Deloria satisfactorily argues for the extended presence of "Indians" in the new world continent that goes way back before the supposed crossing of the Bering Strait land bridge12,000 - 20,000 years ago. The land bridge, according to Deloria (and he provides scholarly research from related fields such as geology and archeology), was not likely used to cross from Asia into the new world, like orthodox migration theories stipulate.The Bering Strait land bridge is just one theory. There are numerous theories and some that even have better evidence supporting them.
Another point made by Deloria is the insistence of science and scientists to outright ignore anecdotal evidence in the form of oral tradition, as well as scientific evidence that is "anomalous" and doesn't conform to orthodoxy. The result, in Deloria's observation, is that science is less about breaking new ground in exploration and discovery and more about maintaining the edifice of authority. In that regard, science is more like religion in that it adheres to a code of conduct and core mythology rather than seeing the world with open eyes.
Deloria shows that many Native American myths are indeed quite accurate modes of information transfer. With regard to some specific volcanic activity, for instance, Deloria juxtaposes Native myths of mountains rising, falling, smoking and sinking next to scientific explanations for the same geologic processes; there is no difference in the descriptions. So Deloria suggests, either the Indians were there to observe the event (otherwise why would surround peoples come up with the same or similar stories relating to the same events?) or, prior to scientists developing the science of geology itself, Indians had accurate geological knowledge of such events in their repertoire.
It's an excellent book regarding Native history (whether its 12,000 years old or 25 million years), as well as the many, many gaps in scientific evidence pertaining to evolution, as well as the bias against Indian knowledge. His information on giants and giant animals is interesting, too!
Native Pride! Happy Canada Day.
