Being Again of One Mind combines the narratives of Oneida women of various generations with a critical reading of feminist literature on nationalism to reveal that some Indigenous women view nationalism in the form of decolonization as a way to restore traditional gender balance and well-being to their own lives and communities.

By giving a voice to Oneida women’s thoughts on tradition and nation, this book challenges mainstream feminist ideas about the masculine bias of Western theories of nation and about the dangers of nationalist movements that idealize women’s so-called traditional role. Lina Sunseri shows that feminist insights, although useful to many women’s and feminist groups, cannot be applied universally to all women or to societies with traditional forms of nation based on good relations between men and women. Oneida women do not view nationalism as a threat but rather as a way for women and men to be again of one mind.

Lina Sunseri's profile page

Lina Sunseri, whose Longhouse name is Yeliwi:saks (Gathering Stories/Knowledge), from the Oneida Nation of the Thames, Turtle Clan, is an assistant professor of sociology at Brescia University College, an affiliate of the University of Western Ontario. She is also co-editor of Colonialism and Racism in Canada: Historical Traces and Contemporary Issues and Racism, Colonialism, and Indigeneity in Canada.

Sunseri’s multi-layered critique of the Eurocentric secondary literature on nationalism is skillful, respectful and highly readable … a thoughtful study of Oneida nationalism from the perspective of Oneida women, Being Again of One Mind is relevant to a broad audience and will be of special value to those interested in nationalism, decolonization, Indigenous research methodologies, women and gender and Indigenous people.

Journal of Colonialism and Colonial History, 13, 2 Fall 2012

Being Again of One Mind...delivers a viable and inspiring alterNative view on indigenous history, as well as gender and postcolonial studies. It is a welcome addition to anyone interested in understanding the complicated course of European and North American encounters from a First Nation/Oneida perspective.

Left History Journal, Issue 16.2