What is Alcatraz Prison? The Alcatraz prison sits on an island off of San Francisco Bay, abandoned by the government in 1963 because it was too expensive to maintain – all supplies had to be delivered by boat, including fresh water and fuel. Additionally, the salt water caused rapid deterioration of buildings. It was only…
Native American Residential Schools in the United States Carlisle Indian Industrial School in Carlisle, Pennsylvania was the first Native American Residential School in the United States. The school was founded by U.S. Army Lieutenant Colonel Richard Henry Pratt, a self-proclaimed Christian who wanted to “save” Native American children through cultural genocide. Across the United States and parts of Canada, over…
Who Was Ely S. Parker? Born with the name Hasanoanda, meaning “Leading Man,” Ely Samuel Parker was a member of the Wolf Clan in the Seneca Nation, part of Six Nations of the Iroquois. He was raised in the traditions of his Native Nation, and he attended the Baptist “mission” school to learn English. Education…
My mother didn’t learn about the Trail of Tears until she was in college, because it was left out of her Midwestern history textbooks in the 1960s. What Was the Trail of Tears? In 1828, someone discovered gold in Cherokee territory. On May 28, 1830, President Andrew Jackson signed The Indian Removal Act. This act basically…
Who Was Wilma Mankiller, the First Female Principal Chief of Cherokee Nation? Wilma Mankiller was the first woman to serve as Principal Chief of Cherokee Nation, leading from 1985 to 1995. She stepped into the role when the sitting chief left office, then won her own election with eighty percent of the vote in a…
What Happened During the California Genocide? In 1851, California governor Peter Hardeman Burnett gave his “State of the State” address. Among his goals for the year, he said “that a war of extermination will continue to be waged between the races until the Indian race becomes extinct must be expected.” (emphasis added in case it…
What Does MMIWG Stand For? MMIWG stands for Missing and Murdered Indigenous Women and Girls. The sheer volume of missing and murdered indigenous women and girls is a travesty of incredible proportions, effecting both the United States and Canada. A study done by the Urban Indian Health Institute (UIHU) in 2016 showed that 5,712 cases…