News Media and the Indigenous Fight for Federal Recognition

by Cristina Azocar

Overview

Federal recognition enables tribes to govern themselves and make decisions for their citizens that have the power to retain their cultures. But over the last forty years, the news media coverage of the federal recognition of tribes has perpetuated ignorance and stereotypes about tribal sovereignty. This book examines how past coverage has prioritized gaming over sovereignty and interfered in Tribes’ ability to be federally recognized. Scholars of journalism, mass communication, media studies, and indigenous studies will find this book of particular interest.

Product Details

ISBN-13:	9781793640413
Publisher:	Lexington Books
Publication date:	02/19/2024
Pages:	172
Product dimensions:	5.92(w) x 8.96(h) x 0.52(d)

About the Author

Cristina Azocar is professor of journalism at San Francisco State University.

Table of Contents

Preface: A Story

Acknowledgments

Chapter One: Federal Recognition, Jim Crow, and the News Media

Chapter Two: Who is Indian and Who Decides?

Chapter Three: Federal Recognition and White Supremacy

Chapter Four: Hegemony, Framing, and Agenda-Setting in Indian Country

Chapter Five: Indigenous Standpoint Theory and News Coverage

Chapter Six: History of News Coverage of Federal Recognition

Chapter Seven: Forty Years of News Coverage of Federal Recognition

Chapter Eight: Coverage of the Federal Recognition of Virginia Tribes

Chapter Nine: Indigenous News Coverage of Federal Recognition

Chapter Ten: Perspectives from Native Journalists and Legal Experts on Covering Federal

Recognition: Indigenous Standpoint Theory in Action

Chapter Eleven: Federal Recognition Does Not Equate to Casinos

Chapter Twelve: Indigenous Standpoint Journalism for Non-Indigenous Journalists

Epilogue: A Final Story Federal Recognition and COVID-19 and Casinos

Appendices

Bibliography

Index

About the Author

Editorial Reviews

"Who is an Indian and who decides? These important questions are at the center of Azocar's research, which challenges the centuries-long efforts of the U.S. government--aided by racist media stereotypes--to 'erase' Indigenous peoples in America. Azocar confronts this shameful legacy directly, documenting bureaucratic obstacles to federal recognition as well as the mainstream media's willful ignorance of Indigenous histories, cultures, and perspectives."

This book is eye-opening academic research on "history", identity and millions of dollars connected to avoiding erasure. A must read for scholars.

This is an excellent treatise on paper genocide. Azocar expertly describes the impact of forces that combine to deny the legal existence of Native nations: structural and institutional racism and news coverage that ignores tribal sovereignty and conflates the federal acknowledgment process with the ability to operate casinos. This is a must read for any journalist covering Indian Country.

From the Publisher

This is an excellent treatise on paper genocide. Azocar expertly describes the impact of forces that combine to deny the legal existence of Native nations: structural and institutional racism and news coverage that ignores tribal sovereignty and conflates the federal acknowledgment process with the ability to operate casinos. This is a must read for any journalist covering Indian Country.

Patty Loew

This book is eye-opening academic research on "history", identity and millions of dollars connected to avoiding erasure. A must read for scholars.

Victoria LaPoe

"Who is an Indian and who decides? These important questions are at the center of Azocar’s research, which challenges the centuries-long efforts of the U.S. government—aided by racist media stereotypes—to 'erase' Indigenous peoples in America. Azocar confronts this shameful legacy directly, documenting bureaucratic obstacles to federal recognition as well as the mainstream media’s willful ignorance of Indigenous histories, cultures, and perspectives."

John Coward