SUNY First Peoples Summer 2 2017

1.      What source did you review and who created it?  What perspective do you think it is meant to convey? I chose the online resources related to In Light of Reverence as the content resonated with me.  The idea that today we mostly do not understand the importance of a sacred place.  Even our own cemeteries are not treated with the respect they deserve.  I believe that these videos are meant to convey the importance of sacred places and the connection of the indigenous peoples to the land and nature.  In the short film there is an indigenous woman who states, “[i]f we built a building around it and said this is our building and inside this building was our sacred spring and this is how you behave in it, then maybe they would [understand] because they could see the boundaries of what is ours”.  Insightful as the non-indigenous people do not understand the boundaries of the sacred places in nature for the people and only see it as...

   The political and social hierarchy of the Native Peoples of the Pacific Northwest really surprised me to learn that their social hierarchy was extremely similar to that of European and early societies of the United States.  Early American societies were based on ranking or social classes from the richest to the poorest.  Wealth defined the person and the perceived power associated to the person’s wealth.  The perceived power and wealth enabled certain rights and privileges to the person.  American society’s hierarchy was based on wealth and power.                 So too were the Native Peoples of the Pacific Northwest tribes.  Most tribes were highly layered in a social and hierarchy standing based on wealth leading to power.  Among the tribes of the Northwest, there were Nobles, Commoners, and even slaves (1); sounds a lot like early America.  The separation of cla...

The online resource that I decided to examine or preview was once entitled: “American Indian Biographies A-Z “that led me eventually to a page entitled: “New Perspectives on the West“ where there were various brief biographies of Native Americans some of which  we have read about in Peter Nabokov’s book entitled: “Native American Testimony Revised Edition” such as in the case of  Black Hawk. However the Biographies Gave a little more detail about these various Native American people  the list also included also some whites, and even some famous whites such as Samuel Clemmons aka Mark Twain. In some of the biographies it documented whites like John Brown which seemed to be in support, or on the side of Native Americans by helping the Native American people of the time against the overpowering whites in their attempt at inhalation of Native Americans by treating Native Americas with kindness, and respect as well as helping Native Americans during a time when most whites wo...

The American Philosophical Society contains thousands of pictures of Indigenous people from as early at the 1600’s. Established by Benjamin Franklin in 1743, this society has a premier collection of the first people of our land. One portion of this website is dedicated to the Native American Images Project. This includes various depictions of indigenous people and the stereotype in the time periods.  Within the gallery you can find depictions that “exaggerate” ideas about Native Americans.  Fascinating is that science was also used to stereotype the notion that the white man was a superior “race” by measuring, recording, and comparing actual features of Native Americans. More disturbing is the thought that American eugenics movement abused evolutionary theory. Morphing the ideology, the argument backed by the American eugenics was minorities,including Native Americans had “inferior” genes, thus backing stereotypes with genetic basis. Further misusing evolutionary theory...

First Blog Ever Wilma Mankiller Wilma Mankiller, born November 18, 1945 was an activist for the Native Amirian people and Women’s rights.  Elected as the very first female leader of a major Native American tribe.  Chief Mankiller won her candidacy with the respect of the Cherokee Nation although there were several who opposed due to her being a female.  Unfortunately, during her campaign, Wilma Mankiller had suffered death threats along with her tires slashed by those who were not well-wishers.  Her mission was to bring self-sufficiency to her people of the Cherokee Nation.  She held the title as the Principal Chief of the Cherokee Nation in Oklahoma which consisted of over 140,000 members.  Her unique last name “Mankiller”, came from an old military title that was given to the person in charge of protecting the village.  Chief ManKiller lived on the land that was allotted to her grandfather, John Mankiller.  Mr. Mankiller obtained t...

  The meaning of a powwow is derived from the term meaning " Spiritual Leader ".  Today's events are mainly secular not ceremonial.  The Powwow is a cultural gathering of Native and Non-Native Peoples displaying the traditions of song, dance and dress from all tribal communities and parts of the land.  The gatherings are intended to provide a community adhesion offering a safe, sober environment for people of all ages and sexes (1).  These events are a means for tribal participants to honor and display their people's culture through songs, dance and cultural attire/dress.     These gatherings are mainly a dance event that can range from one to three days and located throughout North America.  Tribal Governments have provided financial resources through meals, payments to dancers and singers and even Prize Money for the various categories of dance and song to encourage participation (1).      Towards the end of the Powwow, t...