Indians In Unexpected Places Summary

In Philip J. Deloria’s Athletic chapter from his book “Indians in unexpected places” he talks about his grandfather’s connection to sports. He goes into further detail about how his grandfather’s place in sports is similar to other Native Americans. Native Americans used sports as a way to find their place in a new society. Sports was also used to strengthen the community. “Many Indian communities responded by drawing webs of kingship and unity ever tighter, trying to keep sport stars humble” (113). Athletics was now being used to bring all of the community, especially in times when it seemed divided. Sports also disproved the “Vanishing Indian” idea because society saw Native Americans playing in these sports and saw that they still existed.

Natives were able to go to college, travel and earn their place in interracial interactions.

Before reading the chapter I assumed it was just going to be about basketball and mascots.

When I think about Natives in sports that is what comes to mind first. I was pleasantly surprised how the chapter did not mention any of these things. Deloria took a refreshing and deeper approach to what sports meant and how it affected the Native community. One topic that stood out to be was the sense of community. “The unifying power of spectator sports offered a sense of community” (118). This reminded me about the Bayfield girls high school basketball team past season. I should mention all-girls on the team had Native American in them. For the first time in the school’s history the girls time was doing well, so well that there were only a game away from going to state. Sadly, they lost that game, but more importantly, they brought the whole community together. People who had not been to games in years were now coming out to support. In Red Cliff especially there had been a lot of division and now, thanks to basketball there was now unity again. I also really liked how Deloria did not just focus on Jim Thorpe because, like he mentions in the chapter he is the only native athlete that nonnatives know about. Instead talks a lot about his grandfather’s experiences and other native experiences. Showing that one well known athlete is not the only athlete that was good. Also showed not one athlete should be able define all Native Americans athletic abilities. To me this kind of

shows how society likes to use one example, or person to create expectations for all Native Americans.

I think critics discussing representation would this chapter to show how athletics influenced society’s views about Native Americans. “Indians could be objects, not simply of racial repulsion, but also- as the reflected nostalgia for community, spirituality, and nature- of racial desire” (120). Native Americans were being recruited for sports and being admired for their athletic ability. Sports brought Native Americans fame and a place in society. People could no longer deny their presence or importance. Native Americans have always been important, but sports made nonnatives see that. Critics could also talk about how sports helped Native Americans ease into interracial interactions. Also trying to define themselves among the new expectations placed on them.