A CENTURY OF DISHONOR: A SKETCH OF THE UNITED STATES GOVERNMENT’S  DEALINGS WITH SOME OF THE INDIAN TRIBES. By Helen Hunt Jackson. Norman, OK: University of Oklahoma  Press (1005 Asp Avenue, 73019-0445), 1995. Paperbound. 528 Pp. ISBN Number 0-8061-2726-0. $14.95. Helen Hunt Jackson began writing professionally at age 35. She first became involved with the plight of the American Indian in 1879 after attending a lecture illuminating the poor living conditions and mistreatment the Ponca tribe was undergoing. Jackson became enamored with this issue, she effectively wielded her writing skills to illuminate the plight of the Ponca’s to the general public through the publication of numerous in-depth letters to the editors of many major eastern newspapers. She furthered her cause by writing personal letters to prominants such as Henry Wadsworth Longfellow and Oliver Wendell Holmes and became heavily involved in literary sparring matches with the Secretary of the Interior and others who disagreed with her cause.   Her crusade was successful in obtaining federal resolve of many of the issues facing the Poncas. While battling for the rights of the Ponca, Helen Hunt Jackson began working on “A Century of Dishonor”, a lengthy manuscript exploring the history of the Delaware, Cheyenne, Nez Perce, Sioux, Ponca, Winnebago, and Cherokee and their dealings with the United States government. Originally published in 1881, “A Century of Dishonor” spotlights the shortcomings of the government’s Indian policy and dutifully records the inhumane treatment these tribes have received. Jackson predicted shortly before her death in 1885 that “A Century of Dishonor” and her other Indian writings would be her most important contribution in life. Unfortunately, little overall reform was accomplished during her lifetime. As she predicted, however, “A Century of Dishonor” has served well in awakening the general public to the dilemma of the American Indian, furthering Helen Hunt Jackson’s cause into the future over 100 years past her death.  Republished several times in various formats this latest publication of “A Century of Dishonor” devotes 171 pages to the inclusion of Jackson’ s original appendix, and a 15 page index. “A Century of Dishonor” is as relevant today as it was when it was originally published. It is a valuable addition to any library on Native American issues. Anita Cheek Moon, Member Reviewers’ Consortium
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