Nation Within: Navajo Land and Economic Development

Ezra Rosser's book "A Nation Within" explores the connection between land-use patterns and development in the Navajo Nation, highlighting the challenges of resource exploitation and political corruption in implementing land reforms for economic development.

Format: Paperback / softback
Length: 300 pages
Publication date: 07 October 2021
Publisher: Cambridge University Press

In his book "A Nation Within: The Struggle for Development on the Navajo Reservation," Ezra Rosser delves into the intricate relationship between land-use patterns and development within the Navajo Nation. Spanning approximately the size of Ireland or West Virginia, the Navajo reservation has witnessed a series of natural resource-driven development waves over the past century, including grazing, over-grazing, oil and gas extraction, uranium mining, and coal mining. Despite these efforts, the Navajo people continue to face persistently high rates of unemployment and poverty.

Rosser meticulously explores the connection between the exploitation of these resources and the expansion of the tribal government. He then turns his attention to the contemporary challenges of land use and development on the reservation. He argues that, in addition to the political complexities inherent in any significant change, external pressures and internal corruption have posed significant obstacles to the tribe's ability to implement land reforms that could create the necessary space for economic development to benefit both the Navajo Nation and its tribal members.

The book offers a comprehensive analysis of the historical, social, and economic factors that have shaped the Navajo Nation's development trajectory. Rosser sheds light on the complex interplay between government policies, corporate interests, and indigenous cultures, highlighting the struggles and successes of the Navajo people in their quest for self-determination and economic prosperity.

Through his insightful storytelling and rigorous research, Rosser provides a valuable contribution to the understanding of indigenous communities and the challenges they face in the pursuit of sustainable development. "A Nation Within" is a must-read for anyone interested in Native American history, culture, and the ongoing struggle for social justice and equality.

Weight: 476g
Dimension: 152 x 230 x 23 (mm)
ISBN-13: 9781108987448