Juan Gregorio Palechor

"At the same time that [Juan Gregorio Palechor] problematizes the nature of indigenous organizing in the Americas by historicizing the dreams that have accumulated over the past four decades, it pointedly reminds us that indigenous politics is at once a fundamental concern of Native peoples and a process that is deeply rooted in the aspirations of their cocitizens who are not indigenous." - Joanne Rappaport, from the Foreword

"The activist Juan Gregorio Palechor's life story is a valuable addition to the history and anthropology of Colombia's indigenous movement. It is an inside account of how struggles initially based on local grievances, particularly illegal land grabs, became the core of a broader political and cultural ideology. Framing Palechor's narrative, Myriam Jimeno addresses some of the methodological and epistemological challenges facing anthropologists who collect such life histories, and she provides vital background to this remarkable man's journey."\ - Jean E. Jackson, coeditor of Indigenous Movements, Self-Representation, and the State in Latin America

"[A] thought-provoking book that attempts to address the concerns of the researcher and subject when creating a biographical narrative. A welcome addition to the field of anthropology and the study of indigenous movement in Colombia."  - A. E. Leykam, Choice

"Anthropologist Myriam Jimeno’s presentation of the life history of Colombian Indigenous activist Juan Gregorio Palechor is an excellent contribution to our understanding of how narratives are constructed and publicly expressed.... Palechor’s life story, together with Jimeno’s anthropological analysis, provides a valuable contribution to our understandings of Indigenous organizing efforts. The activist perspective will provide probing insights to scholars, and the fluid text will work well for classroom adoption."  - Marc Becker, Hispanic American Historical Review

"Palechor’s life is compelling. Jimeno addresses its historical contexts, the difficulty of maintaining an ethnic identity, the complexities of writing a life history, and the literature on diversity and ethnic pluralism."  - Herbert Braun, Journal of American History

“This well-written work not only provides an approachable view of indigenous intellectuals in the Andes and in the Americas but also shows the trajectory and nature of indigenous organizations. … [T]his book represents an excellent resource for those interested in Andean and American indigenous experiences. For this reason, it will be an excellent addition to graduate and undergraduate courses in Latin American and Native American studies.” - Waskar T. Ari-Chachaki, Journal of the Royal Anthropological Institute

"Palechor’s autobiography skillfully illustrates how social categories of race and class are lived in the Andes.... Jimeno’s accessible writing style combined with Palechor’s conversational narratives make this work well suited for undergraduate anthropology courses." - Teresa A. Velásquez, American Anthropologist