The 'Drunken Indian:' Myth Distilled into Reality Through Federal Indian Alcohol Policy
78 Pages Posted: 17 Jul 2008
Date Written: 1996
Abstract
Media stereotypes of Indians abound. The myth of the "drunken Indian" competes with the myth of the "noble savage." Federal Indian alcohol policy helps to perpetuate the myth of out of control alcohol problems in Indian Country. This Article addresses the history of federal alcohol control, policies, and paternalism over American Indian Nations and Indian people. Indian Nations should be allowed to determine and should take control over alcohol issues on their reservations and for their citizens.
Keywords: alcohol, alcoholism, American Indian alcohol policy, prohibition, dry reservations, federal paternalism
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