Aaron Huey: America's native prisoners of war

Summary

The speaker shares a poignant photographic journey of the Lakota tribe, detailing their forced relocation to reservations and the historical injustices they've faced. From the creation of the Bureau of Indian Affairs in 1824 to the Wounded Knee Massacre in 1890, the narrative underscores the broken treaties and the ongoing struggles of the Lakota people, including extreme poverty, lack of basic amenities, and health crises. The speaker, identifying as 'wasichu' or non-Indian, calls for the honoring of treaties and the return of the Black Hills, urging reflection on the responsibility of the dominant society in rectifying historical wrongs.

Takeaways

• 📸 The speaker shares their photographs and experiences with the Lakota people, highlighting the historical and ongoing struggles of indigenous tribes in the United States.
• 🏞️ The Lakota were forcibly relocated to reservations, with the Pine Ridge Reservation being a significant site of historical and current Native American issues.
• 🏳️‍🦱 The term 'wasichu', used by the Lakota to describe non-Indians, carries a double meaning of 'greedy', reflecting the speaker's self-reflection on privilege.
• 🗓️ A timeline of treaties and broken promises is presented, starting from 1824 with the creation of the Bureau of Indian Affairs, illustrating a pattern of aggression and deceit.
• 🛤️ The Homestead Act and the Transcontinental Railroad led to the invasion of Native lands and the disregard for treaties, causing significant disruption to the Lakota way of life.
• 🔫 The Wounded Knee Massacre of 1890 marked a brutal end to the Indian wars, with US troops killing hundreds of Sioux, including women and children.
• 🏆 The US government's response to the Wounded Knee Massacre was to award medals for valor, despite the massacre being a slaughter of innocents.
• 🏡 Post-colonization, the Pine Ridge Reservation faces extreme poverty, with high unemployment, poor housing conditions, and lack of basic amenities like electricity.
• 🏥 Health issues are rampant, with significantly higher rates of tuberculosis, cervical cancer, and diabetes among the Native population compared to the national average.
• 📚 Education is severely impacted, with high dropout rates and teacher turnover, contributing to a cycle of poverty and lack of opportunities.
• 🙏 The speaker concludes with a call to action, urging the honoring of treaties and the return of the Black Hills to the Lakota, as a step towards addressing historical injustices.

Q & A

Who are the Lakota and what is their relationship to the Sioux?

The Lakota are one of the many tribes that make up the larger group known as the Sioux. They are a Native American tribe that has a history of displacement and resistance against the encroachment of settlers on their lands.

What is the significance of the Pine Ridge Reservation in the context of Native American history?

The Pine Ridge Reservation is significant as it is often referred to as Prisoner of War Camp Number 334 and is where the Lakota now live after being moved off their land. It is also considered ground zero for Native issues in the US due to its association with the American Indian Movement and historical events like the standoff at Oglala.

What does the term 'wasichu' mean in the Lakota language and how is it used in the script?

In the Lakota language, 'wasichu' means 'non-Indian.' It is also used to describe someone who is greedy, taking the best part of the meat for themselves. In the script, the term is used to highlight the historical and ongoing exploitation of Native American resources by non-Native people.

What was the purpose of the Bureau of Indian Affairs when it was created in 1824?

The Bureau of Indian Affairs was created within the War Department in 1824, setting an early tone of aggression in dealings with Native Americans. It was responsible for overseeing relations and policies concerning Native American tribes.

What was the impact of the Homestead Act on the Lakota Nation?

The Homestead Act, signed by President Lincoln, led to a flood of white settlers into Native lands, including those of the Lakota Nation. This resulted in the violation of the first treaty of Fort Laramie and the eventual displacement of the Lakota people.

How did the construction of the Transcontinental Railroad affect the Lakota?

The construction of the Transcontinental Railroad in 1869 led to the appropriation of Lakota lands for trails and trains, effectively bypassing the treaties that had been established. This resulted in the loss of land and resources for the Lakota people.

What was the significance of the second Fort Laramie Treaty in 1868?

The second Fort Laramie Treaty guaranteed the sovereignty of the Great Sioux Nation and the Lakotas' ownership of the sacred Black Hills. It also promised land and hunting rights in the surrounding states, marking a significant victory for Red Cloud and the Sioux.

What was the Dawes Act of 1887 and how did it impact Native American reservations?

The Dawes Act ended communal ownership of reservation lands, dividing them into individual plots of 160 acres. This led to the loss of millions of acres of land for tribes, as the surplus was often sold or taken by non-Native individuals, further dividing and weakening the reservations.

What happened during the Wounded Knee Massacre in 1890 and why is it significant?

The Wounded Knee Massacre in 1890 saw US troops surround a Sioux encampment and massacre Chief Big Foot and 300 prisoners of war. This event is significant as it marked the end of the Indian wars and is considered a grave for all indigenous peoples, symbolizing the end of their dreams and way of life.

What was the outcome of the Sioux Nation versus the United States court case in 1980?

In 1980, the US Supreme Court ruled that the Black Hills were illegally taken from the Sioux Nation, and that the initial offering price plus interest should be paid to the Sioux. However, the Sioux refused the money, stating that the Black Hills are not for sale.

What are some of the current challenges faced by the Pine Ridge Indian Reservation as mentioned in the script?

The Pine Ridge Indian Reservation faces numerous challenges including high unemployment rates, inadequate housing, lack of electricity, high rates of tuberculosis and cervical cancer, low life expectancy, and a legacy of poverty and social issues stemming from historical injustices.