New Respect for Indian History

Features

• Pocahontas as a Traitor: For one child, the story of Pocahontas inspired pride — and anger

  Sherrole Benton

  The author recounts her introduction to Pocahontas and further study later. “As I read the many historical documents, dissertations, literary analyses and essays about Pocahontas and her life story, I began to understand the mythical qualities European authors attributed to her. I also began to see the comical misinterpretations European writers had of some Indian traditions, adoption ceremonies, and especially women’s ceremonies.”

• History in the First Person: Always valued in the Native world, oral history gains respect among Western scholars

  Marjane Ambler

  In recent years, some mainstream universities, colleges, and museums have followed the lead of tribal institutions and begun to acknowledge the value of oral information.

• Pocahontas

  Jennifer Gray Reddish

  As a girl, Pocahontas saved the life of Captain John Smith. Nearly four hundred years later, she continues to shape the nation’s image of American Indians

• We Must Learn to Listen

  Marjane Ambler

  A growing interest in preserving history raises many questions. How should oral histories be collected? How can oral histories be paid for? How does a reservation community create momentum for a project to serve future generations when it faces so many urgent tasks? If non-Indians want to include the Indian voice in their research, how do they gain trust?

• Living History: Reflections on the past

  The unique Indian voice in essays and a poem bring history back to life: Imagining Indians in Selma, Ravens, A Journey Inwards and Backwards, The Chief’s Journey into the Spiritland to Bring Back His Wife

• Putting Names to Faces: The Oglala Lakota College archives is a family photo album for the tribe

  Julie Lakota

  A narration of a collection of photographs from the Oglala Lakota College Archives.

Profile

• Sharing Power

  Paul Boyer

  Cheryl Crazy Bull is a good fit as vice president at Sinte Gleska University, known for its strong advocacy of social and cultural issues. Unafraid to take risks, she is also a lightning rod for criticism and deals with pressure from inside the reservation and outside agencies.

Talking Circle

• Battle or Massacre? It all depends on who writes the history

  Harold Sorkness

  History instructor Harold Sorkness advocates for a more inclusive approach to teaching history.