims you. In that reminder I have found solace. I am so grateful to Schuettpelz for writing this book and that I was privileged enough to read it. Rarely do I read a book twice, but I can't wait to read this again!

This book is must-read and I highly recommend that others read/purchase this when it comes out!

I immediately fell in love with Schuettpelz's writing and love for data! I thought this was an amazing exploration of the Native American identity, tribal enrollment and ancestry. History, facts and data were balanced so well in this one with personal interviews and connections. This is such a good starting point if you are new to the topic, full of unique perspectives. I really loved Amy Cox Hall's narration here as well, this one was definitely easy to follow on audio.

My mom contacted me recently letting me know she finally got approved for a native identification card. I was very excited as we would often casually discuss Oklahoma and the sociocultural elements we missed after we moved. I asked her to forward our genealogy tree so I too could apply. I found out quickly Kiowa doesn't issue cards to individuals who are less than 1/4th, but Comanche recognizes at any level. This puzzled me. This is where The Indian Card by Carri Lowry Schuettpelz comes in and lays it all out. I take pride in my history as does the author and I try very hard to find unwashed sources of historical events to better understand why things are the way they are, and through the lens of Anthropology, the author furthers my knowledge database which both enlightens me and breaks my heart.

This deep dive in to the exploration of individuals looking to obtain an Indian card was a very educational and dark. To really get a grasp on why things are the way they are, we literally have to start at the beginning of this vein, 1776. Ring a bell? Yeah, it's that dark. Indians, rather properly referred to as Natives, began the long and sad journey of displacement, identity loss and sociocultural poverty when colonialization reared it's ugly head from the sea. Carrie discusses ethnic cleansing (trail of tears), the birth of reservations via muster rolls (a military form of forcefully removing persons and displacing them elsewhere) and the production of poverty, exposure to colonial illnesses and starvation set upon the Natives during the colonial invasion.

Fast forward a little and we discuss imposter syndrome which can persuade or dissuade individuals about getting a Native card. I went through this from time to time. Not white enough and considered 'exotic' and not Indian enough to be accepted in certain school groups. I was also educated on Indian agents, a dissuading element, where kids were stolen from Native homes on reservations and forced in to boarding schools for years having no contact with their family forcing the loss of Native spoken language and tradition. These agents were also a continued form of Native census which was essentially used to control the movement of funds and resources in certain areas. There was also some discussion on a well known topic of stolen land. How groups were tricked and given 'presents' of money well below the actual value and if the land was still occupied by the rightful owners, the wealth Natives would have instead of being one of the poorest recognized groups in America.

The topic of census alone is a very lengthy one and has a direct correlation to the confusion and frustration to obtaining a Native card. When colonials were in control of the census, names were written wrong and classification was handled poorly because from one guard to the next, it was their interpretation of how 'Indian' someone appeared to them. There are numerous flaws involved on behalf of the colonial power that dictated this census control and made it nearly impossible for some to properly trace back family.

General quote: Power in learning, power in knowing facts.

It’s difficult to look at ugliness and realize that it shares the face with people we’ve been taught to revere. It’s difficult to grapple with the reality that Abraham Lincoln, someone credited at least in part with the end of slavery, approve the largest mass execution in US history of 38 Native warriors. Roosevelt, “the only good Indians are the dead Indians”. George Washington, called native people savages who needed to be extripated (root out and destroy). 56%

Review of “The Indian Card: Who Gets to Be Native in America”

By: Carrie Schuettpelz

Available October 15/2024

Check it Out on Goodreads!!

Blog Post: Review of “The Indian Card: Who Gets to Be Native in America” is now scheduled. It will go live on September 28 8:11 am.
https://pagesandpurls.wordpress.com/2024/09/28/review-of-the-indian-card-who-gets-to-be-native-in-america/

Disclaimer: Please note that I received an Audio ARC from NetGalley and Macmillan Audio, in exchange for an honest and unbiased review.

⭐⭐⭐⭐⭐ (Rating System Below)

The Indian Card by Carrie Lowry Schuettpelz is a powerful and eye-opening exploration of Native American identity, shedding light on the complex and often painful history of tribal enrollment, ancestry, and what it means to be considered Native in today’s society. Schuettpelz skillfully navigates the intricate and bureaucratic processes that Indigenous people endure to prove their heritage, all while offering a deep reflection on the cultural, racial, and political implications of these systems.

I found this book incredibly insightful, especially in its examination of the historical and ongoing injustices Native communities have faced, such as the forced loss of land and the dehumanizing policies enacted by colonial governments. Schuettpelz’s compassionate writing brings to life the struggles of Indigenous people who have had to fight to maintain their identity while navigating the challenges imposed by outside forces.

Overall, The Indian Card is an essential read for anyone wanting to understand the intersection of identity, culture, and politics within Native American communities. Schuettpelz’s thoughtful and well-researched work not only informs but also inspires a deep respect for the resilience of Indigenous peoples.

Get it at…

📗 - Hard Copy -📗

Your Local Canadian Book Seller

Indigo

Amazon Canada

📱 - Digital - 📱

Kobo

Kindle

🎧 - Audio - 🎧

Audible

Libro.FM

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*Star Rating Guide*

⭐

The writing style didn’t appeal to me.

The characters didn’t resonate with me.

I pushed myself to the limit to avoid DNF’ing.

I wouldn’t suggest this book to anyone I’m acquainted with.

⭐⭐

The book was passable, but it won’t stick in my mind.

Although I didn’t abandon the book, my mind wasn’t fully immersed in the story.

I discovered that it was easy for me to stop reading it and not feel compelled to continue promptly.

When everything was said and done, I was unsure of my immediate opinion on this book.

⭐⭐⭐

If someone is actively seeking a book in this general premise, I would suggest this.

While it was good, I don’t think I’ll ever pick up this book for a second read.

If it were part of a series, I’d probably venture into the next book.

Reading it was time well-spent.

⭐⭐⭐⭐

This book was brilliant.

I had the urge to keep reading and turn to the next page.

The book stayed on my mind for days after I finished it.

I highly recommend this book to everyone.

⭐⭐⭐⭐⭐

I was actively engaged in wanting to finish reading this book.

My thoughts are consumed by this book after completing it.

I want to have a physical copy as a trophy that I can display on my shelf.

I felt a strong connection and investment while reading this book, would definitely recommend.

This book really surprised me! I've read my fair share of nonfiction books on Indigeneity in the U.S. and this was a really interesting take on the idea of Native identity and who "counts" as Native. It's no surprised that our ideas of this have been so warped by colonialism — specifically when you look at blood quantum and matrilineal/patrilineal status and whatnot. I was absolutely fascinated by this examination of the way we determine and have determined Native identity since contact, and the author did a great job of pairing historical elements of this issue with a dissection of evolving policies, as well as with her experiences and the experiences of other mixed, reconnecting, or displaced Native folks.

Reading this as a mixed Indigenous person who comes from tribes that will most likely never be federally recognized and who also navigates the nuances of being from a tribe that is south of the colonial border, this book gave me so much to think about.