📖 Overview
Nick Estes is a citizen of the Lower Brule Sioux Tribe and an assistant professor of American Studies at the University of New Mexico. As a historian and journalist, his work focuses on Indigenous resistance movements, environmental justice, and the history of colonialism in North America.
His most recognized book "Our History Is the Future: Standing Rock Versus the Dakota Access Pipeline, and the Long Tradition of Indigenous Resistance" (2019) examines the Standing Rock protests within the broader context of Native American resistance. The book connects contemporary Indigenous activism to historical struggles for sovereignty and land rights.
Estes is a co-founder of The Red Nation, an Indigenous resistance organization, and hosts "The Red Nation Podcast." His writing has appeared in publications including The Guardian, High Country News, Indian Country Today, and The Intercept.
As a public intellectual, Estes frequently speaks on topics including Indigenous peoples' rights, decolonization, and environmental justice. His academic research examines the intersection of Indigenous histories, anti-colonial resistance, and environmental movements.
👀 Reviews
Readers praise Estes's ability to connect historical Indigenous resistance to modern movements, particularly in "Our History Is the Future." Many cite his detailed research and clear explanations of complex colonial histories and legal frameworks.
Liked:
- Clear writing style that makes complex topics accessible
- Deep historical context behind Standing Rock protests
- Connection between past and present Indigenous movements
- Personal perspective as both scholar and tribal citizen
Disliked:
- Some readers found academic tone challenging
- A few mention wanting more personal narratives
- Critics note heavy focus on theory over individual stories
Ratings:
Goodreads: 4.5/5 (1,000+ ratings)
Amazon: 4.7/5 (200+ ratings)
One reader noted: "Estes provides crucial context missing from mainstream coverage of Standing Rock." Another wrote: "Changed how I understand Indigenous resistance movements, but dense reading at times."
Reviews consistently highlight the book's thoroughness in documenting Indigenous resistance while maintaining relevance to current environmental and social justice movements.
📚 Books by Nick Estes
Our History Is the Future: Standing Rock Versus the Dakota Access Pipeline, and the Long Tradition of Indigenous Resistance (2019)
Historical analysis connecting the 2016 Standing Rock protest movement to prior Indigenous resistance movements and treaties.
Red Nation Rising: From Bordertown Violence to Native Liberation (2021) Examination of violence against Native Americans in border towns and the development of Indigenous resistance movements, co-authored with multiple contributors.
Abolition Geography: Essays Towards Liberation (2022) Collection of essays exploring the connections between Indigenous rights, anti-colonialism, and prison abolition, co-authored with Ruth Wilson Gilmore.
The Red Deal: Indigenous Action to Save Our Earth (2021) Analysis of Indigenous environmental perspectives and proposed solutions to climate change, co-authored with The Red Nation.
Red Nation Rising: From Bordertown Violence to Native Liberation (2021) Examination of violence against Native Americans in border towns and the development of Indigenous resistance movements, co-authored with multiple contributors.
Abolition Geography: Essays Towards Liberation (2022) Collection of essays exploring the connections between Indigenous rights, anti-colonialism, and prison abolition, co-authored with Ruth Wilson Gilmore.
The Red Deal: Indigenous Action to Save Our Earth (2021) Analysis of Indigenous environmental perspectives and proposed solutions to climate change, co-authored with The Red Nation.
👥 Similar authors
Roxanne Dunbar-Ortiz writes about Indigenous resistance movements and critiques of settler colonialism in North America. Her work "An Indigenous Peoples' History of the United States" examines similar themes as Estes regarding Native sovereignty and colonial violence.
Glen Sean Coulthard analyzes Indigenous politics and resistance to settler capitalism from a Dene perspective. His book "Red Skin, White Masks" explores recognition politics and alternatives to colonial state power structures.
Vine Deloria Jr. produced foundational texts on Indigenous sovereignty and Native American political thought. His works examine tribal sovereignty, treaty rights, and Indigenous relationships to land.
Dina Gilio-Whitaker focuses on environmental justice and Indigenous rights in contemporary contexts. She writes about Native American treaty violations and environmental colonialism through a political lens.
Winona LaDuke documents Indigenous environmental movements and struggles for land reclamation. Her writing connects historical dispossession to current Indigenous resistance against resource extraction projects.
Glen Sean Coulthard analyzes Indigenous politics and resistance to settler capitalism from a Dene perspective. His book "Red Skin, White Masks" explores recognition politics and alternatives to colonial state power structures.
Vine Deloria Jr. produced foundational texts on Indigenous sovereignty and Native American political thought. His works examine tribal sovereignty, treaty rights, and Indigenous relationships to land.
Dina Gilio-Whitaker focuses on environmental justice and Indigenous rights in contemporary contexts. She writes about Native American treaty violations and environmental colonialism through a political lens.
Winona LaDuke documents Indigenous environmental movements and struggles for land reclamation. Her writing connects historical dispossession to current Indigenous resistance against resource extraction projects.