Tag: manifest destiny

Anthropology, General History, Native Issues, Oregon indians, Uncategorized8 Comments

Ignoring Tribal History in a Contemporary Exhibit

David G. Lewis, PhD

On 10/26, 2019 I visited the Open house at the Oregon State Archives, Salem, OR, and was supremely disappointed at their new exhibit Rust, Rot, & Ruin, which documents the beginning of key industries in Oregon through the boomtowns founded by gold mining, logging, farming and ranching,  and other mining. Some of these industries produced company towns, which have since become ghost towns, largely abandoned by the original settler families who made their wealth off of these natural resources. The text has few, very few, mentions of Native peoples and Chinese people. There is a panel on the Chinese laborers … Continue reading Ignoring Tribal History in a Contemporary Exhibit

General History, Native Issues, Oregon indiansLeave a comment

Manifest Destiny in American Policy

David G. Lewis, PhD

Manifest Destiny has plagued Native peoples of the United States for over 160 years. Historians have written extensively about the philosophy which seemed to become policy of the United States and its citizens in the 19th century. Under the notions of Manifest destiny ten of thousand of Indians were killed, Native Nations were pushed out of the way for Americans to settle their lands. The notions of Manifest Destiny made what was happening to the Tribe a justified action because it was the divine will of providence that Americans should own the whole of the continent. In this manner millions … Continue reading Manifest Destiny in American Policy

General History, Oregon indians, Uncategorized4 Comments

Manifest Destiny is not the Only Story: The Value of Inclusionary History

David G. Lewis, PhD

Contemporary education in social sciences amounts to teaching of the principles of Manifest Destiny. In a recent student essay from a University they stated, “set curriculums of history protect and glorify the rise of the US, it hurts true Natives to the land and increases the already growing stereotypes that they face in society.” Very Insightful! Native History Education Currently education about the history of the US ignores the real true history of the tribes. Most times local tribal histories are not taught at all. What education about the tribes amounts to is a generalized history of “Native Americans” and … Continue reading Manifest Destiny is not the Only Story: The Value of Inclusionary History