Northern Paiutes of the Malheur, by David H. Wilson, Jr., is a book that reveals a true story that is well researched and documented historically. Some readers may be affected by these triggers: vivid descriptions of detailed scalpings and wounds, and the inhumane handling and desecration of Native American skulls and Black skulls. Moreover, there were several main characters in sharp detail throughout the historical novel, maps, and many photos to paint a more thorough visual to add to the story. Some major characters are Nancy Egan: spokesperson for the Egan family. Chief Egan: a Chayuse who became a Paiute Chief in 1873. Chief Weyouwewa-head Paiute Chief until death in 1873. Chief Winnemucca- Nevada Chief who came to Malheur Reservation in Oregon in 1875 with daughter Sarah Winnemucca. Also, many officials of the Interior Department and military personnel.

In the beginning, the Paiutes were strong, proud, independent people who lived off their land. Consequently, the Paiutes lost more land and vegetation, and independence as time passed. In 1850, the Donations Claims Act accelerated a different kind of immigrant. They claimed all of the fertile lands from the Paiutes. Finally, in the fall of 1873, Paiutes moved onto Malheur Reservation. Chief Egan wanted peace, but the Indian agent, William Rhinehart, for Malheur Reservation twisted the truth regarding Chief Egan in his reports. The U. S. government did not fulfill several treaties, Native tribes fought wars, and they were starving, misplaced, ill, and dying. They ended up with smaller reservations when they were used to being free on their land.

This book had a great impact on me because it is a true historical account of the Paiutes story of independence and struggles and finding their way again. The maps and photos are a priceless addition to history we can view to look back at history.

I recommend this book to everyone, especially if you desire an in-depth look at the history of Native America.

This review based on an e-ARC made available through NetGalley and University of Nebraska Press.

This book. I have many thoughts so here is a random list:

- ONE: I loved it.
- Wilson writes in an engaging manner, while still maintaining a professional manner. He really brings alive the people involved in the story.
- It includes photographs, which I love in my non-fiction books. It helps the reader visualize and is an important part of the historical academic tradition.
- This book reminds me of why Critical Race Theory is So Important. There are So Many narratives that have been told from only the colonizers point of view. It is so, so important to hear more voices, to look at history Critically, to analyze assumptions and to look at where the evidence leads.
- I had to occasionally take breaks because the violence done to the Paiutes is simply heart-breaking. This violence is still occurring so these kinds of books are So Important to help educate people.
- I appreciated that the author explains why he is the one writing this story & made sure to communicate with Egan's descendants.
- More people need to know about the corpse-robbing that happened. How many indigenous skulls are just sitting in a box in some museum because some "scientist" decided that indigenous and black people were less human because of their skull shapes? The fact that doctors were swooping through battlefields to cut off people's heads and steal their belongings for museums is just... Horrifying. There are STILL indigenous peoples' family heirlooms being kept in museums. The MET has several indigenous blankets that they REFUSE to return to the descendants. This isn't something that has ever stopped happening.

Absolutely would recommend reading this. I learned so much.

This book tells the story of the Paiutes in Oregon and their struggles to maintain their lifestyle from encroaching settlers. They were a challenge for the government to deal with due to their small bands of family related villages that were widely scattered and hard to age to. It covers their plight from the early 1800s to the 1930s. I highly recommend this book for anyone with an interest in western history.

I received a free Kindle copy of this book courtesy of Net Galley and the publisher with the understanding that I would post a review on Net Galley, Goodreads, Amazon, Facebook and my nonfiction book review blog.