SteveR Loc: Michigan

Outstanding photographic insights into Native American life from not so long ago.

http://www.littlethings.com/edward-curtis-native-americans/?utm_medium=Facebook

jerryc41 Loc: Catskill Mts of NY

Beautiful!

markngolf Loc: Bridgewater, NJ

Thanks Steve. Wonderful photography. Seeing this reminds me of how ashamed I am of how we slaughtered and treated beautifully rich Indian cultures. Did the same with black culture. "America the Beautiful" - not always and not for all.
Mark
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dcampbell52 Loc: Clearwater Fl

Very nice. If you want to see some really good Native American artifacts, go to the http://nationalcowboymuseum.org/ in Oklahoma City. They have a huge collection of artifacts from the frontier days. Also check out the museums that are owned and run by the major tribes in Oklahoma. The Cherokee, Chickasaw and others all have their "world" headquarters there. Also Medicine Park and Ft. Sill in Lawton. Ft. Sill is where many of the tribes and tribal chiefs (The most famous person buried at Fort Sill is the Apache warrior known as Geronimo. Geronimo is buried in the Apache Cemetery on East Range. Because his grave is off the beaten path, the route is marked with signs. Others buried at Fort Sill include Kiowa Chief Satanta, and Comanche Chief Quanah Parker. By the way, the name "Oklahoma" translates to "Okla and Humma" which translates as "red people." or land of the "red people. I grew up in Oklahoma and am half Chickasaw. Yes my dad (passed away in 2005) and I are on the Chickasaw tribal rolls and I have my CDIB card. Oklahoma (and probably Texas too) are among the few states the co-exist and celebrate their citizens with American Indian heritage. It is a state that is rich with information and American Indian history. And many of us have heard, first hand, the stories of the "Trail of Tears" march from the eastern states that were instigated during Andrew Jackson's presidency. I now live in the Clearwater area of Florida. It's ironic that I moved back to an area that the tribe of my ancestors was removed from. Technically, the US purchased the land from us for several million dollars but purchasing and getting the money from the government are two different things. The government now owes the Chickasaw tribe several million dollars in interest on the money that they "forgot" to pay. Ironically, the land that was "given" to the American Indians in Oklahoma covered areas that were then opened for the Land Runs. The American Indians were moved to other land (mostly rocky hills and areas unsuitable for cultivation etc.) This land suddenly (in the late 1800's and early 1900's became extremely valuable because it had OIL under it. The American Indian tribes were intelligent enough to NOT give away (or sell) the mineral rights. The oil income from these leases is sent to the tribal headquarters for the tribes in question, and they distribute it to their members.

phlash46 Loc: Westchester County, New York

Wow! A shame we killed and stole from them...

dcampbell52 Loc: Clearwater Fl

True, but in a way, it kind of worked out. Had the US Government not tried to be cute and steal land, etc. from the American Indians, the Indians would not have gotten the oil and mineral rights to so many of the oil rich areas of Oklahoma. It was a system that, at the time, looked like the tribes got the bad end of the stick. In actuality, there was roughly twice (or more) oil in the lands that they were given than was under their original lands. It just took a while to figure it out. I have 3 acres of land in an area near Lake Eufaula, Oklahoma. The land is so rocky that the utility companies use 1/4 stick of dynamite to blast holes for the utility poles. Drilling ruins their auger bits. Many of the roads are so rough that they have to be bulldozed rather than graded due to the rocks. But, there is oil under those lands. I also have 2 acres of water front property that is basically gravel and dirt (easily graded) but there are virtually no oil or minerals under it.

phlash46 Loc: Westchester County, New York

An exception; certainly not the rule.

dcampbell52 Loc: Clearwater Fl

I don't know, Dad went to Indain schools then to the University of Oklahoma. My Grandfather, and 2 uncles retired as professors and department heads at OU. One Lloyd Swearingen was the Head of the science and engineering departments and Vice President of OU.. He has a research park at OU named after him and I still have my (his) University of Oklahoma Season tickets to all of the sports. Athletic Tickets can be passed along through Wills and Uncle Lloyd left his to me. I have yet to miss a home game since 1989 when I got back from the military. Actually, the American Indians in Oklahoma have it pretty good. The Cherokee, Kiowa, Chickasaw, Arapaho, Comanche and other tribes have parlayed their moneys into large sums for the tribal members. Sure, there are some Indians (just like any other group of humans) that are drug addicts, alcoholics, snort gold paint fumes, and other things. There are those that blow through their money or have been tricked into bad investments, bad marriages, etc. that have left them broke. But that's the way it is for everyone. Some are discriminated against because they are Indian, but I would guess that the Indians in Oklahoma (and possibly to a lesser degree Texas and other southwestern states) have it about the same as most others. Blacks, Chinese, Vietnamese, and others are probably treated worse in Oklahoma. This may be because many of the long time Oklahomans probably have (at least) some Indian blood in their heritage. Probably many in the United States do, but in Oklahoma it's worn like a badge of honor. One of the major Pow Wow's (Red Earth Festival) is held every year in Downtown Oklahoma City. And it is a huge gathering of both Indians and non-Indians.

phlash46 Loc: Westchester County, New York

My apologies! I meant Oklahoma was the exception. It's not nearly that good elsewhere from what I've seen.

Apaflo Loc: Anchorage, Alaska

Discrimination against Native people in Alaska historically has been, and continues to be, colousal.

An example that is ongoing nationally is health care. Universally Native people gave up land in trade for health care (via the Indian Health Service). For the last 3 decades IHS has been funded at 60 percent of need. That is genocide hidden by systemic racism.

richosob Loc: Lambertville, MI

Great photos, thanks for sharing

Rich

Nikocarol Loc: NM & FL

Wonderful photos I totally enjoyed...thanks for sharing!

joehel2 Loc: Cherry Hill, NJ

Great photos, thanks for sharing the link.

Sirsnapalot Loc: Hammond, Louisiana

What do you mean WE? I don't feel guilty for history that I can't change! Bad things have happened to good people since the beginning of time, be damn if I'm going to loose a minutes sleep over it. If you feel guilty over what happened, there are lots of Indian charities that you can support instead of blaming others for your misguided feelings. You can work for change in things you disagree with for the future but it's impossible to alter history, no matter how hard you try! Don't mean to be rude but your post struck a nerve!

Apaflo Loc: Anchorage, Alaska

What about the history WE are making today! The bad things didn't stop 100 years ago. WE still have their land and don't pay the rent. Nor do we give the land back either.

WE are guilty.