Boston, New York Graphic Society, (1976). Highwater was one of the controversial figures among contemporary American Indian writers. Critics have claimed that he was not of Native American descent and that his claiming to be represented another case of exploitation of Native Americans -- in this case, Native American heritage and ethnicity itself, and the "authenticity" that comes with it -- by self-promoting whites. On the other hand, Highwater, who said he was adopted and that he did not know for certain his true parentage, wrote extensively on American Indian culture and was one of the most visible promoters of Native American interests. He won awards for his writing and his other works, including some from Native American organizations and tribes. His ethnicity may be uncertain, but he was one of the important contemporary literary voices dealing with matters of Native American culture and heritage. His writing was prolific, and his books -- on Native American painting, dance, and other subjects -- have filled voids left by other writers and have become landmarks in their fields. This title, Song From the Earth, an introduction to American Indian painting, and The Sweet Grass Lives On, a subsequent volume that introduced 50 contemporary American Indian artists, together helped launch the trend in collecting contemporary Indian art. A defining voice of our times, who helped bring many Native American issues into focus. Near fine in a near fine dust jacket with modest edge wear, particularly at the spine crown. [#016663] SOLD