Traces the different social, ethnic, and racial connotations of the word "mulatto" since the Spanish colonization of the Americas. Stresses the fact that in Spanish America, the word more often referred to individuals of Black and American Indian admixture than to those of Black and White (Spanish) admixture. (GC)

Provides a brief account of early French contacts with various north and south American natives. Includes a reproduction of an early woodcut depicting Brazilian natives and a statement by Father Charles Lalement which characterizes the American Indians as filthy, violent savages. (JDH)

Native American science is defined as activities of native peoples of the New World in observing physical phenomena and attempting to explain and control them. Problems in studying native science, ethnoscience and native science, archaeostronomy and ethnoastronomy, ethnobotany, agriculture, technology, and future directions are discussed. (JN)

A broad, hemispheric approach to American history, called the Bolton thesis or a history of the Americas, can contribute something unique to a college curriculum formerly dependent on the more traditional surveys. It also poses some extraordinary challenges. Guidelines for teaching such a course are presented. (RM)

Describes the American Indian "Holocaust," decimation of Indian populations following European discovery of the Americas. European and African diseases, warfare with Europeans, and genocide reduced native populations from 75 million to only a few million. Discusses population statistics and demographic effects of epidemics, continuing infection,…

Reviews the life of Columbus and European conditions that led to the age of exploration. Discusses how the ethnocentric legend of the "discovery" of America grew as part of the glorious history of Western civilization. Examines the doctrine of discovery as a European agreement legitimizing exploitation of indigenous peoples. (SV)

Argues that, in the current portrayal of Columbus' arrival in America, American Indians have become the new heroes and models to be imitated. Discusses the native peoples and their societies at the time of Columbus including diversity among peoples, development of civilizations, view of the cosmos, and political development. (JB)

Argues for comparative studies focusing on similarities between the Nazi Holocaust of Europe's Jews and the American Indian experience of five centuries of extermination policies. Suggests themes for such studies: causes, events, and consequences of holocausts; perceptions of survivors and outsiders; what holocausts destroy; and impact on…

Reviews controversies concerning celebrating the 500th anniversary of Columbus' landing in America. Summarizes historians' perspectives concerning that event, including the following: (1) who was first; (2) discovery or invasion; (3) native population numbers; (4) how so few conquered so many; (5) Columbus and slavery; and (6) Columbus and…

The Newberry Library, (Chicago, Illinois) lays claim to holding within the Edward E. Ayer collection the finest singler collection of books on the culture and history of native america. This paper discusses the mandates and challenges that confronted the Newberry staff when it mounted its quincentennial exhibition entitled, "American in…

The media imperialism approach to studies of communications in South America lacks sensitivity to the historical dimension, and tends to define the issues of western media imperialism in the context of the United States post-World War II ascendancy to world power. Through an examination of the expansion of U. S. communication interests into Latin…

Points out similarities in the histories of Canadian and Peruvian government policies on the formal schooling of Native peoples. Discusses the divestment of Native cultural capital, loss of human potential, and lack of recognition of a fundamental Aboriginal right in both countries. Contains 20 references. (SV)

Reviews plans in Spain and the Americas for observances of the 1992 Columbus Quincentenary. Reflects on Indian responses to these observances and resistance to the notion of America's "discovery." Includes testimonies from Indian voices: N. Scott Momaday, Suzan Shown Harjo, Beverly Singer, Ladonna Harris, Rayna Green, and Tim Coulter.…

Discusses the origins and impact of the Piri Reis map, an early world map based on the voyages of Columbus and 20 other source maps. Maintains that evidence exists that Christopher Columbus may have drawn part of the map. Includes lengthy quotes from the map's legend written by Reis. (CFR)

Dialogue and illustrations trace the history of the first peoples of South, Central, and North America and encourage students to look at past and present patterns of colonialism and to view colonialism from the perspective of the colonized. Chapter 1 critiques Columbus 500 years after founding the first colony in the Americas. Chapter 2 presents…