The best known and most dramatic of North American Indian ceremonies, the Sun Dance ceremony and religion is an important part of both Native American and American history. Performed by the Plains Indians, including the Sioux, Dakota, Cheyenne, and others, the dance involves fixed gazing at the sun while dancing, blowing of eagle bone whistles, fasting, and sometimes, self-torture. Although outlawed by the U.S. government in 1904, it is still practiced by some Plains Indians today. This bibliography provides the first comprehensive, organized listing of sources on the Sun Dance.

An invaluable tool for researchers of the Sun Dance, the book includes English-language books, book chapters, journal articles, dissertations and theses, and government reports. Arranged by tribe, the entries include detailed annotations, enabling researchers and librarians to locate and evaluate materials of all kinds.