Unit 5 Destination Discussion - Lummi Nation

Advance Preparation: Please read Chapters Nine and Ten of An Indigenous People’s History of the United States (“U.S. Triumphalism” and “Ghost Dance Prophecy”).

Either in advance of your meeting or as a group, please read this article from Indian Country Today, which shows how the 1950s era of “Termination” in U.S.-Indigenous relations still finds echoes in our contemporary politics.

Discussion:

Dunbar-Ortiz divides the twentieth century history of U.S.-Indigenous relations into three broad eras: 1) The New Deal; 2) Termination; and 3) the Civil Rights/ Great Society era.

  • What, in your understanding, is Dunbar-Ortiz’s overall assessment of the achievements and failures of these three eras?
  • Having read these chapters, what do you think are the noteworthy positive developments in any of these eras?
  • What do you think are some injustices and failures in this recent history that people can learn from today?
  • In light of the article from Indian Country Today, how would you relate these victories and setbacks for Indigenous rights in the twentieth century to debates in our contemporary politics?

 

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Heather Vickery is responsible for developing and maintaining relationships with UU congregations, State Action Networks, past UU College of Social Justice (UUCSJ) program participants, and regional staff in order to expand engagement in UUSC and UUCSJ’s work. As the Coordinator for Congregational Activism, she manages the workshop offerings and group visits to the UUSC/UUCSJ office and assists with communications for the Activism and Justice Education Team. Heather is an active member of the Boston Immigration Justice Accompaniment Network and a dedicated dog-mom to her rescue puppy Nova.

Heather may be contacted at hvickery@uucsj.org and 617-301-4303