THIS DATE IN AMERICAN INDIAN HISTORY

In 1619, the colony of Virginia signed a treaty of alliance with the Powhatan Confederacy.

THIS DATE IN AMERICAN INDIAN HISTORY

 In 864, the Mayan dedicated the Great Ball Court at Chichen Itza.

Chichen Itza: pre-Colombian city built
by the Mayans.

Indigenous Learning

 S'gi to Ms. Miranda Stamper of Cherokee Middle School for a fantastic presentation yesterday here at App! As part of our celebration of Native American Heritage Month, Ms. Stamper spoke to us about Indigenous ways of teaching and learning. It was a wonderful way for us to conclude our celebrations of the month! #gadugi #GoBraves #NativeAmericanHeritageMonth

Ms. Miranda Stamper speaks to ASU students 
and faculty on Wednesday

Who We Are

 Last week, we had the opportunity to educate campus through the “We Are Here” panel discussion series. The event went well, but there was part of it that I found discouraging and a little depressing. It seemed that so much of what we talked about was telling the people there what we are not as a community and people instead of positively asserting who and what we are. It reminded me of a quote from Cherokee Principal Chief John Ross. “Convince the world by your character,” he said, “that Indians are not as they have been shown.” That’s an unfair burden and expectation, but it is a reality for Native people. After 50 years of Hollywood stereotypes and erasure from the history books Native people—Native youth especially—confront so many ignorant tropes that we always begin with a deficit model in our conversations. Last Wednesday, we told those gathered that we are not all dark skinned. We are not all enrolled. We do not all come from cultures that use dreamcatchers. We do not all get to attend college for free. We are not all diversity admissions. And on and on.

 

But if we had the opportunity to tell campus who we are, what would you say? For me, I would let the world know that we are a community not merely of survivors, but of thrivers. We are a people with an extraordinary reserve of resilience, and a relentless people who for five centuries have resisted colonialism and attempted physical, cultural, and spiritual genocide. We are a community that cares for one another. We have a culture with much to teach the rest of the world about matrilineal cultures, consensus government, and being caretakers of the planet. That’s only a tiny piece of who we are, and we need to let campus—and the world—know. 

 

Take some time this week to consider how we may reframe this conversation from, as John Ross said, proving to the world what we are not, and instead proudly showing who we are. Who. We. Are. Together we can move the conversation in that direction. Our people and the world will be better for it. S’gi.

THIS DATE IN AMERICAN HISTORY

 In 1969, American Indian Movement activists first occupy Alcatraz Island.

Happy Veterans Day!

Did you know that American Indians serve in the United States military at 5 times the national average? Or that, since 9/11, nearly 19 percent of American Indians have served? Happy Veterans Day from the Gadugi Partnership and s'gi to you all for your service to this nation!!

Eastern Band of Cherokee Indians Medal of Honor recipient
Charles George statue in Veterans Park on the Qualla Boundary

THIS DATE IN AMERICAN INDIAN HISTORY

In 1871, the 2,854 square mile San Carlos Apache Indian Reservation is established. The reservation became the home of Apache, Mohave, and Yuma Indians.  

 I am SO excited about these events next week! It's International Education Week, and Gadugi has partnered with App State's Office of International Education and Development for two great programs! At 4 in the Student Union Ms. Miranda Stamper will be speaking about her work during the pandemic lockdown to emphasize traditional education and make sure that, even though schools were closed, education continued! Then at 6 in Greenbrier we will be showing the film "Another Word for Learning," which emphasizes decolonizing education. Please join us if you can!

THIS DATE IN NATIVE AMERICAN HISTORY

In 1811, the Battle of Tippecanoe is fought. Shawnee leader Tenskwatawa (The Prophet) and his followers took on General William Henry Harrison and his 1,000 soldiers near Prophetstown. The battle was a victory for the Americans who destroyed the town. The loss was the beginning of the end for the confederacy that Tenskwatawa and his brother, Tecumseh, had sought to establish. 

Tenskwatawa 
1775-1836

THIS DATE IN NATIVE AMERICAN HISTORY

 In 1868, Red Cloud and his warriors signed the Treaty of Fort Laramie, ending what came to be called "Red Cloud's War." After several years of conflict and embarrassing defeats at the hands of the Indians, the US government sued for peace. 

Red Cloud
1822-1909

THIS DATE IN NATIVE AMERICAN HISTORY

 In 1862, 303 Santee Sioux were sentenced to death by a military commission after a 37 day resistance to US treatment of the Sioux and the breaking of a treaty between the two nations. President Abraham Lincoln personally reviewed the convictions of all 303 and, finding many of the convictions corrupt, tossed out the majority. In the end, 38 Sioux were hanged the day after Christmas, 1862. These are now remembered as the Dakota 38. 

Abraham Lincoln & the 
Dakota 38

THIS DATE IN NATIVE AMERICAN HISTORY

 In 1879, the great Cherokee humorist Will Rogers was born in Indian Territory (present-day Oklahoma).

Will Rogers, Cherokee
1879-1935

THIS DATE IN NATIVE AMERICAN HISTORY

 In 1892 former Cherokee Tribal Senator Ned Christie is murdered by a posse outside his home in Indian Territory. Christie had been on the run for over five years after being falsely accused of killing a US Marshal in 1887. #nativeamericanhistory

Ned Christie

New Youtube Channel

 Shiyo! The Gadugi Partnership's youtube page has a new name that's easier to remember and to find!! Find, subscribe, and follow us at YouTube.com/@appstategadugi!!