Critique of “Facing East from Indian Country” By Daniel K. Richter
In this book, “Facing East from Indian Country,” Daniel K. Richter attempts to examine the Euro-American conquest of Native Americans from the perspective of Native Americans themselves. While the title itself is very original, the theme is not. Many historical perspectives, encompassing many histories, have been derived from this viewpoint. However, the fact that this thesis is not completely original should in no way detract from the effectiveness of the information provided, which is abundant. Using information culled from a variety of sources, mostly secondary (although these secondary sources may be derived from primary sources), Richter offers a myriad of information to support his assertions that the Native American population had more influence on the history of colonial America than they may originally have been given credit for. It is for this reason that this is an important work and should be considered carefully when formulating an opinion regarding this important time in American history.
Richter sets out to establish Native American influences based on the chronology of events and attitudes that helped shape colonial America starting in 1497. The author is not afraid to set his story based on fictional events that he can readily apply in order to create a seamless path to a history that he can factually support. In fact, this is how he opens the book when he imagines a “Distant World.” (Richter, chapter 1) From that point forward, however, Richter utilizes solid information to support his viewpoint that in addition to Native Americans having a larger say in their own destiny during this time, there was also a misinterpretation of the influence that Euro-American’s had on the Native American response to the things that went on around them.
As indicated by the title of title of the book, the author is attempting to look at history from another perspective. Instead of facing west from white man’s country (from the Atlantic seaboard) and viewing early American history through typical white sensibilities, Daniel Richter is viewing that same history from the perspective of Native American’s and his interpretation is far more sensitive to their story than many other narratives. For example, when discussing Pontiac and his war in the Ohio valley, Richter tells of the various motivations Pontiac had in staging his “war.” (Richter, 193-201) Also, the author does a good job of setting up the following individual stories of violence between the white invaders and Native American’s by explaining the importance of their customs, such as reciprocal gift giving. (Richter, 52-53) These customs were very important to Native American’s and any deviation from these customs would be construed as disrespect. The interpretation by Native American’s that they were being disrespected led to hostilities so the importance of Indian custom was something the author clearly sought to include in the narrative. Other events, such as the seven years war are well explained and give the reader an interesting perspective on how the Native American’s in the Ohio valley area felt abandoned when their “French fathers” lost the war and gave the territory up to the British. (Richter, 185-87) These events, and many more help the reader understand how circumstances, when viewed through the eyes of the loser, rather than the winner, may offer different explanations for what occurred.
The chief complaints with this book are fairly minor and are mostly due to omissions rather than information provided. It may have been beneficial for Richter to include the Jesuit translations of Algonquin speaking tribes, which is known to be fairly accurate rather than just focusing on mistranslations from other sources. Also, when speaking of why we remember Pocahontas (Rebecca), Tekakwitha (Catherine), and Phillip, there may not be a whole lot of credence to Richter’s assertion that it is due to their English names. This does not explain why we remember Hiawatha, Techumseh or a variety of other Native American figures who were not assigned American names. Although the author does do a good job of explaining how the Ohio valley Indians were abandoned after the seven years war, it might have also been beneficial to offer more information on how the French defeat affected those tribes that supported the French afterward. While some information is provided, I feel there could have been more based on the effect the disenfranchisement had on those tribal nations. There other minor complaints but overall, this book was very effective in its reach and I would heartily recommend it.
The value this book has for this American history class is in the sympathetic, yet concise interpretation of early American history. Although many of these stories have been represented in dozens of text books, Daniel Richter illustrates these historical events in a slightly different manner, one that takes care to explain the Native American perspective as it applied and how that perspective influenced how these events occurred. By looking at early American history from Indian country and facing east, Richter attempts to offer a perspective that isn’t the typical white man’s but at the same time, the author still covers, factually, the important events that helped shape this country. This viewpoint is important in order to understand that the standard interpretation isn’t the only one available. It is for this reason that “Facing East from Indian Country” has value and should be included in any historian’s library.
Richter sets out to establish Native American influences based on the chronology of events and attitudes that helped shape colonial America starting in 1497. The author is not afraid to set his story based on fictional events that he can readily apply in order to create a seamless path to a history that he can factually support. In fact, this is how he opens the book when he imagines a “Distant World.” (Richter, chapter 1) From that point forward, however, Richter utilizes solid information to support his viewpoint that in addition to Native Americans having a larger say in their own destiny during this time, there was also a misinterpretation of the influence that Euro-American’s had on the Native American response to the things that went on around them.
As indicated by the title of title of the book, the author is attempting to look at history from another perspective. Instead of facing west from white man’s country (from the Atlantic seaboard) and viewing early American history through typical white sensibilities, Daniel Richter is viewing that same history from the perspective of Native American’s and his interpretation is far more sensitive to their story than many other narratives. For example, when discussing Pontiac and his war in the Ohio valley, Richter tells of the various motivations Pontiac had in staging his “war.” (Richter, 193-201) Also, the author does a good job of setting up the following individual stories of violence between the white invaders and Native American’s by explaining the importance of their customs, such as reciprocal gift giving. (Richter, 52-53) These customs were very important to Native American’s and any deviation from these customs would be construed as disrespect. The interpretation by Native American’s that they were being disrespected led to hostilities so the importance of Indian custom was something the author clearly sought to include in the narrative. Other events, such as the seven years war are well explained and give the reader an interesting perspective on how the Native American’s in the Ohio valley area felt abandoned when their “French fathers” lost the war and gave the territory up to the British. (Richter, 185-87) These events, and many more help the reader understand how circumstances, when viewed through the eyes of the loser, rather than the winner, may offer different explanations for what occurred.
The chief complaints with this book are fairly minor and are mostly due to omissions rather than information provided. It may have been beneficial for Richter to include the Jesuit translations of Algonquin speaking tribes, which is known to be fairly accurate rather than just focusing on mistranslations from other sources. Also, when speaking of why we remember Pocahontas (Rebecca), Tekakwitha (Catherine), and Phillip, there may not be a whole lot of credence to Richter’s assertion that it is due to their English names. This does not explain why we remember Hiawatha, Techumseh or a variety of other Native American figures who were not assigned American names. Although the author does do a good job of explaining how the Ohio valley Indians were abandoned after the seven years war, it might have also been beneficial to offer more information on how the French defeat affected those tribes that supported the French afterward. While some information is provided, I feel there could have been more based on the effect the disenfranchisement had on those tribal nations. There other minor complaints but overall, this book was very effective in its reach and I would heartily recommend it.
The value this book has for this American history class is in the sympathetic, yet concise interpretation of early American history. Although many of these stories have been represented in dozens of text books, Daniel Richter illustrates these historical events in a slightly different manner, one that takes care to explain the Native American perspective as it applied and how that perspective influenced how these events occurred. By looking at early American history from Indian country and facing east, Richter attempts to offer a perspective that isn’t the typical white man’s but at the same time, the author still covers, factually, the important events that helped shape this country. This viewpoint is important in order to understand that the standard interpretation isn’t the only one available. It is for this reason that “Facing East from Indian Country” has value and should be included in any historian’s library.
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