The Northern Plains include what is now North and South Dakota, Eastern Montana, northeastern Wyoming, and the Canadian provinces of Alberta and Saskatchewan. The tipi—a conical lodge—has become the stereotype for all Indian housing. On the Northern Plains, Indian people found the tipi to be a comfortable home, one which was easily moved, and one … Continued
Pennie Opal Plant, Hine Kohu Morgan (Māori elder, artist, poet, and activist) and Shannon Biggs of Movement Rights This is a personal diary of mine and NOT an endorsement by Daily Kos. Such satisfying news. I’ve been selected to be part of an Indigenous Delegation to travel to New Zealand. This is an exciting opportunity … Continued
The North Lincoln County Historical Museum in Lincoln City, Oregon has two floors of displays relating to local history. The region was originally the homeland for the Siletz Indians and the museum has a small display of American Indian beadwork and other artifacts. The Confederated Tribes of Siletz was formed by the tribes which had … Continued
When the United States divided Oregon Territory into Washington Territory and Oregon Territory in 1853, western Montana was included in Washington Territory. President Millard Fillmore appointed Isaac I. Stevens as the territorial governor of Washington. Stevens immediately began an aggressive plan to deprive the Indian nations within the territory of title to their lands. Western … Continued
The High Desert Museum in Bend, Oregon, has a gallery which takes visitors on a journey through some of the most dramatic periods in the High Desert. According to the Museum display: “Thousands of years ago, more than one hundred Native American tribes inhabited the High Desert. During the early 1800s, newcomers began arriving—starting with … Continued
In major museums, only a small fraction of the artifacts held by the museum are on display and interpreted for the public. Most of the museum’s artifacts are in vaults where they are available only to researchers. The Los Angeles County Museum of Natural History maintains a Visible Vault in which visitors can view hundreds … Continued
Throughout the world, different religious and spiritual traditions have used hallucinogenic drugs to enhance the mystical experience. These drugs can trigger the experience of flying or floating. In Southern California, many tribes traditionally used jimsonweed (a part of the nightshade family Datura, also known as toloache and datura) to help produce visions. Most frequently this … Continued
Briefly described below are a few of the American Indian events of 1917. Commissioner of Indian Affairs In the bureaucracy of American government, Indian affairs are administered by the Department of the Interior. The Commission of Indian Affairs, a political appointee, is directly responsible for administering the Indian Office (now called the Bureau of Indian … Continued
Since the beginning of the European invasion of the Americas more than five centuries ago, there has been an ongoing debate regarding the indigenous peoples of the continents. From a scientific perspective, data relating to this debate come from: (1) archaeological findings, including artifacts, features, and sites; (2) human remains; and (3) DNA. The basic … Continued
Four hundred years ago, in 1619, four European countries—France, England, Netherlands, and Spain–were establishing permanent colonies in the Americas. As these colonies expanded, the conflicts with the Native Americans over land increased in frequency and intensity. Archaeologist Jerald Milanich, in his book Laboring in the Fields of the Lord: Spanish Missions and Southeastern Indians, describes … Continued
