Echoes of the Past: Stories Untold
- ISA
- Jun 28
- 2 min read
Updated: 2 hours ago
Article
If you have any Indigenous background, you know how complicated this country's history is and how many different groups have come here over time, both in the past and still today. I have Shawnee and Cherokee heritage through my bloodline, but I am not a member of either tribe (Nation). We were always told about our Native or Indigenous connections, some of which go beyond the United States. It wasn't until more recent times that databases allowed people to access records without needing to travel a lot in which their family's personal documents could finally be verified. Some people who have a mix of Native American and European (American) heritage, maybe even some from West Asia or other Asian backgrounds, and possibly other mixtures as well, didn't all live on reservations. In fact, some still don't live on reservations today. At this point, some people might or might not qualify to be part of certain tribes based on blood quantum rules, but a lot of them know about their ancestral background and are interested in learning more about it. It's clear that not everyone comes from Indigenous backgrounds or has a similar family story, because I've always seen this country as a place that keeps changing and growing. But for those who do have such histories, their connection and experiences with this land are very different.
Final Note
In the past, not everyone lived the same way, and there were many different groups with their own beliefs and lifestyles. Even at times, there would be discrepancies and arguments amongst these differing people from various backgrounds. Since we have a platform, we believe in sharing the many stories of this complex country that continue to grow and become established. The following are the opinions or content of the people who created the presentations below. The content is not presented as a political position or ideology in relation to Integrative Studies and Arts. At times, we simply share different viewpoints and experiences of those discussing their own perspectives.
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