Indigenous Cities: Urban Indian Fiction and the Histories of Relocation

Laura M. Furlan's book Indigenous Cities explores how urban experiences are essential to understanding modern Indigeneity. She examines urban narratives by Native writers, filmmakers, and artists to show how Native peoples navigate new surroundings, find and reformulate community, and maintain and redefine Indian identity in the post-relocation era. Furlan argues that cities have always been Indian land and Indigenous peoples have always been cosmopolitan and urban, and that mobility and relocation are forms of resistance.

Format: Paperback / softback
Length: 356 pages
Publication date: 01 November 2021
Publisher: University of Nebraska Press

Laura M. Furlan's groundbreaking work, "Indigenous Cities," reveals the profound significance of urban experiences in understanding modern Indigeneity. By delving into urban narratives, encompassing works by renowned authors such as Sherman Alexie, Janet Campbell Hale, Louise Erdrich, and Susan Power, as well as the contributions of filmmakers and artists, Furlan intricately weaves Native identity within the frameworks of diaspora, cosmopolitanism, and transnationalism. Through these captivating stories, Native peoples navigate the complexities of new environments, forge and redefine community, and uphold and redefine their Indian identity in the post-relocation era. These narratives shed light on the evolving dynamics between urban Indigenous communities and their tribal nations and territories, highlighting how new cosmopolitan bonds shape and are interpreted by tribal identities.

While the majority of American Indigenous populations do not reside on reservations, these spaces remain central to discussions and literature surrounding Native citizenship and identity. Conversely, conversations about the shift to urban settings often revolve around themes of dispossession, subjectivity, and assimilation. Furlan challenges prevailing perspectives by critically examining Indigenous fiction from the past three decades, offering a fresh lens through which to understand urban experiences. In these narratives, Indian bodies transcend state-imposed borders and are not confined to traditional notions of Indian Country. Furlan astutely demonstrates that cities have always been Indigenous land, and Indigenous peoples have always been cosmopolitan and urban.

Through her meticulous research and insightful analysis, Furlan unveils the rich tapestry of urban Indigenous life, challenging stereotypes and illuminating the complexities of identity formation in urban contexts. "Indigenous Cities" is a seminal work that contributes to our understanding of contemporary Indigenous societies and their dynamic relationship with urban environments. It underscores the importance of recognizing the urban experiences of Native peoples and their contributions to the broader fabric of urban life.

Dimension: 229 x 152 (mm)
ISBN-13: 9781496228208