For Indigenous Eyes Only: A Decolonization Handbook (review)

For Indigenous Eyes Only is an anthology of original works by well-known Indigenous scholars. It is intended for use as a "tool kit" for Indigenous Peoples to critically engage the anticolonial and decolonization agenda currently sweeping across the globe. Overall, it pulls no punches. It is based on the suppositions that Indigenous America is colonized, that no one has escaped this reality, and that the only path to reconstruction and liberation is by embarking on the decolonization journey at the level of the individual, community, and nation.

The introduction provides an excellent primer on foundational concepts; colonization, decolonization, and decolonization practitioner-activism are defined and explained in lay(wo)man's language. This is one of the most valuable aspects of this book. Each author follows this practice, and the reader comes away with a concise understanding of a language that is generally inaccessible to all but the intelligentsia.

The primary theme is decolonizing Indigenous thinking and practice, and the principle tool offered for accomplishing this objective is critical thinking. In the first chapter Michael Yellow Bird sets the stage for the rest of the anthology by explaining precisely what critical thinking is, how it has been lost in Indigenous communities, and how it can be brought back.

Colonialism has impacted every facet of Indigenous history and life. To better explain how it manifests in daily life and how it can be countered, each author focuses on a specific facet. Michael Yellow Bird's chapters focus on the loss and revitalization of critical thinking and decolonizating tribal enrollment; Susan Shown Harjo focuses on the demeaning power of renaming and reidentification; James Riding In focuses on decolonizing the Native American Graves Protection and Repatriation Act; Waziyatawin's chapters focus on diet and language respectively; Robert Odawi Porter and Thohahoken each approach Indigenous governance issues; Chi'XapKaid focuses on storytelling; Cornel Pewewardy focuses on education; and Waziyatawin concludes the collection with an urgent call for national Truth Commissions, not only for public education purposes but also as a necessary step for healing and social justice.

The format clearly demonstrates that this is a "hands-on" workbook. Each chapter begins with descriptive analyses of how colonialism infuses everyday life, based on the authors' personal, observational, and scholarly experience and studies. The authors then provide a series of examples and useful hands-on activities intended to encourage readers to think deeper and more critically about their experiences and put critical thinking into practice. In addition to useful explanations and definitions built into the narratives, each chapter provides a glossary for those of us less familiar with the language of intellectual movements, as well as additional reference lists.

The personal stories and insight provided by each of the authors show us all how colonization has deeply affected us spiritually, culturally, physically, and psychologically. Another significant theme throughout the work is the belief that the foundation of the decolonization journey is the revitalization of traditional Indigenous knowledge and practices. Age-old practices, which served the ancestors well, need to be brought back into daily life in order for Indigenous people to regain balance and strength. Decolonization begins at the individual level, at the point where one makes a definitive stand to reject their victimization, restore their humanity, and take action to empower and rebuild themselves, their families, communities, and nations.

For Indigenous Eyes Only is a useful workbook for a wide range of audiences. Folks in the mainstream are provided insights seldom discussed or seriously addressed in public venues and, more importantly, are encouraged to actively do their part. It will assist folks at the community level to see their world more clearly; and for those of us who teach, it is a useful tool to help students develop the critical consciousness they need to grow in beauty and strength.