My children and I are ignorant, not by choice, to much of our history. What we learned in school is not true yet my educators had the nerve to call it teaching. My son is half Siminole, because his father is full blooded native american. I, however, am a mixture of Dutch-Irish and Cherokee. I want him to get to know part of his background. I found out as much as I could but there are holes and I managed to get him to Key West but how do you tell the truth for the sugar-coated junk? This is my next option. Since I just found out part of “Thanksgiving”, I would like to know more so that I do not lie to my children and rob an entire civilization of generally good people of the respect that is deserved.
There are several books you should read but I’ll recommend one to begin with and that is .
I’ll ask others to leave their recommendations here for you also.
You can also read anything by this writer, . All his essays are at that link.
And here are two good ones on Thanksgiving.
Please check back at our site, we post new content often.
You can also scroll back thru all our diaries on the front page and read all you want.
Please reply here if you don’t understand anything I’ve written.
Some diaries about the Seminole:
…
…
…
Diaries about the Cherokee:
…
…
I’ve got a series of diaries coming up over the next couple of weeks about the Indian histories and cultures of Florida.
children their history and culture as accurately as possible is a great gift to them and to yourself.
The suggestinos and links navajo and Ojibwa have provided are a great start in that direction.
Ojibwa’s diaries have taught me so much and continue to on a daily basis.
Welcome, what a beautiful choice of screen name. And you are not as ignorant of history as most, since you know that what is taught in school is not Truth, but a version of a truth that serves an agenda. Getting that far is an awesome first step.
That you are concerned about knowing for your children tells me what a good person you are. And you have certainly come to the right place to learn the truths that will make you and your children proud of your ancestry. As the other commenters before me have made abundantly clear, Ojibwa is as good a source as you’ll find anywhere on an incredibly wide range of knowledge about Native America before the European invasion and the events that got us from there to here.
I see he has already given you a list about the Seminole. Every one of his diaries is packed full of information; like a rich meal they take some time to digest. For variety you can read his many other postings, not only is he a fount of wisdom but he varies his topics to keep his subjects fresh and interesting.
Before you are done with Objibwa you will no longer think of yourself as ignorant.
My only word of personal advice is be careful of the anger you, and your children, will inevitably feel. Channel it constructively. Be wise, new friend.
“Indian Givers” by Jack Weatherford, despite it’s questionable title it’s about the contributions of our people to the world and it gives people a good beginning background. Then move on to “1491” which tells the truth about our world before Columbus, it scientificly debunks many myths about our world.
But probably the best place to begin is here… this review is long but it expresses what the book is about.