Leading a Good Life: The White Earth Anishinaabeg in Transitional Times

Abstract

I examine local processes in the White Earth Nation in the context of the rise and decline of the United States as the world's hegemonic power. I focus on two periods of economic downturn, the Great Depression and the Great Recession, which occurred during the hegemonic transition.

Using the case of the White Earth Nation, I illustrate that Native peoples have managed to keep their communities together and maintain the basic aspects of self-government even in these difficult times. My findings suggest that adherence to the Anishinaabe moral ideal of mino-bimaadiziwin and cooperative and reciprocal relationships helped maintain the structure of community and restore the balance in life.

Keywords

• White Earth Nation
• hegemonic transition
• Great Depression
• Indian New Deal
• Indian Reorganization Act
• Great Recession
• White Earth constitutional reform
• mino-bimaadiziwin