Why Not Protect (Native) American History at Home Too?
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So last week’s episode was clearly a response to tons of queries that Katie and I have gotten about why we started ArchaeoVenturers. This week, we shift the focus of the rest of the season to more substantive topics.
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What we wanted to come from this episode was a realization that while we have so many artifacts and clues from ancient history in this country (USA), there doesn’t seem to be a common collective to rally behind protecting these links to Native American and Prehistoric culture. We’re so worried about sites being destroyed abroad, by terrorist groups like ISIS (and rightfully so), but there still needs to be a push here at home by the general public, to have an investment in this irreplaceable culture being destroyed by ignorance and greed. Plenty of organizations, both government (National Park Service, Army Corps of Engineers, etc) and non-profit (Native American Heritage Association), and legislation, (Native American Graves Protection and Repatriation Act (NAGPRA), American Indian Religious Freedom Act (AIRFA)), are deeply dedicated to these issues. Yet, why are we constantly reading about (what should be considered criminal) acts of ignorance and stupidity against culture? Various examples include:
- Forest Service seeking information on archaeological site vandalism
- Vandals deface prehistoric ‘Pregnant Buffalo’ rock art
- Native American burial ground, village site destroyed for luxury California homes
- Wal-Mart’s history of destroying sacred sites
- Sacred Native American ruin vandalized
- Seattle’s Famous Native American Murals Vandalized; Artist Leads Cleanup
Also, why is one of the oddest threats to American cultural sites from drug addicts?!
- Keystone XL would destroy our native lands. This is why we fight
- Native Americans and Supporters Fight Keystone XL Pipeline With Spirit Camp
- Keystone XL pipeline means “death” for Native Americans
- Native American willing to ‘spill my blood’ to stop Keystone XL
FYI if you’re interested in reading the original Manhattan purchase document, and the modern conversion; see below:
“This letter from Peter Schaghen, written in 1626, makes the earliest known reference to the company’s purchase of Manhattan Island from the Lenape Indians for 60 guilders. Schaghen was the liaison between the Dutch government and the Dutch West India Company.”
[ ] 5
Rcvd. 7 November 1626
High and Mighty Lords,
Yesterday the ship the Arms of Amsterdam arrived here. It sailed from New Netherland out of the River Mauritius on the 23d of September. They report that our people are in good spirit and live in peace. The women also have borne some children there. They have purchased the Island Manhattes from the Indians for the value of 60 guilders. It is 11,000 morgens in size [about 22,000 acres]. They had all their grain sowed by the middle of May, and reaped by the middle of August They sent samples of these summer grains: wheat, rye, barley, oats, buckwheat, canary seed, beans and flax. The cargo of the aforesaid ship is:
7246 Beaver skins
178½ Otter skins
675 Otter skins
48 Mink skins
36 Lynx skins
33 Minks
34 Muskrat skins
Many oak timbers and nut wood. Herewith, High and Mighty Lords, be commended to the mercy of the Almighty,
In Amsterdam, the 5th of November anno 1626.
Your High and Mightinesses’ obedient, P. Schaghen
Further Reading:
27 Native American Heritage Sites (PHOTOS)