Dina Gilio-Whitaker's Who Gets to Be Indian? tackles the contentious issues of ethnic fraud, tribal disenrollment, and Native American identity in contemporary America. Through careful analysis of blood quantum, tribal sovereignty, and cultural belonging, Gilio-Whitaker examines who has the authority to determine Indigenous identity and what's at stake in these decisions. The book becomes a crucial intervention in ongoing debates about authenticity, belonging, and the colonial legacies that continue to shape Native communities.

WHY WE PICKED IT: Because Gilio-Whitaker refuses to simplify questions that have no easy answers. This book reminds us that Indigenous identity is complicated by centuries of colonial policy designed to erase Native peoples, and that conversations about who belongs require historical context, not just opinions.

DETAILS: • Author: Dina Gilio-Whitaker • Publisher: Beacon Press • Format: Hardcover • Publication Date: October 7, 2025 • ISBN: 9780807044964 • Ships direct from distributor in 3–7 business days