Dancing People

Clyde Ellis is associate professor of history at Elon University. He is coauthor of The Jesus Road: Kiowas, Christianity, and Indian Hymns and author of To Change Them Forever: Indian Education at the Rainy Mountain Boarding School, 1893-1920.

A significant study that emphasizes the vitality and joy powwows have brought to the Indian peoples of the southern Plains [and] an effective counterpoint to the assertions of those who still believe that Indians are about to be fully assimilated into mainstream American culture.... Ellis merits praise for his willingness to confront issues of definition, control, power, and knowledge. He does not try to hide disagreements about past problems and contemporary issues. - Journal of American History ""A rich and informative book.... For anyone who is interested in learning more about the forces that shaped, and continue to shape, contemporary powwow culture, this study is indispensable."" - Montana The Magazine of Western History ""Ellis should be commended for his extensive archival work, encyclopedic knowledge of source materials, and deft inclusion of Native accounts.... Nothing currently available on Southern Plains powwow traditions is in its league."" - Journal of American Ethnic History ""An excellent book.... Written in an engaging style, it will be not only informative for scholars but fascinating for anyone interested in Native American culture and history."" - H-Net Reviews