Picture a historian who flipped the script on American history, placing Native Americans at its heart—meet Ned Blackhawk! A Western Shoshone scholar and Yale professor, Blackhawk has reshaped how we understand the United States through his gripping books and tireless advocacy. His work, like the award-winning The Rediscovery of America, weaves Indigenous stories into the fabric of the nation’s past, challenging old narratives with a vibrant, inclusive lens.
Born into the Te-Moak Tribe of Western Shoshone in Nevada, Blackhawk’s journey from an urban upbringing in Detroit to a leading voice in Native American studies is as inspiring as his scholarship. With a knack for uncovering hidden histories, he’s become a beacon for students and readers eager to explore America’s true roots.
The Making of Ned Blackhawk
Growing up in Detroit, Ned Blackhawk embraced his Western Shoshone heritage while navigating an urban landscape. His passion for history sparked at McGill University, where he earned a bachelor’s degree in 1992. He honed his craft with a master’s from UCLA and a Ph.D. from the University of Washington in 1999, studying under renowned historian Richard White. Blackhawk’s early career at the University of Wisconsin–Madison set the stage for his move to Yale in 2009, where he became the Howard R. Lamar Professor of History and American Studies.
His drive to center Indigenous perspectives was fueled by a gap he saw in traditional histories. As a young scholar, Blackhawk felt Native stories were sidelined, inspiring him to rewrite the American narrative with Indigenous peoples as key players. His work blends rigorous research with a storyteller’s flair, making history accessible and urgent.
Ned Blackhawk’s Unforgettable Works
Blackhawk’s books are game-changers in Native American history. His 2006 debut, Violence over the Land: Indians and Empires in the Early American West, won multiple awards, including the Frederick Jackson Turner Award. It explores how Indigenous peoples shaped the American West amid colonial violence, offering a vivid portrait of resilience and adaptation in regions like Utah and Nevada.
In 2023, Blackhawk’s The Rediscovery of America: Native Peoples and the Unmaking of U.S. History took the literary world by storm, earning the National Book Award for Nonfiction. This sweeping 500-year narrative reframes U.S. history, showing how Native nations influenced events from the American Revolution to 20th-century activism. Reviewers praise its balance of big-picture insights and vivid snapshots of key figures.
He also co-edited Indigenous Visions: Rediscovering the Legacy of Franz Boas (2018), which won a Modernist Studies Association prize. This anthology dives into the anthropologist’s work with Indigenous communities, highlighting their intellectual contributions. Blackhawk’s writing is clear, urgent, and grounded in decades of scholarship, making complex histories feel alive and relevant.
Why Ned Blackhawk Matters
Ned Blackhawk’s impact goes beyond books. As a Yale professor, he’s built programs like the Yale Group for the Study of Native America and the Henry Roe Cloud Dissertation Fellowship, creating pathways for Native students and scholars. His advocacy has helped make Native American studies a thriving academic field, inspiring a new generation to explore Indigenous histories.
By placing Native peoples at the center of U.S. history, Blackhawk challenges us to rethink national myths. His work reveals the enduring power of Indigenous nations, from resisting colonial empires to shaping modern law through activism. As a Western Shoshone scholar, he embodies the resilience he writes about, ensuring Native voices resonate in classrooms and beyond.
About Ned Blackhawk
- Born: ca. 1971, member of the Te-Moak Tribe of Western Shoshone
- Key Works: Violence over the Land (2006), The Rediscovery of America (2023), Indigenous Visions (2018)
- Awards: National Book Award (2023), Frederick Jackson Turner Award (2007), Mark Lynton History Prize (2024)
- Role: Howard R. Lamar Professor at Yale University
Ready to dive into a richer American history? Grab The Rediscovery of America and let Ned Blackhawk guide you through a story where Native voices shine!