For centuries American Indians have been an object of Western fascination. All too often this fascination has been an invented view of Indian people. This is especially evident with the recent movement of Indian people to urban areas within the United States and Canada. Not only has this movement been ignored by society in general, but it has also received almost no comment in the geographical literature. The complex character of urban Indian communities is sketched and a variety of interpretations are outlined. Finally, the implications for planning and public policy are examined, i.e, the recent emergence of Indian organizations which provide an innovative alternative -- cultural planning for urban redevelopment. (Author/AH)