During the nineteenth century there were many conflicts between Indian nations and the Americans (settlers, militia, miners, military) which are called “wars” by historians and others even though most were not formal wars from a military perspective. In general, the United States laid the foundation for these “wars” or conflicts in a number of ways, … Continued
Today, the Columbia River marks the boundary between Oregon and Washington. The river was named for the ship Columbia Rediviva whose captain, John Gray, sailed into the area in 1792. Gray was the first of many Euroamerican fur traders who would invade the area over the next half century. American Indians had lived along the … Continued
Sealth was born about 1786. His father, Schweabe, was Suquamish and his mother, Scholitza, was Duwamish. As a young boy in 1792, he witnessed the arrival of the first Europeans: British Captain George Vancouver entered Puget Sound and traded with the Suquamish. Among the Salish-speaking tribes of the Northwest Coast, children often seek spiritual helpers … Continued
The Northwest Coast culture is located geographically along the Pacific Coast north of California and between the Cascade Mountains and the ocean. This area is the home to many Indian nations who traditionally based their economy on the use of sea coast and river ecological resources. The Haida are located in the northern portion of … Continued
Among the tribes of the western portion of the Northeastern Woodlands, tobacco was an important ceremonial and trade plant. Tobacco smoking is a symbolic way of enhancing the communication between individuals, between groups, and between the people and the supernatural. Tobacco smoke rose from the pipe for the use and comfort of the spirits. All … Continued
Nez Perce captives in 1877. On June 16, 1873, President Ulysses S. Grant issued an executive order barring white settlers from claiming title to northeast Oregon’s Wallowa Valley. This was the traditional turf of one band of the Nez Perce (Nimi’ipuu) tribe. The executive order was needed because Nez Perce bands who didn’t live in … Continued
Michelle Lujan Grisham (D. NM) Some good news today out of New Mexico: A new poll is shedding some insight into high-stakes races in New Mexico. The Carroll Poll, by Carroll Strategies in Albuquerque, shows Michelle Lujan Grisham leading Republican Steve Pearce. According to the poll, Lujan Grisham has 50.5 percent support, while Pearce has … Continued
At one time, Teotihuacán, was not only the largest city in Mexico, but also one of the largest cities in the world. Construction of this city, which is located to the northeast of present-day Mexico City, was started about 2,200 years ago. By 1,500 years ago Teotihuacán had a population of about 250,000 people, making … Continued
The Cahuilla homeland in California was bounded on the north by the San Bernardino Mountains; on the south by the northern Borrego Desert; on the east by the Colorado Desert; on the west by the present-day city of Riverside. The term Cahuilla is said to mean “masters” or “powerful ones.” As a tribal designation, Cahuilla … Continued
Rep. Kevin Cramer (R. ND) If you may or may not have heard, this asshole said this last week: Rep. Kevin Cramer (R-N.D.) blasted professor Christine Blasey Ford’s accusation of sexual assault against Supreme Court nominee Brett Kavanaugh as “absurd” because they were merely drunken teenagers at the time. Besides, Cramer added, it was “supposedly … Continued
