George-Kanentiio, a Mohawk journalist, tells from firsthand experience what forces have conspired to pull the Iroquois apart as a culture, a confederacy, and within each component nation. Christianity and the hegemonic policies of the US and Canada are to blame, but also the greed of Iroquois individuals. Rather than heeding the Code of Handsome Lake, developed in the 1800s, or the modern wisdom of Ray Fadden, some Iroquois in the 1980s sought personal wealth and local autonomy through gambling operations….In 1990, when Mohawks, including the author and his relatives at Akwesasne, tried to stop casinos in their territory, self-proclaimed warriors met them with violence, to which they responded in kind. Two men died. The author was accused and acquitted in one count of second-degree murder. The book's warning is heartfelt and compelling. Highly recommended. General and undergraduate collections.

Choice

In well-crafted chapters George-Kanentiio traces the history of Akwesasne from when the Mohawks were independent, free-spirited peoples to the present community torn apart by internecine conflict and seriously affected by environmental degradation. He is especially effective in explaining how the Mohawks were dispossessed after the American Revolution.

American Indian Quarterly

[W]ill learn about Native Americans and their issues and gain new perspectives on the history of the Americas' first human inhabitants. Iroquois on Fire: A Voice from the Mohawk Nation explores details of the Iroquois multibillion-dollar land claims against the state of New York. The story is written from an Iroquois perspective by a man who is a member of the Mohawk Nation. George-Kanentho is actively involved in tribal affairs and dedicated to preserving the traditions of his people. He uses aspects of his personal story to highlight issues of public interest, such as the land, family and community, geography, federal interference in tribal affairs, religion, political activism, land use/claims and connections to organized crime.

Multicultural Review

[A] disturbing book that will cause a stir….Former Cherokee Nation Chief Wilma Mankiller calls Iroquois on Fire an extraordinary description of the struggles, conflict and determination of traditional people….If you are interested in contemporary issues among Native Americans, this book gives them to you, intimately and with passion.

Connecticut Post Online