Historians predicted the demise of the Penobscot Indians early in the 19th century, but the tribe is thriving at the opening of the 21st century. By selectively adapting to the dominant culture, the tribe has won back land and visibility. A decade of political activism culminated in the precedent-setting 1980 Maine Indian Land Claims settlement. Today the Penobscots run small industries, manage their natural resources, and provide health services, K-8 education, and social services to the poor and elderly of their community. MacDougall demonstrates that Penobscot legend, linguistics, dance and oral tradition become "foundations of resistance" against assimilation into the dominant culture.