American Indian Studies chronicle published
Book celebrates diversity, center’s 25th anniversary
By Alisa Ulferts
Daily Bruin Senior Staff
After enduring nearly a century of enslavement at the hands of
European immigrants, members of the Cherokee Indian tribe revolted
and fought with the British in the War of 1776 Â that was just
the beginning.
In celebration of its 25th anniversary this year, UCLA’s
American Indian Studies Center released its recently completed
"Chronology of Native North American History." The work chronicles
important historical figures and events in Native American history
from the pre-Columbian era to modern day.
"This is certainly the most comprehensive chronology available
today," said Professor Duane Champagne, director of the studies
center. "There’s a real emphasis on contemporary issues. About half
of the chronicle is after 1966," Champagne said.
The 650-page book encompasses a wide range of fields of
development  including activism, environment, literature and
sports. Champagne said the center wanted to capture the diversity
of Native American historical development.
"There is always a vision that Native American groups are
homogenous when in reality their languages and cultures are very
different," said Champagne.
"We wanted to show how they have tried to survive over the past
500 years  how different cultures have reacted differently to
colonization," Champagne added. The book details the events that
shaped the lives of Native Americans, from the ancient
Paleo-Indians to present-day tribes.
While the book will not be included in the required readings for
an American Indians Studies class tentatively scheduled for spring
1995, Champagne said a middle school version of the text is planned
for junior high classrooms.
"Publishers want to break into the multicultural curriculum
market," he said. The junior high publication represents a new
movement in American curricular development.
"Even five or six years ago you probably couldn’t find someone
to publish this book," Champagne said."
Together with graduate students and UCLA staff researchers,
Champagne worked on the chronology for over a year, and it is the
fifth publication the center has completed this year.