Everything You Wanted to Know About Indians But Were Afraid to Ask 

Introduction to Anton Treuer's talk at Greenway Public Schools in Cohasset, MN, on April 24, 2024.
From the acclaimed Ojibwe author and professor Anton Treuer comes an essential book of questions and answers for Native and non-Native readers alike.
Ranging from “Why is there such a fuss about nonnative people wearing Indian costumes for Halloween?” to “Why is it called a ‘traditional Indian fry bread taco’?“ to “What’s it like for natives who don’t look native?” to “Why are Indians so often imagined rather than understood?”, and beyond, Everything You Wanted to Know About Indians But Were Afraid to Ask does exactly what its title says, in a style consistently thoughtful, personal, and engaging.
Updated and expanded to include:
* Dozens of New Questions and New Sections-including a social activism section that explores the Dakota Access Pipeline, racism, identity, politics, and more!
* Over 50 new Photos
* Adapted text for broad appeal
White/Indian relations are often characterized by guilt and anger. Everything You Wanted to Know about Indians But Were Afraid to Ask cuts through the emotion and builds a foundation for true understanding and positive action.
Praise:
GOLDEN KITE AWARD WINNER
CHICAGO PUBLIC LIBRARY’S BEST OF THE BEST
KIRKUS’ BEST OF THE YEAR
ABC GROUP BEST BOOKS FOR YOUNG READERS
TLA’S 2022 TEXAS TOPAZ READING LIST
CHICAGO PUBLIC LIBRARY’S BEST TEEN BOOK COVERS OF THE YEAR
ILLUMINATIVE CHILDREN’S BOOK GIFT GUIDE
AICL'S BEST BOOKS OF 2021
A JUNIOR LIBRARY GUILD SELECTION
2022 TEXAS TOPAZ SELECTION
CYBILS AWARDS FINALIST
CCBC CHOICES
UNDERSTAND NATIVE MINNESOTA ONE-READ
VOLUNTEER STATE BOOK AWARD
“A wide-ranging compendium of provocative questions and satisfying answers. Perfect for browsing or a deep dive.”
-San Francisco Chronicle
★ “Wise, well-researched, and not to be missed. This collection of short essays about Native Americans is comprehensive, equitable, and generous.”
-Kirkus (starred)
★ “Reading this book is like enjoying a talk with a close relative who wants you to learn, grow, and continue to ask questions. This book is an important resource about contemporary North American Indigenous peoples. ­Recommend for all libraries.”
-SLJ (starred)
“A personal, reflective, yet thoroughly grounded take on the present as well as the past, and it’s a great starting place for young readers beginning to ask these exact questions.” -BCCB
“A comprehensive and stimulating read.”
-Shelf-Awareness
“An excellent resource that should be in every middle and high school.”
-School Library Connection
“This would be a good resource for readers to begin learning about Native American histories, lives, and cultures.”
-Horn Book
“Treuer imbues his research and cultural commentary with both humanity and style. An astonishing depth of knowledge and insight complements his conversational writing voice. Treuer’s latest release should be on every American bookshelf - and in every American history classroom.”
-Cowboys and Indians
“This is a thoughtful, useful book.”
-The Circle News
“An essential book of questions and answers for Native and non-Native young readers.”
-IllumiNative
“Nothing quite like this book has been available previously. Summing up: Essential.” -CHOICE
“Straightforward, fascinating, funny, and often wise, Everything You Wanted to Know about Indians But Were Afraid to Ask is a wonderful resource for non-Indians and Indians too. (There are plenty of things we want to know about each other.) It is that rare thing-an informational and entertaining read.” -Louise Erdrich
“This book marks Anton Treuer’s shift from an expert on Ojibwe history and language to one of the most powerful tribal voices on most things Indian. Informed, compassionate, funny, and provocative, Everything You Wanted to Know About Indians But Were Afraid to Ask is a truly needed and compelling read.” -Rex Lee Jim, Vice President of Navajo Nation
“Everything You Wanted to Know about Indians does more than answer the questions. It raises other questions about civilization and religion. It does what a book should do.” -Basil Johnston, award winning author of The Manitous and many other books on Ojibwe history and culture
“Anton Treuer is a consummate bridge-builder. Patient and pointed in equal measure, Everything You Wanted to Know about Indians inspires readers to embrace human commonality-and when confronted with issues of social and cultural difference, to engage our better natures.” -Philip J. Deloria, Carroll Smith-Rosenberg Collegiate Professor, University of Michigan, and author of Indians in Unexpected Places
“President John F. Kennedy said it best in 1960: ‘American Indians remain probably the least understood and most misunderstood Americans of us all.’ I highly recommend this extraordinary book that makes every effort to set the record straight.” -Tim Giago (Oglala Lakota), President, Unity South Dakota Foundation