The Native American State That Never Was

Summary

The video explores the complex history of Native American land in Oklahoma, focusing on how indigenous tribes were displaced through treaties, bureaucracy, and broken promises by the U.S. government. It highlights the creation of Indian Territory, the push for statehood by Native Americans through the proposed state of Sequoyah, and the eventual erasure of their sovereignty. The story reveals the systematic removal of native lands for white settlers, while addressing the modern implications of these historical injustices. The narrator also shares personal insights and promotes tools for online privacy protection.

Takeaways

• 🌍 The video discusses the history of Oklahoma and the displacement of Native Americans to this region after the Civil War.
• 🚫 Oklahoma became a dumping ground for Native Americans displaced by the U.S. government through treaties and bureaucratic paperwork.
• 📜 The U.S. government broke promises of leaving Native Americans alone in Indian Territory, resulting in further displacement as settlers moved westward.
• 🏃‍♂️ Settlers rushed into the so-called 'unassigned lands' within Indian Territory during several land runs, claiming land that had been promised to Native Americans.
• 📐 The process of allotment divided tribal lands into grids, enabling settlers to claim land, while Native Americans were allocated small portions to live on.
• 📜 In 1890, Indian Territory was divided into two parts: Oklahoma Territory for settlers and a reduced Indian Territory for the five 'civilized tribes.'
• 🏞️ The five tribes attempted to form their own state, Sequoyah, to preserve their sovereignty, but the U.S. Congress ignored their proposal.
• 🗺️ The Oklahoma state constitution was largely copied from Sequoyah’s constitution after the tribes' proposal was rejected.
• ⚖️ In 2020, a Supreme Court ruling reaffirmed that much of eastern Oklahoma still belongs to the Native American tribes, based on original treaties.
• 📝 The video emphasizes how the U.S. government used legal and bureaucratic processes to erase Native American identity and sovereignty over time.

Q & A

What is the historical focus of the video?

The video focuses on the history of Oklahoma, particularly how Native American tribes were forcibly relocated there, the broken treaties by the US government, and the subsequent erosion of native sovereignty through land allotment and settlement.

What does the video describe as a new weapon of state power used against Native Americans?

The new weapon of state power mentioned in the video refers to paperwork, treaties, payments, and bureaucratic processes like allotment that the US government used to justify taking Native American land and reducing their sovereignty.

What was 'Indian Territory' and how did it change over time?

'Indian Territory' was a region where Native American tribes were forcibly relocated by the US government. Initially, it was supposed to be a place where they could live without interference, but over time, it was carved up, sold, and settled by European settlers through allotment, breaking the promises made to the tribes.

What is 'allotment' and how did it affect Native American lands?

Allotment was the process of dividing Native American lands into individual plots and selling the surplus to settlers. It transformed tribal territories into grids, with most land being taken away from native peoples and sold off to European settlers.

What was the 'Sequoyah Constitutional Convention' and its significance?

The Sequoyah Constitutional Convention was an effort by the five tribes in Indian Territory to create their own state, Sequoyah, in a bid to preserve some autonomy as their lands were being taken over. Despite creating a full constitution and gaining support, Congress rejected their proposal, merging their lands into the state of Oklahoma.

How did the Oklahoma Constitution relate to the Sequoyah Constitution?

The Oklahoma Constitution was largely copied from the Sequoyah Constitution. Historians refer to it as 'the ultimate cut and paste job,' since the work done by the Native American tribes to form Sequoyah was appropriated for the new state of Oklahoma.

What role did racism and political concerns play in the rejection of the Sequoyah proposal?

Racism played a significant role in the rejection, as many lawmakers didn't like the idea of a state governed by Native Americans. Additionally, political concerns—such as a fear that Sequoyah would add Democratic representation in Congress—led to its swift dismissal.

What was the significance of the 2020 Supreme Court ruling mentioned in the video?

The 2020 Supreme Court ruling recognized that the treaties signed between the US government and the five tribes were still valid, meaning that much of the land in Oklahoma originally promised to them was still legally considered tribal land. This ruling had significant implications for Native American sovereignty in the region.

What does the video suggest about the use of bureaucracy and paperwork in colonialism?

The video suggests that bureaucracy and paperwork were tools of modern colonialism. The US government used treaties, maps, grids, and legal documents to legitimize their taking of Native American lands, making it seem orderly and lawful, even though these actions systematically dismantled Native cultures and sovereignties.

What message does the video convey about how Native Americans were categorized by the US government?

The video conveys that Native Americans were categorized broadly as 'Indians' by the US government, erasing the distinct cultures, languages, and histories of the many tribes. This oversimplified label made it easier for the government to manipulate and reduce their lands and identities through treaties and bureaucracy.