The Indian’s Book

The Indians' Book is a significant publication by Natalie Curtis Burlin, an American ethnomusicologist. Published in 1907, it is a vital source for understanding the music and lore of Native American tribes, primarily from the Southwest, but also including groups from Maine and British Columbia. Burlin dedicated herself to archiving and advocating for Native American and African-American musical traditions after a transformative visit to Arizona in 1900. She successfully appealed to President Theodore Roosevelt to lift a ban on the performance of Native American music, gaining access to ceremonies and diligently recording songs, poetry, and tales. The book, which has seen multiple editions, draws from 18 different tribes. Burlin also contributed to the preservation and promotion of African-American music, organizing concerts and transcribing folk songs.1