Sovereign Wisdom: Generating Native American Philosophy from Indigenous Cultures

This book proposes a methodology for formulating a sovereign field of Academic Native American Philosophy. In this groundbreaking metaphilosophical work, the author identifies several recurrent themes in Indigenous North American cultures and argues that such themes can form the foundation of a unique field of philosophy.

JENNIFER LISA VEST, Ph.D. (Mikasuki Seminole mixedblood) is a retired Associate Professor of Philosophy. She earned her bachelor’s degree in Physics from Hampshire College, her Masters in History from Howard University, and her PhD in Ethnic Studies and Philosophy at University of California, Berkeley. She introduced Native American philosophy into the philosophy curriculum at two universities and has devoted decades to fighting for the inclusion of Native American and African philosophy in the canon. She has published articles and poetry in numerous journals and served on the Committee for the Status of American Indians in Philosophy for the American Philosphical Association for many years. She was also the Treasurer for the International Association for African Philosophy and Studies. She was an Assistant Professor of Philosophy at Seattle University and earned tenure in the Philosophy Department at the University of Central Florida before leaving Academia.