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Native American Studies:  Basic Sources

The Libraries of the USF System web page ( http://www.lib.usf.edu ) is the starting point for locating materials relating to Native America.   Generally, books on Native American studies may be found in the call number range E77-E99. Many books may be located in the Libraries of the USF System Online Catalog using the subject heading:   Indians of North America.   Specific topics may be located using a subdivision of the main topic: Indians of North America-Government Relations; Indians of North America-Medical Care; Indians of North America-Religion; Indians of North America-Rites and ceremonies, etc.    Consult The Libraries of the USF System Online Catalog or the Library of Congress Subject Headings books for additional suggestions.

Indexes to Journal and Newspaper Articles

The following databases are located via the Libraries of the USF System web site (http://www.lib.usf.edu).

Go to the "Databases by Title" or the "Databases by Subject-Anthropology" links to locate a particular database.

America : History and Life

              Provides indexing to more than 2000 journals covering topics relevant to North American history.

Anthropological Index ( follow links to Anthropology Plus)                     

Anthropological Literature ( follow links to Anthropology Plus)             

Anthropology Plus

              This large database combines two former resources: Anthropological Index and Anthropological Literature. This database provides indexing to journal articles and reports in anthropology and related disciplines.   Coverage dates back to the late 19 th century.   Note that this is an international resource and not all articles will be written in English.

Ethnic NewsWatch

              Balanced research techniques consider multiple viewpoints and this database can help provide that balance.   Full-text access is included for articles from more than 200 minority press journals dating back to 1990.   "Native People" may be selected as an ethnic group in the search form.

Expanded Academic ASAP

              This multi-disciplinary database provides straight-forward searching.   Topics may easily be limited to full-text and to refereed (peer-reviewed) journals.

Lexis Nexis Academic    

              This extensive database is best known for its up-to-date news, financial, and legal information.   Some minority presses are also included.   To locate these, go to "news" "general news" and select "ethnic news" from the pull-down box.   Remember that this vast database defaults to a search of the most recent six months.   If you do not locate information in that time frame, consider searching the back files listed in the pull-down menus.

Wilson OmniFile

A large, multi-disciplinary database providing indexing to a wide variety of journals and topics.   Searches may be limited to full-text articles and to peer-reviewed journals.

Selected Dictionaries and Encyclopedias

Many additional dictionaries and encyclopedias are available at the Poynter Library .   Consult with a reference librarian to locate additional specialized materials.

Archaeology of Prehistoric Native America : An Encyclopedia .              REF   E77.9.A72 1998.

              Entries are organized by major cultural areas and include information on major archaeological sites, food resources, archaeologists, etc.   Signed articles include brief bibliographies.   An extensive subject index helps to locate specific topics.

Encyclopedia of American Indian Costume.      REF E98.C8 P37 1994.

              Arranged by geographic area then by tribe, each entry includes basic dress for men and women, footwear, headgear, armor, hairstyles, and jewelry.   Numerous black-and-white photographs enhance the volume.

Encyclopedia of Native American Religions.   REF E98.R3 H73 2000.

              Includes brief entries on a wide variety of topics relating to Native American religion.   A lengthy bibliography is included in the back of the volume.

Encyclopedia of Native American Shamanism: Sacred Ceremonies of North America .  

              REF E98.M4 L98 1998.

              An anthropological look at Native American medicine, written from the perspective of the natives.   Arranged alphabetically, most entries indicate the relevant tribe or tribes.   An extensive list of references at the back of the volume is followed by a bibliography on ethnobotany.

Gale Encyclopedia of Native American Tribes .   REF E77.G15 1998.

              This four volume set has slightly shorter entries than those in the UXL Encyclopedia of Native American Tribes ; however, it has a much broader scope with coverage of nearly 400 Native American groups.   Essays cover history, language, culture, and current issues.

UXL Encyclopedia of Native American Tribes.              REF E76.2.U85 1999.

              A useful place to begin research on a particular tribe.   Entries include maps, history, population, language, religion, customs, current issues, notable people, etc. for 80 Native American tribes, confederacies, and groups.   A brief glossary and a general timeline are included near the front of volume 1 and an extensive bibliography is located in volume 4.

Additional Reference Materials

              Listed below are some recent reference resources that may be of interest.   Many additional materials may be located in the reference stacks in the call number areas listed at the beginning of this bibliography.

American Indian History.           REF E77.A496 2003.

              Alphabetical listing of significant events in American Indian history.   Along with each brief essay, entries identify the date of the event and the tribes involved.   A good place to locate basic information on tribal wars and government Acts.   Appendices in volume 2 include a gazetteer, a timeline, and a lengthy bibliography of additional print and web resources.

Atlas of the North American Indian.     REF E77.W195.

              Arranged alphabetically by broad subject, this one-volume atlas provides current and historical maps along with significant explanatory text.   Useful appendices include a chronology dating from ca.35,000 B.C. to 2000 A.D., and an extensive listing of North American Indian Nations with languages and geographic locations.

Biographical Dictionary of American Indian History to 1900 .    REF E89.W35 2001.

              Brief biographical entries serve as a beginning step for locating information on people who had an impact on Native American history.   Arranged alphabetically, the volume includes indexes by tribe, area of activity, historical period, and subject.   Information on more recent Native Americans of fame may be found in Notable Native Americans .

Chronology of American Indian History.     REF E77.S72 2001

              Arranged chronologically and dating back to ca. 25,000 B.C., this resource provides more depth than the timelines included within most other reference materials.   A subject index is included in the back of the volume to help locate particular events.

eHRAF: Collection of Ethnography   Libraries of the USF System database.

              This database provides extensive full-text access to documents relating to cultures around the world.   This is a growing database and not all cultures are covered; however, some Native American cultures such as the Hopi, Tlingit, and Seminole tribes are included.   Use the "browse culture" feature to easily locate a particular culture.

Handbook of North American Indians.           REF E77.H25

              Considered a definitive source for Native American studies, this multi-volume set includes lengthy essays on tribes, language, history, beliefs.   An extensive bibliography is located at the back of each volume.   Volume 4 is devoted entirely to an analysis of the history of Indian-White relations.

Native North American Almanac.         REF E77.N37 2001.

              A vast resource on basic facts relating to Native Americans.   Arranged by categories including:   chronology, demography, major culture areas, languages, law and legislation, activism, environment, religion, the arts, literature, media, health, education, and the economy.   Supplemental material includes a glossary, a bibliography, and a subject index.

Notable Native Americans.         REF E89.N67 1995

              Brief biographical entries for more than 265 famous Native American men and women.   Coverage includes both historical and recent figures.   Many entries include a black-and-white photograph and a brief bibliography.   The volume also includes a subject index as well as lists by tribal group/nation and by occupation/tribal role.

Statistical Record of Native North Americans.           REF E98.P76 S73 1993.

              Though slightly dated, this resource contains a wealth of statistical data in an easy-to-use format.   Historical data, demographics (mostly from 1980-1990), health, education, social, and economic information is included.

Journals

The Poynter Library does not subscribe to print journals devoted exclusively to Native American issues; however, many titles are available through full-text databases such as Ethnic Newswatch or Lexis Nexis Academic .   Many additional articles may be located within other multi-disciplinary journals.   Use the USF Library databases to locate articles, and then access the Libraries of the USF System Online Catalog to locate specific holdings.   More titles may be available through interlibrary loan.

Internet Resources

              For Internet resources relating to Native American studies, go to the Libraries of the USF System web site "Electronic Resources" area , choose "selected websites" then "anthropology." The Libraries of the USF System web site is available at http://www.lib.usf.edu .

Prepared by Tina Neville                                                                 

January 2004