Super Short Summary

The Heartbeat of Wounded Knee by David Treuer offers a comprehensive narrative of Indigenous history from 1890 to the present, emphasizing Indigenous resilience and agency rather than portraying them solely as victims. Drawing inspiration from the 1890 Wounded Knee Massacre and Dee Brown's Bury My Heart at Wounded Knee, Treuer counters Brown’s tragic narrative by documenting Indigenous communities’ endurance and adaptation in the face of displacement, forced assimilation, and cyclical poverty. The book delves into the long history of Indigenous tribes, their interactions with European settlers, and the continuous challenges and triumphs faced, including the rise of the American Indian Movement and the diverse ways Indigenous people have found prosperity in contemporary times. The text includes descriptions of historical violence and systemic oppression.