A compilation of 58 representative speeches from the American Indian Community, this book is divided into 2 parts; Part I deals with issues of contemporary concern and Part II illustrates speech types and styles. All speeches are classified by issue as follows: sovereignty (2 speeches, 1 on the rise and fall of Indian sovereignty); trust responsibilities (1 speech); tribal government (1 speech); land claims (1 speech); Bureau of Indian Affairs (1 speech); American Indian Movement (3 speeches, 1 asserting that real Indian leaders condemn AIM, and 1 addressing the question of commitment); education (11 speeches addressing such aspects of education as pluralism, financing public schools on the reservation, multicultural education, cultural differences, tribal chartered education, and Indian education resource centers); energy (1 speech); health (1 speech addressing the need for Indian health professionals); the aged (1 speech on elderly American Indians); Indian leadership (1 speech on the effectiveness of Indian leadership); self determination (1 speech on Indian self determination and education); assimilation (1 speech on assimilation vs self-identity); inaugural and commencement addresses (1 inaugural and 1 commencement speech); National Congress of American Indians (2 keynote addresses); testimonies (4 speeches re: public works and transportation and education); wisdom (1 speech on Navajo wisdom); nature (1 speech); oral tradition (2 speeches); history (3 speeches); women (2 speeches re: the special problems of Indian women); and inspirational speeches (6 speeches). (JC)