What the sale of Manhattan doesn't tell us about Native Americans | T.M. Rives | TEDxGowanus

TEDx Talks

21 Feb 201409:42

Summary

TLDRThis script delves into the obscured history of New York City's indigenous roots, challenging the conventional narrative of Manhattan's purchase. It scrutinizes the city's symbols, like the misunderstood 'sinister' figure on the city seal, and the misrepresentation of Native Americans, exemplified by the erroneous use of a Plains Indian war bonnet. The speaker also addresses the misconception of the Dutch buying Manhattan for mere trinkets, clarifying the Lenape's use of wampum as a form of 'quasi money.' The talk advocates for a deeper understanding of the Lenape's sophisticated culture and their harmonious relationship with nature, urging a reevaluation of the city's historical narratives.

Takeaways

🗽 New York City has few places named after the original inhabitants, with 'Gowanus' being one of the few remnants of Native American heritage.
🏞️ The meaning behind the name 'Gowanus' is unclear, reflecting the broader uncertainty surrounding the history and culture of the Native Americans who lived in the area for thousands of years before European arrival.
🤝 A common myth is that the Dutch purchased Manhattan from Native Americans for a few trinkets, but the concept of money and the nature of the transaction were very different for the Lenape people.
🎭 The official seal of New York City features a sailor and a Native American, but the supposed names 'Dexter' and 'Sinister' are actually Latin terms for 'right' and 'left', not actual names.
📜 Historical records often misrepresent or oversimplify the interactions between Native Americans and European settlers, such as the Dutch.
🧵 Wampum, often referred to as beads in historical accounts, was a form of 'quasi money' used by the Lenape for trade but had a different cultural significance than modern currency.
🌿 The Lenape were skilled in managing their environment, using resources sustainably and had a deep spiritual connection to nature, which contrasted with European perspectives.
🎨 Misrepresentations of Native American culture persist in art and monuments, such as the inaccurate depiction of a Native American in a war bonnet on the U.S. penny.
🏛️ The term 'lowbrow', which implies a lack of sophistication, has its roots in the false belief that the physical characteristics of Native Americans, such as a less prominent forehead, indicated a lower level of intelligence.
🌌 The Lenape had a rich and complex culture with beliefs and stories that are worth exploring and understanding, rather than perpetuating simplified or incorrect narratives.

Q & A

What is the significance of the name 'Gowanus' in New York City?
-The name 'Gowanus' is one of the few place names in New York City that is derived from the original inhabitants, the Native Americans. However, the exact meaning of 'Gowanus' remains unclear, with theories suggesting it might be named after a chief, trees, or water, reflecting the uncertainty and the 'fuzzy' understanding of the city's indigenous history.
How does the speaker describe the Native Americans' interaction with the Europeans upon their arrival?
-The speaker describes the Native Americans as being very cheerful, eager, and helpful towards the Europeans. They were depicted as coming towards the Europeans with great shouts of admiration and showing them where to land safely, which was seen as being 'too cheerful' by some, like the first pastor of New York.
What is the foundation myth of New York City involving the Native Americans and the Dutch?
-The foundation myth involves the Dutch leader supposedly purchasing the island of Manhattan from the Native Americans for a handful of beads, which is a simplified and often misinterpreted story. The actual historical record consists of just one sentence in a letter from 1626, without any mention of beads or a formal deed of sale.
What is the meaning behind the terms 'Dexter' and 'Sinister' in the context of the New York City seal?
-In the context of the New York City seal, 'Dexter' and 'Sinister' are Latin terms for 'right' and 'left,' respectively, and do not refer to the moral characteristics of the figures depicted. However, they have been mistakenly interpreted as the names of the sailor and the Native American, with 'Sinister' being wrongly associated with the Native American figure.
Why does the speaker mention 'wampum' and how is it related to the story of Manhattan's purchase?
-Wampum refers to the beads that are often mistakenly considered as the currency used by the Dutch to purchase Manhattan. The speaker clarifies that wampum, while valuable and used for trading, was not money in the conventional sense but rather 'quasi money,' highlighting the misunderstanding of the transaction's nature.
What is the irony the speaker points out regarding the Native American's portrayal in the city's narrative?
-The irony highlighted by the speaker is the stereotype of the Native American as shortsighted for 'selling' Manhattan for a few trinkets, which contrasts with the reality of their sophisticated culture and understanding of the land, as well as the actual value of the items exchanged.
How does the speaker describe the Lenape people's relationship with nature?
-The Lenape people are described as having a deep connection with nature, practicing sustainable farming techniques, and holding spiritual beliefs that respected the environment and its creatures, such as believing in a spirit that calmed animals before they were hunted.
What is the significance of the term 'Shu anak' as mentioned in the script?
-The term 'Shu anak' is what the Lenape called Europeans, meaning 'the salty people' or 'ocean voyagers.' It reflects the Lenape's perception of Europeans as seafarers and is the first description of the Lenape by a European explorer.
Why does the speaker criticize the use of a Plains Indian war bonnet on the Native American figure in the city seal?
-The speaker criticizes the use of a Plains Indian war bonnet because it is an inaccurate representation of the local Native Americans' attire. The bonnet is a symbol of power and respect from a different cultural context, thousands of miles away, and its use in the seal is a fashion mistake that perpetuates a stereotype.
What does the speaker suggest is the value of understanding the Lenape culture and correcting misconceptions?
-The speaker suggests that understanding the Lenape culture and correcting misconceptions is valuable because it provides a more accurate and respectful view of the indigenous people's history and contributions. It challenges the biases and stereotypes ingrained in the city's narrative and encourages a deeper appreciation for the complexity of the Lenape's society.

Outlines

00:00

🗽 Exploring the Origins of New York's Name and Symbols

The speaker begins by discussing the scarcity of places in New York City named after the original inhabitants, mentioning Gowanus as one of the few exceptions. The etymology of 'Gowanus' remains unclear, with theories ranging from a Native American chief to geographical features. The talk then shifts to the broader context of New York City, using the name's ambiguity as a starting point to delve into the city's history and identity. A flagpole in Battery Park is highlighted, referencing the popular myth of the Dutch purchasing Manhattan for trinkets. The city's seal is also discussed, with a focus on the depiction of a sailor and a Native American, mistakenly referred to as 'Dexter' and 'Sinister' in popular belief. The speaker clarifies that these are Latin terms for 'right' and 'left,' not names, and critiques the stereotyped representation of the Native American figure. The talk touches on the early interactions between Europeans and the Lenape tribe, noting the Lenape's initial friendliness and the Dutch's perception of them as 'salty people.' The speaker also addresses the Dutch pastor's negative view of the Lenape, contrasting it with the Dutch traders' more positive impressions. The paragraph concludes with a reflection on the Dutch view of the Lenape as taller, fitter, and with better teeth, and their belief in a different creation story, which influenced their relationship with nature.

05:01

📜 Debunking Myths: The Exchange for Manhattan and the Misrepresentation of Native Americans

In this paragraph, the speaker challenges the popular narrative of the Dutch acquiring Manhattan for a mere 60 guilders' worth of trinkets. The state historian's claim is questioned based on the lack of concrete evidence, such as a deed of sale or specific mention of beads and trinkets, in a 1626 letter by colonists. The speaker then explores the concept of wampum, which was a form of valuable beads used by the Lenape but not considered money. The speaker interviews an expert to understand that wampum was 'quasi money,' valuable for trade but not a currency. The paragraph also addresses the irony and bias in the city's perception of the Native Americans' shortsightedness in the supposed 'sale' of Manhattan. The speaker uses examples of statues in Central Park, including one of Shakespeare and another of an 'Indian hunter,' to illustrate the contrast in how intelligence and civilization were represented. The paragraph concludes with a call to reevaluate and appreciate the Lenape's sophisticated way of life, their engineering skills in land management, and their spiritual beliefs, which were misunderstood and misrepresented by the colonists.

Mindmap

Keywords

💡Gowanus

Gowanus refers to a neighborhood in Brooklyn, New York City, and is one of the few places in the city named after the original inhabitants, the Lenape people. The name's meaning is unclear, adding to the theme of obscured history and cultural misunderstanding. The script uses Gowanus as a starting point to discuss broader themes of cultural erasure and misrepresentation.

💡Lenape

The Lenape are the Native American people who originally inhabited the area that is now New York City. The script highlights the Lenape to discuss the historical interactions between Native Americans and European settlers, and to contrast the advanced and sophisticated culture of the Lenape with the commonly held stereotypes of 'savages'.

💡Dexter and Sinister

In the context of the script, 'Dexter' and 'Sinister' are terms from heraldry used to describe the left and right sides of a coat of arms. The script humorously points out that these terms have been mistakenly taken as the names of the figures depicted on the city seal, illustrating the misinterpretations and errors in historical narratives.

💡Wampum

Wampum are beads made from shells that were used by Native Americans, including the Lenape, for ornamentation and as a form of currency. The script discusses wampum to challenge the popular myth that Manhattan was purchased for 'beads,' emphasizing that wampum had value but was not money in the European sense.

💡Phrenology

Phrenology was a discredited 19th-century pseudoscience that claimed one's character could be determined by the shape of one's skull. The script mentions a statue in Central Park that reflects this outdated belief, using it to critique the perpetuation of racial stereotypes and biases.

💡Shu anak

The term 'Shu anak' is what the Lenape called Europeans, meaning 'salty people' or 'ocean voyagers.' This term is used in the script to illustrate the Lenape's perspective on the newcomers, contrasting with the often derogatory terms used by Europeans to describe the Lenape.

💡Historical Erasure

Historical erasure refers to the suppression or omission of certain historical events or figures from the mainstream narrative. The script discusses how the Lenape and their culture have been largely erased from the popular history of New York City, highlighting the importance of acknowledging and understanding this lost heritage.

💡Cultural Misrepresentation

Cultural misrepresentation occurs when a culture is inaccurately or unfairly portrayed, often perpetuating stereotypes. The script points out several instances of this, such as the incorrect use of a Plains Indian war bonnet to represent a Lenape man on the city seal, emphasizing the need for accurate and respectful representation.

💡Quasi Money

Quasi money refers to items that have some of the functions of money but are not universally accepted as currency. The script uses the example of wampum to explain how it was a form of valuable trade goods but not actual money, challenging the common narrative that Manhattan was bought for 'trinkets'.

💡Irony

Irony is a rhetorical device, literary technique, or event in which what appears, on the surface, to be the case, differs radically from what is actually the case. The script uses irony to discuss the shortsightedness attributed to the Lenape in the myth of selling Manhattan for a few trinkets, suggesting a more complex and less one-sided historical reality.

💡Phrenologist

A phrenologist is someone who practices phrenology, the pseudoscience mentioned earlier. The script refers to a phrenologist's view of Shakespeare's intellect, reflected in the shape of his forehead, to critique the perpetuation of outdated and racist ideas about intelligence and culture.

Highlights

The original names of New York places are mostly lost, with only a few like Gowanus remaining.

The meaning behind the name 'Gowanus' is unclear, with theories ranging from a chief's name to trees or water.

Native Americans inhabited the area for thousands of years before European arrival, but their culture has been largely paved over.

The talk uses the confusion around the name 'Gowanus' to explore broader issues of New York City's history.

The flagpole in the battery and the purchase of Manhattan are part of New York's foundation myth.

The official seal of New York City features a sailor and an Indian, but their names 'Dexter' and 'Sinister' are misinterpretations.

The Lenape called Europeans 'Shu anak' or 'salty people', reflecting their ocean voyager status.

Early interactions between the Lenape and Europeans were characterized by cheerfulness and eagerness from the Lenape.

The Dutch were impressed by the Lenape's height, fitness, and dental health compared to Europeans.

The Lenape had a different worldview, believing they grew from the earth like plants, unlike the European belief in divine creation.

The Indian on the city seal is depicted wearing a Plains Indian war bonnet, which is anachronistic and geographically incorrect.

The story of the Dutch purchasing Manhattan for trinkets is based on a single sentence in a 1626 letter, not a deed of sale.

Wampum, the beads mentioned in the letter, were not money but had value and were used in trade.

The idea of the shortsighted Indian giving away Manhattan for trinkets is a bias ingrained in New York's history.

The term 'lowbrow' has historical roots in the belief that a high forehead indicated intelligence, contrasting with the Lenape.

The Lenape were skilled engineers and maximizers, practicing sustainable farming and land management.

The Lenape's spiritual beliefs included a spirit that rode through the forest on a stag and a Milky Way trail to the afterlife.

Encouraging a deeper understanding of the Lenape and challenging the perpetuation of stereotypes is essential for a more accurate historical perspective.