America's native prisoners of war: Aaron Huey at TEDxDU

Summary

This powerful script presents a personal account of the Lakota Nation's history, focusing on the effects of colonization, broken treaties, and violence. The speaker, a white photographer, shares a deeply emotional and historical journey through images and narration, addressing the ongoing struggles of the Lakota people. From their forced relocation to the massacre at Wounded Knee, the narrative examines the lasting impact of colonization, showing the stark contrasts in life for indigenous peoples today. The speaker calls for action, urging the honoring of treaties and the return of the Black Hills, as a vital step toward healing and justice.

Takeaways

• 😀 The Lakota are part of the larger Sioux Nation, originally moved off their land and into reservations, specifically the Pine Ridge Reservation, which has a complex history tied to Native rights and struggles.
• 😀 The Lakota people have faced centuries of violence, broken treaties, and injustice as the U.S. government seized their land and violated agreements.
• 😀 The speaker, a white photographer, acknowledges the racial and cultural divide, describing his experiences as a guest within the Lakota community while still being seen as 'wasichu' (non-Indian, or the one who takes the best part of the meat, meaning greedy).
• 😀 The history of broken treaties is exemplified by events like the second Fort Laramie Treaty, which promised sovereignty for the Lakota but was violated repeatedly through actions like the Homestead Act and the Transcontinental Railroad.
• 😀 Key massacres and betrayals such as the killing of 38 Sioux men in 1863, the defeat of the U.S. Army by Lakota forces, and the Wounded Knee Massacre in 1890 highlight the brutal history of U.S.-Native relations.
• 😀 The speaker emphasizes that the Wounded Knee Massacre marked the end of the Indian Wars, with a significant loss for Native communities and the beginning of a new era of systemic oppression.
• 😀 The Sioux Nation took legal action to reclaim the Black Hills, which were taken illegally under the second Fort Laramie Treaty. Despite a ruling in their favor, the Sioux refused the compensation, declaring 'The Black Hills are not for sale.'
• 😀 The current situation on Pine Ridge Reservation reflects the long-lasting impacts of colonization: poverty, high unemployment, poor living conditions, high disease rates, and a shortened life expectancy.
• 😀 The speaker questions the connection between past injustices and present suffering, urging the audience to acknowledge their role in the historical oppression of indigenous peoples.
• 😀 A call to action is made to honor treaties and return the Black Hills to the Lakota, emphasizing the moral responsibility of the dominant society in rectifying historical wrongs.

Q & A

What does the term 'wasichu' mean in the Lakota language?

'Wasichu' is a Lakota word meaning 'non-Indian,' but it also carries a negative connotation, referring to someone who is greedy and takes the best part of the meat.

Why is Pine Ridge Reservation referred to as 'Prisoner of War Camp Number 334'?

Pine Ridge Reservation is called 'Prisoner of War Camp Number 334' because it is the place where the Lakota people were relocated after being moved off their ancestral lands and treated as prisoners of war.

What is the significance of the Wounded Knee Massacre in Native American history?

The Wounded Knee Massacre, which occurred in 1890, is considered the end of the Indian wars. It symbolizes the brutal suppression of Native peoples and is a pivotal moment in the history of the Lakota and indigenous nations.

How did the US government violate the 1851 and 1868 Fort Laramie Treaties?

The US government violated the Fort Laramie Treaties by breaking promises to the Lakota, such as respecting their sovereignty, maintaining their land rights, and preventing white settlers from encroaching on their territory, especially with the discovery of gold in the Black Hills.

What is the legacy of the Dawes Act of 1887?

The Dawes Act of 1887 led to the division of communal reservation lands into individual plots. It undermined the collective ownership of land among Native tribes, resulting in the loss of millions of acres and allowing white ranchers to gain control of much of the land.

How did the American Indian Movement (AIM) relate to Pine Ridge?

The American Indian Movement (AIM) became closely associated with Pine Ridge due to its activism on Native issues, including the standoff at Oglala. AIM and its leaders, like Russell Means and Leonard Peltier, sought to bring attention to the conditions and rights of indigenous peoples.

What is the significance of the Sioux Nation versus the United States court case in 1980?

The Sioux Nation versus the United States case in 1980 resulted in the US Supreme Court acknowledging that the government had violated the terms of the 1868 Fort Laramie Treaty by taking the Black Hills. The court awarded the Sioux Nation $106 million, but the Sioux refused the money, maintaining that the Black Hills were not for sale.

What are the current conditions like on the Pine Ridge Reservation?

The Pine Ridge Reservation faces severe socio-economic challenges, including high unemployment rates, poor housing conditions, widespread poverty, high rates of tuberculosis and infant mortality, and limited access to quality healthcare and education.

How does the speaker relate the suffering of the Lakota people to the broader legacy of colonization?

The speaker highlights that the suffering of the Lakota people is part of the ongoing legacy of colonization, broken treaties, and systemic injustice. The past violations and massacres have led to continued struggles for indigenous communities today.

What is the speaker's 'call to action' regarding Native American rights?

The speaker's call to action is for the US government to honor the treaties, specifically the Fort Laramie Treaties, and to return the Black Hills to the Lakota people, acknowledging the historical and ongoing injustices.