What Side Are You On?: A Tohono Oodham Life across Borders

Renowned human rights activist Michael "Mike" Wilson has borne witness to the profound human costs of poverty, racism, border policing, and the legacies of colonialism. From a childhood in the mining town of Ajo, Arizona, Wilsons life journey led him to US military service in Central America, seminary education, and religious and human rights activism against the abuses of US immigration policies. With increased militarization of the US-Mexico border, migration across the Tohono Oodham Nation surged, as did migrant deaths and violent encounters between tribal citizens and US Border Patrol agents. When Wilsons religious and ethical commitments led him to set up water stations for migrants on the Nations lands, it brought him into conflict not only with the US government but also with his own tribal and religious communities.

This richly textured and collaboratively written memoir brings Wilsons experiences to life. Joining Wilson as coauthor, José Antonio Lucero adds political and historical context to Wilsons personal narrative. Together they offer a highly original portrait of an Oodham life across borders that sheds light on the struggles and resilience of Native peoples across the Americas.