Most students have no clue what accurate Native American history looks like.

2015-11-25T17:39:35-05:00

I've always had a big spot in my heart for Native Americans. They have been treated like crap for years and years by our government. Most of them stayed on the reservation, the government made them live on, and became alcoholics. Today a few are wealthy with gambling casinos on the reservation.
This article is about the kids in schools today don't understand the true meaning the Native Americans inviting colonists to break bread with them, that we call Thanksgiving.
Happy Thanksgiving to all of my RP buddies and their families.
And now for the rest of the story:
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"They're re-learning history. When we talk about Thanksgiving -- they're wrestling with these stories that they grew up with."

While schools take time off to celebrate Thanksgiving -- a holiday based on the supposed friendly relations between the Pilgrims and Mashpee Wampanoag Native American tribe -- they often fail to teach students about the hundreds of years of damage Americans inflicted on Native cultures.

Most K-12 textbooks gloss over or ignore some of the more tragic aspects of Native American history, according to research from Penn State Altoona professor Sarah Shear. Shear, who studies how state curriculum standards and textbooks explain Native American history, most recently found that textbooks do a poor job covering indigenous education policies and Native American boarding schools.

http://www.huffingtonpost.com/entry/native-american-history_5654db42e4b0d4093a599d19?ir=Politics%253Fncid%253Dnewsltushpmg00000003

Most Students Have No Clue What Accurate Native American History Looks Like

"They're re-learning history. When we talk about Thanksgiving -- they're wrestling with these stories that they grew up with."

Response by 1stSgt Private RallyPoint Member made Nov 25 at 2015 5:42 PM

2015-11-25T17:42:33-05:00

So you mean all that BS we learned was not historically accurate?

Response by PO1 William "Chip" Nagel made Nov 25 at 2015 5:58 PM

2015-11-25T17:58:05-05:00

With a Sister-in-Law and Nephew that are Native American, I know better than open my Mouth on a subject that I have little experience on. Their Daddy/Grandpa was a WWII Sailor so he had all my Respect.

Response by SSG Private RallyPoint Member made Nov 25 at 2015 6:02 PM

2015-11-25T18:02:29-05:00

When your exposed to all the feel good stuff in school and then start learning and understanding the real history as an adult, your really learning more than just history... your learning how conservatives lie to support BS ideas like American exceptionalism.

Response by SGT Private RallyPoint Member made Nov 25 at 2015 6:43 PM

2015-11-25T18:43:31-05:00

Got this off "The Patriot Post". Very nice for Thanksgiving or any day of the week.

"I do recommend and assign Thursday ... next to be devoted by the People of these States to the service of that great and glorious Being, who is the beneficent Author of all the good that was, that is, or that will be." —George Washington, 1789

2015-11-23
Patriots, please join me in welcoming this Thanksgiving with a pause to step back and reflect upon how blessed we really are -- blessed far beyond any measure of what we deserve. In the dust of the recent electoral contest, and the enduring struggle to sustain Liberty, we sometimes become so preoccupied with the challenges we face as a nation that we neglect to take account of the full measure of the innumerable ways our Creator has blessed us.

One of the ways God has richly blessed this unworthy servant is by allowing me to lead a team of young Patriots endeavoring to keep the "flame of Liberty" burning bright. We are honored to share the burden of defending our inheritance of Liberty side-by-side with you and millions of other Patriots steadfast in that defense.

To put our national Day of Thanksgiving into proper context is to express gratitude for, in the words of George Washington, "the beneficent Author of all the good that was, that is, or that will be."

With this in mind, I invite you to read The History and Legacy of our National Thanksgiving.

For some added inspiration from our home state of Tennessee, listen to My Beautiful America from fellow Tennessean, Charlie Daniels, or read his inspirational tribute to our great country.

In his first Thanksgiving proclamation, President Ronald Reagan wrote: "As we celebrate Thanksgiving ... we should ask what we can do as individuals to demonstrate our gratitude to God for all He has done. Such reflection can only add to the significance of this precious day of remembrance. Let us recommit ourselves to that devotion to God and family that has played such an important role in making this a great Nation, and which will be needed as a source of strength if we are to remain a great people."
Indeed.

http://patriotpost.us/pages/284

The History and Legacy of Thanksgiving — The Patriot Post

Response by COL Jon Thompson made Nov 25 at 2015 6:46 PM

2015-11-25T18:46:30-05:00

I would disagree with certain parts of what she is saying. I went to high school in the late 70's and early 80's. In my American history classes, we discussed what happened with the Indians and also the slaves. I am sure it was not at the level that this author wants but we did look at it critically. We learned that America had its faults in its development and growth as a nation. America is far from an idealic Utopia but I would like anyone to name any nation, empire, kingdom, etc., that was(is). Even the native Americans were far from being saints towards each other. If you are going to look at the whole body of work, it must include good and bad. Unfortunately, I think too many in academia only look at the bad.

Response by SGT Dana Williams made Nov 25 at 2015 8:01 PM

2015-11-25T20:01:14-05:00

One must recognizes that anyone who writes of history is doing so from their personal perspective and is influenced by their personal bias. I've been an historian since I was 14 years old and have found that no "history book" is without inaccuracies. Of note, when the Paleo-Indians crossed the Bering Ice Bridge, the Clovis culture was already here ... but not for long. They disappeared rapidly. BTW: they were likely from Southern France.

Response by MAJ Alvin B. made Nov 25 at 2015 10:02 PM

2015-11-25T22:02:40-05:00

I have mixed feelings about th article. Part of the problem is a general down playing of history in many schools. Another issue is the attempt to translate the actions of the past through the moral filters of today. In general the relations between the Pilfrims and the Native tribes they encountered were generally peaceful for about 100 years. King Phillip's War marks the change (final break) in relations and a change in approach.

Frankly, the challenge is one of scope and time and an apparent belief that the dominion of one culture over another is somehow unique in its heaneous nature because it happened here, vice the exact counterparts in Europe and Asia, where there are ten thousand years of tribes, nations and peoples lost to conquest, and not always by the superior group.

There is no question that the Indian nations, First Nations, native peoples caught the short end of the stick. However, they also,fought each other, dominated, conquered and subjugated their rivals as well (all was not singing around the camp fire anpmong the Indian nations). However we seem to have a desire to view things via rose colored glasses.

As Europeans came to the new world to explore they brought destruction to the early occupants both unintentionally and deliberately, and the consequences were behind tragic. A study of human history and human nature indicates this is virtually the only outcome when these conditions exist. Wishing otherwise cannot undue the past, nor change the elemental nature of humanity.

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Response by Maj Kim Patterson made Nov 27 at 2015 2:53 AM

2015-11-27T02:53:07-05:00

Dependent on the age level, it seems some activities reinforce stereotypes at younger grades and the topic of Native Anericans seems to be almost ignored the further along in higher education one progresses unless you choose to pursue further information. The devestation that was wrought on the Native Americans is appalling. Sold as better living communities, so many were rounded up, displaced, robbed, killed( pretty much any evil you can imagine.) I have travelled the country and been on several reservations and have seen first hand what is left. We should be ashamed.

Of course there was conflict amongst some of the tribes for resources but many were peaceful. Each tribe has its own culture. Pow wows were held to come together to peacefully celebrate or resolve their differences. No matter what century or continent you look at, this will remain a constant. There will be conflict over resources.

I have a small percentage of Iroquois in my heritage and have spent time with the people of many tribes. I was honored to be a guest at the Native American Music Awards held annually in Seneca, NY, right next to Niagara Falls. Musicians from across the continent (US and Candada) gather to honor their cultures and the role music plays. I have been adopted by the Spirit Wind record Family and remain in touch with several performers I met. I was welcomed into prayer circles. While living in Arizona, it was impossible to ignore what has been done to the Navajo Nation.

Yes, there are now casinos located on tribal land. I think this initially was more because it provided a place where there was no taxation. The proceeds do not trickle down to the families of many tribes.

I was listening to the radio a few years back. A trivia question was asked. "Can you name 5 types of Native Anericans tribes?" I challenge you to do this without cheating with Google. Five is a very small number.