I always loved Ken Burns’ production of Lewis & Clark. Narrated by Hal Holbrook, it tells a fascinating story. I highly recommend it — the music is beautiful, too. Give a listen at the link below.
But it is a bittersweet story. Lewis and Clark, along the way, were meeting various tribal leaders and telling them you have a new “Great Father” now, meaning Thomas Jefferson. These were people who had been there for centuries and suddenly a sale from one set of Europeans to another set of Europeans — and you have a new Great Father. Right.
My heart breaks each time I hear of what Old Rich White Men do when ever they are in seats of power.There's got to be a way to grant" First Americans" their given Rights ?!! Thank You, Steve, for sharing your experience this morning ☕ your travels with your son must have been Extraordinary, and will reStack ASAP 🙏💯👍
What White men have done to Native Americans is beyond comprehension! The betrayal, the shame, the suffering that White Americans have put Native Americans through as well as African Americans, is some mysterious belief that people with White skin are somehow superior.
Survival mode indeed. Surviving, not thriving. Regressing, not progressing. Yet I believe after this great darkness will come light. If America's and democracy's enemies don't prevail while we are divided. I am 71, with a 25 year old daughter and I hope to live long enough to see her with a brighter future.
Steve, Thank you for writing this. I know much about Chief Joseph and he I’d one of the greatest Americans who ever lived. It is a pity more people don’t know anything about him. I have shared this on my social media and will take a detour in my history classes to read the speech and give some background to it. All the best and thank you again.
Let the Protests Begin! I am hearing and reading snippets of announcements regarding "The Peoples March" Jan 18th, 2025 two days before inauguration, in DC and every state capital. Anyone having firm info on this please post on substack. I'm keeping that date open, for probably Raleigh, NC if they have it.
I keep thinking about my sign. So far it's either "No Kings in USA" or something on Equality for ALL. What do you think? Steve get your toboggan on, it is time to march.
Last time I marched was in 60's so I'll be the one slow walking while I chant.
For all the good the marches did last time Trump was inaugurated.
I think the main reason it’s important to march now is that it might be the last time citizens in the United States are allowed to march freely in the streets-to petition their government- without fear of being arrested or even shot by their government. Don’t try it on January 21st. What a sorry situation.
As we embark on a new era that is likely to feature the oppression of certain non-traditional groups, it is fitting for us to reflect on societies, past and present, who have suffered greatly at the hands of the "Great Father". Let us pledge to do better.
Trump will definitely seek to create chaos and intensify hatred and fear; Steve's observation that that is the strategy behind Trump's choice of crazies, incompetents, and inexperienced people to key government positions is all too accurate. Past fascists have used hard times to catapult themselves into positions of total control. Trump is playing the same game. As Steve suggests, even saying he will march in his first protest, we absolutely must continue to fight this political cancer if we want future generations to continue progress toward a better society and economy for our country and the world population.
It is just so sad. This country is so far gone that there is no way the vast majority will even try to remember, let alone come to grips with our history of Native American slaughter. I empathize with the chief. I feel exhausted by America, too.
It's a shame and a tragedy that we have become a nation with such very short memories to all things of importance from our history and our impending future
Thank you Steve, for raising the appalling history of the genocide perpetrated against the Native Nations of North America. It is a history we must look at, study hard and learn from because it is the study of how and how not to treat one another. It is due a thorough review at this time, and to even just symbolically right some terrible wrongs, would be an important action.
While much of what we learn about the decimation of native peoples fills us with shame, there are the rare moments when we learn about Americans who fought the good fight. They remind us that we can, and must be brave, tenacious and principled. They are our guides.
Nearly two hundred years ago, an extraordinary white man, Jeremiah Evarts, spent years fighting for the rights of Native Americans. Below is from a “Draft of a Protest” against the principles and policy of the Indian Bill of May 1830:
“It, (the Indian Bill of May 1830 re the removal of the Eastern Native Nations to west of the Mississippi River), relates to great questions of the law of nations and to the fundamental principles of right and wrong. It implicates the reputation of our country throughout the civilized world; And will bear witness against the rulers, and the people who sanction it, so long as the record of these transactions shall be preserved. It is to be regarded, therefore, as a great calamity; much greater than words can adequately express, and much greater than can now be fully imagined.”
"The earth is the mother of all people, and all people should have equal rights upon it."
This is a value our "exceptional nation" has never been able to accept. That failure explains why so many of us view mass deportation with complacency...until it affects the price of groceries. That is why so many accept the ridiculously unfair distribution of wealth in our country and world...until the billionaires Trump has empowered create even more inequality and pain for average Americans as they use the government to enrich themselves like the contemptuous elites they are.
I always loved Ken Burns’ production of Lewis & Clark. Narrated by Hal Holbrook, it tells a fascinating story. I highly recommend it — the music is beautiful, too. Give a listen at the link below.
But it is a bittersweet story. Lewis and Clark, along the way, were meeting various tribal leaders and telling them you have a new “Great Father” now, meaning Thomas Jefferson. These were people who had been there for centuries and suddenly a sale from one set of Europeans to another set of Europeans — and you have a new Great Father. Right.
https://youtu.be/IeqcKKviqZY?si=L8PF_kxXK33mQP4b
I believe the American indigenous peoples referred to the US presidents as Great White Father.
My heart breaks each time I hear of what Old Rich White Men do when ever they are in seats of power.There's got to be a way to grant" First Americans" their given Rights ?!! Thank You, Steve, for sharing your experience this morning ☕ your travels with your son must have been Extraordinary, and will reStack ASAP 🙏💯👍
What White men have done to Native Americans is beyond comprehension! The betrayal, the shame, the suffering that White Americans have put Native Americans through as well as African Americans, is some mysterious belief that people with White skin are somehow superior.
Thank you for your remembrance of Chief Joseph. Chief Joseph of the Nez Perce by Robert Penn Warren is an amazing character study and lyrical tome. https://cooperative-individualism.org/warren-robert-penn_chief-joseph-of-the-nez-perce-1982-summer.pdf
Survival mode indeed. Surviving, not thriving. Regressing, not progressing. Yet I believe after this great darkness will come light. If America's and democracy's enemies don't prevail while we are divided. I am 71, with a 25 year old daughter and I hope to live long enough to see her with a brighter future.
Steve, Thank you for writing this. I know much about Chief Joseph and he I’d one of the greatest Americans who ever lived. It is a pity more people don’t know anything about him. I have shared this on my social media and will take a detour in my history classes to read the speech and give some background to it. All the best and thank you again.
Steve Dundas
Let the Protests Begin! I am hearing and reading snippets of announcements regarding "The Peoples March" Jan 18th, 2025 two days before inauguration, in DC and every state capital. Anyone having firm info on this please post on substack. I'm keeping that date open, for probably Raleigh, NC if they have it.
I keep thinking about my sign. So far it's either "No Kings in USA" or something on Equality for ALL. What do you think? Steve get your toboggan on, it is time to march.
Last time I marched was in 60's so I'll be the one slow walking while I chant.
For all the good the marches did last time Trump was inaugurated.
I think the main reason it’s important to march now is that it might be the last time citizens in the United States are allowed to march freely in the streets-to petition their government- without fear of being arrested or even shot by their government. Don’t try it on January 21st. What a sorry situation.
I just feel we should stage a BiG protest for benefit of democracy. Elsewise it looks like we really don't care as a country.
It will be difficult to protest, but more difficult to live under Trump's "Christian" oligarchy.
That's why b4 the orange tvrd is inaugurated is a good protest time.
We should attend the people’s March in a state of mourning. Black attire, black vails for women, everyone walking very slowly..
As we embark on a new era that is likely to feature the oppression of certain non-traditional groups, it is fitting for us to reflect on societies, past and present, who have suffered greatly at the hands of the "Great Father". Let us pledge to do better.
Trump will definitely seek to create chaos and intensify hatred and fear; Steve's observation that that is the strategy behind Trump's choice of crazies, incompetents, and inexperienced people to key government positions is all too accurate. Past fascists have used hard times to catapult themselves into positions of total control. Trump is playing the same game. As Steve suggests, even saying he will march in his first protest, we absolutely must continue to fight this political cancer if we want future generations to continue progress toward a better society and economy for our country and the world population.
It is just so sad. This country is so far gone that there is no way the vast majority will even try to remember, let alone come to grips with our history of Native American slaughter. I empathize with the chief. I feel exhausted by America, too.
It's a shame and a tragedy that we have become a nation with such very short memories to all things of importance from our history and our impending future
Thank you Steve, for raising the appalling history of the genocide perpetrated against the Native Nations of North America. It is a history we must look at, study hard and learn from because it is the study of how and how not to treat one another. It is due a thorough review at this time, and to even just symbolically right some terrible wrongs, would be an important action.
While much of what we learn about the decimation of native peoples fills us with shame, there are the rare moments when we learn about Americans who fought the good fight. They remind us that we can, and must be brave, tenacious and principled. They are our guides.
Nearly two hundred years ago, an extraordinary white man, Jeremiah Evarts, spent years fighting for the rights of Native Americans. Below is from a “Draft of a Protest” against the principles and policy of the Indian Bill of May 1830:
“It, (the Indian Bill of May 1830 re the removal of the Eastern Native Nations to west of the Mississippi River), relates to great questions of the law of nations and to the fundamental principles of right and wrong. It implicates the reputation of our country throughout the civilized world; And will bear witness against the rulers, and the people who sanction it, so long as the record of these transactions shall be preserved. It is to be regarded, therefore, as a great calamity; much greater than words can adequately express, and much greater than can now be fully imagined.”
Sandra Tuttle, are you part of the Dover New Hampshire Tuttle family?
🤩🤩🤩🤩🤩
Pure Powerful Excellence, Steve! Thank you.
It strikes me that today’s Palestinians share much with Chief Joseph where American leadership is involved.
"The earth is the mother of all people, and all people should have equal rights upon it."
This is a value our "exceptional nation" has never been able to accept. That failure explains why so many of us view mass deportation with complacency...until it affects the price of groceries. That is why so many accept the ridiculously unfair distribution of wealth in our country and world...until the billionaires Trump has empowered create even more inequality and pain for average Americans as they use the government to enrich themselves like the contemptuous elites they are.