Who Gets to Be Indian?

In Who Gets to Be Indian?, scholar Dina Gilio-Whitaker explores the commodification of Native American identity, examining how settler capitalism has distorted and weaponized Indianness. Through a critical lens, she investigates ethnic fraud and the impact of cultural appropriation, including a case study of Sacheen Littlefeather, revealing the ways in which the film industry has contributed to this confusion. Drawing from rigorous research and personal experience, Gilio-Whitaker sheds light on the disconnect many individuals with legitimate Native heritage face, urging readers to confront the realities of identity in contemporary America.