Donald Fixico

Donald Fixico is a Native American historian, author, and Distinguished Foundation Professor of History at Arizona State University. He is a member of the Shawnee, Sac and Fox, Muscogee Creek, and Seminole Nations. Throughout his career, Fixico has focused on American Indian history, particularly examining Native American perspectives, oral traditions, and the complex relationships between tribal nations and the United States government. His works include "The American Indian Mind in a Linear World" (2003) and "Call for Change: The Medicine Way of American Indian History, Ethos and Reality" (2013). Fixico's research has significantly contributed to understanding urban Indian history and the experiences of American Indians in the twentieth century. His book "Termination and Relocation: Federal Indian Policy, 1945-1960" (1986) is considered a fundamental text on federal Indian policy during the post-World War II era. As a leading scholar in American Indian Studies, Fixico has served on numerous national boards and committees, including the Advisory Council of the National Museum of the American Indian at the Smithsonian Institution. His work consistently emphasizes the importance of incorporating Indigenous knowledge systems and worldviews into historical scholarship.

Readers appreciate Fixico's detailed research and incorporation of Indigenous perspectives in historical scholarship. His academic works receive attention from scholars, students, and those interested in Native American history. What readers liked: - Clear explanations of complex federal policies - Integration of traditional Indigenous knowledge with academic analysis - Thorough documentation and research methodology - Accessibility for both academic and general audiences What readers disliked: - Dense academic writing style in some works - Repetitive passages in certain books - High textbook prices Review metrics: Goodreads: - "The American Indian Mind in a Linear World": 3.8/5 (42 ratings) - "Termination and Relocation": 4.1/5 (15 ratings) Amazon: - "Call for Change": 4.2/5 (6 reviews) - Most titles have limited reviews due to academic focus One graduate student reviewer noted: "Fixico provides crucial insight into Indigenous thinking patterns and knowledge systems that many Western scholars overlook." A history professor commented that "Termination and Relocation" remains "the definitive work on post-war federal Indian policy."

The American Indian Mind in a Linear World: American Indian Studies and Traditional Knowledge (2003) Examines differences between American Indian and Western ways of thinking, particularly how tribal people process knowledge through circular thought patterns rather than linear ones.

The Urban Indian Experience in America (2000) Documents Native American migration to cities throughout the 20th century and analyzes the development of urban Indian communities.

Daily Life of Native Americans in the Twentieth Century (2006) Chronicles the everyday experiences of Native Americans across different regions and tribes during modern times, covering education, work, family life, and cultural practices.

Call for Change: The Medicine Way of American Indian History, Ethos, and Reality (2013) Presents a methodology for understanding American Indian history from an indigenous perspective, incorporating traditional Native knowledge systems.

Termination and Relocation: Federal Indian Policy, 1945-1960 (1986) Analyzes the U.S. government's post-World War II policies aimed at ending federal recognition of tribes and relocating Native Americans to urban areas.

Rethinking American Indian History (1997) Explores new approaches to studying and writing Native American history, emphasizing indigenous perspectives and methodologies.

Indian Resilience and Rebuilding: Indigenous Nations in the Modern American West (2013) Examines how Native nations have maintained their cultures and rebuilt their communities despite challenges in the modern era.

Treaties with American Indians: An Encyclopedia of Rights, Conflicts, and Sovereignty (2007) Provides comprehensive information about treaties between Native American tribes and various governments throughout North American history.

Vine Deloria Jr. writes about Indigenous perspectives on history, spirituality and sovereignty from a Native American viewpoint. His work parallels Fixico's focus on Indigenous ways of thinking and critiques of Western historical approaches.

Devon Abbott Mihesuah focuses on Native American history with emphasis on Indigenous research methodologies and decolonial approaches. She shares Fixico's commitment to centering Indigenous perspectives in historical scholarship.

Philip Deloria examines Native American identity and cultural representation through historical analysis. His work intersects with Fixico's interests in how Native Americans navigate between traditional and modern worlds.

Jean M. O'Brien studies the intersection of Native American history and settler colonialism in North America. Her research methods align with Fixico's approach to understanding Indigenous experiences through both oral traditions and written documents.

Robert Warrior writes about Native American intellectual traditions and literary nationalism. His work complements Fixico's examination of Indigenous knowledge systems and thinking processes.