Explores the influence of America's indigenous peoples on energy policy and development, documenting how certain federally supported and often environmentally damaging energy projects were seen as threats by native American and sparked a pan-tribal resistance movement leading to increased autonomy.

Introduction -- Part one : Constructing Bad Deals -- Prologue -- 1. The tribal leasing regime -- 2. Postwar energy demands and the southwestern experience -- 3. "The best situation in their history" ; Part two : Local Resistance : 4. "The most important tribe in America" -- 5. Determining the self ; Part three : The National Campaign : 6. Taking the fight national -- 7. Recognizing tribal sovereignty -- Epilogue : New Era, Similar Results -- Notes -- Index.