Native American Postcolonial Psychology [Paperback]

Eduardo Duran (Author), Bonnie Duran (Contributor)

Book Description

ISBN-10: 0791423549 | ISBN-13: 978-0791423547 | Publication Date: March 30, 1995

This book shows that it is necessary to understand intergenerational trauma and internalized oppression in order to understand Native Americans today. It makes Native American ways of conceptualizing the world available to readers.

This book presents a theoretical discussion of problems and issues encountered in the Native American community from a perspective that accepts Native knowledge as legitimate. Native American cosmology and metaphor are used extensively in order to deal with specific problems such as alcoholism, suicide, family, and community problems. The authors discuss what it means to present material from the perspective of a people who have legitimate ways of knowing and conceptualizing reality and show that it is imperative to understand intergenerational trauma and internalized oppression in order to understand the issues facing Native Americans today.

Editorial Reviews

About the Author

Eduardo Duran is Director of the Family and Child Guidance Clinic and Bonnie Duran is Director of the Healthy Nations Project at the Urban Indian Health Clinic in Oakland, CA.

Product Details

• Paperback: 254 pages
• Publisher: State University of New York Press (March 30, 1995)
• Language: English
• ISBN-10: 0791423549
• ISBN-13: 978-0791423547
• Product Dimensions: 9 x 6 x 0.5 inches
• Shipping Weight: 10.4 ounces (View shipping rates and policies)
• Average Customer Review: 4.8 out of 5 stars  See all reviews (8 customer reviews)
• Amazon Best Sellers Rank: #604,180 in Books (See Top 100 in Books)

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Customer Reviews

Most Helpful Customer Reviews

18 of 20 people found the following review helpful:

5.0 out of 5 stars Finally a book from "the other side", July 26, 2001

By 

P. M. Jacobsen (Birkerød, Denmark, Scandinavia) - See all my reviews
(REAL NAME)   

This review is from: Native American Postcolonial Psychology (Paperback)

This book gives a brilliant insight into the issues that Native Americans are facing as a colonialized people. I don't believe America as a whole has come to the realization of just what it did to the indigenous people and the traumatizing effect the American Dream has had on the original inhabitants. To make matters worse, these people are normally treated by individuals that only come from the Newtonian-Descartian worldview of present day mainstream psychology. When treating people from another cultural background, you need to take into account WHERE they are coming from, and what their worldview are. To not do so, is just to continue the cultural genocide that has been going on for far too long. A highly recommendable book.

14 of 15 people found the following review helpful:

5.0 out of 5 stars Must-read for those working with American Indians., June 13, 1999

By 

[e-mail] (Milwaukee, WI) - See all my reviews

This review is from: Native American Postcolonial Psychology (Paperback)

This excellent publication provides a theoretical framework for anyone interested in working with American Indians. Duran and Duran have identified the condition of inter-generational trauma and grief that permiates our American Indian families. Anyone serving First Nations Peoples must read this book!

9 of 9 people found the following review helpful:

5.0 out of 5 stars Native American Postcolonial Psychology, January 25, 2001

By A Customer

This review is from: Native American Postcolonial Psychology (Paperback)

The authors have been able to finally delineate some of the issues facing the Aboriginal community the world over. Never before has addiction been addressed in the manner we see here in the "Spirit of Alcohol" chapter. Finally, this entity called alcohol (addiction) has been named and allows for the reader to establish a relationship with it that helps in the addictive process.

As if this wasn't enough, the author has recently published "Buddha in Redface" which is similar material put into story form. The story is compelling and captivating. These two works complement each other. Must reading for anyone in the counseling, field or for those interested in looking beneath the surface.