" Extremely relevant to the field of oral history,
The American Indian Oral History Manual provides clear, succinct current oral history guidelines for nations whose history is often based largely on oral tradition. Additionally, experienced oral historians stand to learn much from this manual about the special circumstances of oral history with and for Native Americans. This book is a must-read for anyone thinking of working on an oral history project with indigenous peoples. "
- Sound Historian
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The American Indian Oral History Manual offers a clear, succinct, and practical approach to guide and encourage the collection of American Indian oral history by Indigenous peoples themselves. Building on previous work conducted for the Native American Veteran History Project, it was tested at two Great Plains states workshops (South Dakota and Nebraska) attended by representatives from tribal colleges and veteran interest groups. The authors bring a great deal of expertise to the table in producing this useful text."
- Susan D. Penfield, Center for Great Plains Studies
"...[I]t contributes to the practice of American Indian research and reflects the philosophy of Indigenous methodology, which is rooted in Indigenous knowledge and has been informed by the work of many Indigenous scholars. ...[This book] is unique in that it is a manual that has been developed to assist tribal communities in collecting oral history from their own community members. It encourages tribal control of research projects, emphasizes tribal needs and protocol, and provides a practical guide to planning, collecting, and preserving oral history while protecting, respecting, and honoring a narrator’s experience."
- American Indian Quarterly
"While this manual is must reading for anyone contemplating an oral history project involving Native American narrators or societies, its approach will be of great value to historians working with any ethnic group. Examples … are numerous throughout the manual, demonstrating the authors’ commitment to upholding specific standards and their knowledge of oral history. Any person or institution thinking of an American Indian oral history project must consider this manual for its practicality, style, and content."
- Oral History Review
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Fortunately for researchers today, clear methodology in collecting and processing oral history is available in this guide. The contents will be especially useful to tribal and urban Indian communities as well as to academic research. A great strength is the authentic tone of concern over the urgency to record the history before '...the last generation in an immemorial line of oral historians' disappears, as noted by Trimble in his introductory comments. Add to that authenticity the information on tribal protocols for approaching elders, protection of sacred stories, legal and ethical issues, and a step-by-step process for gathering oral history from distinct American Indian communities with attention to details that need to be addressed and the result is a handbook that deserves to be carried daily as projects are being developed and completed."
- Janis Fairbanks, Michigan Oral History Association Newsletter
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This is an excellent guide and sourcebook for anyone conducting oral history projects in Native American and Alaska Native contexts. The guide is equally helpful for those working in villages, reservations, and heterogeneous schools. Although written with the Lower 48 in mind, the book’s suggestions and information are relevant throughout North America. The writing is good and clear, the organization helpful, the suggestions right on point. The section on intellectual copyright is a particularly valuable contribution to the literature. The guide is both timely and timeless: its treatment of the ever-changing realm of recording equipment, which wisely references Internet resources, will remain useful for many years to come. "
- Patricia H. Partnow, Ph.D., Vice President of Cultural and Educational Services, Alaska Native Heritage Center