In an effort to promote Native versions of history rather than the current ethnocentrichistory most Natives are forced to learn in school, this will be a new section ofThe Nation.
We present you with past events from July 16 to 31 in American Indian history.
Unfortunally I do not have the greatest amount of our Cree history to place here so Iwill include other Native peoples’ historical facts as well. If you know of some Creehistory dates then please write or phone me and give me the info.
July 16th:
1585: After yesterday’s first encounter between the Roanoke colony and Alongquin Indians in the village of Aquascogoc, in North Carolina, colonists discover a silver cup is missing. Today, colony Governor Ralph Lane and the colonists return to the village to demand the cup. When the cup is not returned, “we burned and spoiled all their com,” according to the Governor’s journal. This is one of the first conflicts between the European “boat people” and Native inhabitants.
1862: As a small group of mounted soldiers attempt to leave the Apache Pass watering hole, Mangas and some warriors attack. During the fight. Mangas is shot in the chest. The Indians abandon the fight with the loss of their leader. Eventually, Cochise will take his father-in-law to Mexico, where he will hold a town hostage until a Mexican doctor heals Mangas.
1887: A law is passed which says no Indian languages can be used as a reservation language in schools.
July 17th:
1863: U.S. Union forces battle the Confederates at Honey Springs. This will be the biggest battle of the Civil War to take place in Indian “Territory. The Confederate Indian forces, made up of Cherokee, Chickasaw, Choctow and Creeks, are defeated.
July 18th:
1778: Joseph Brant (Brandt) and 500 Iroquois followers will attack the small village of Springfield in New York today. Fourteen men will be captured, 8 killed, and most of the village will be burned in the fighting.
1942: The Six Nations declare war on the Axis Powers (Nazis).
July 19th:
1881: After askiing the Canadian government to establish a reservation for his people, Sitting Bull (Tatanka Yotanka) is told they are not Canadians and no reservation will be made. Many of his most trusted followers have already crossed back into the United States and are now on reservations. Sitting Bull finally decides to return to the United States. On this date, Sitting Bull rides into Fort Buford in North Dakota. Sitting Bull is accompanied by slightly less than 190 of his beleaguered tribe. He will officially surrender to American authorities tomorrow.
July 20th:
1528: After spending almost a month in the Apalachee village of Ivitachuco, the Narvaez expedition will leave. They will set out in their quest for gold. With Narvaez is Aztec Prince “letlahuehue-tzquititzin. The Prince, also known as Don Pedro, fought with the Spanish against Montezuma. Apalachee warriors during this search for gold will kill him.
1805: Indians burn the prairie upon seeing Lewis and Clark.
1881: According to Army records, Sitting Bull officially surrenders and is accompanied by 45 men, 67 women, and 73 children.
July 21st:
1806: Crow Indians steal 24 of Lewis and Clark’s horses.
July 22nd:
1814: A Treaty is signed with five different Indian Nations. The United States declares peace.
1876: After Custer’s defeat on the Ut-tle BigHorn River (the Greasy Grass), Americans wanted revenge on the Plains Indians. General Sherman receives orders to impose military rule over all of the plains reservations. All Plains Indians are considered to be prisoners of war.
1996: “Today, in Syracuse, New York, Leon Shenandoah died at 81 years of age. Shenandoah was a leader of the Onondaga. In 1969, he was named the Tadadaho, or the Spiritual Leader, of the Iroquois Confederacy.
July 23rd:
1892: Government says no alcohol sales are allowed on Indian land.
1971: John Crow, a Cherokee, is appointed commissioner of the Bureau of Indian Affairs, today.
July 24th:
1534: Cartier claims land in the name of France.
July 25th:
1834: “Today, Crows, led by Rotten Belly, will begin a siege of Fort McKenzie on the Missouri River, which will end in about one week.
July 26th:
1796: George Catlin, painter, is born today.
July 27th:
1585: Sir Walter Raleigh given grant for Roanoke.
1806: Indians steal guns from the Lewis and Clark expedition. One Indian will be killed.
1871 : Today start negotiations between Cree and Ojibawa Indians and the Government of Canada at Stone Fort (later Fort Garry), in present-day Winnipeg, Manitoba. This will be the Stone Fort Treaty, or Treaty Number One.
1874: Gold found in the Black Hills.
July 28th:
1865: Sioux, including Sitting Bull, attack soldiers at Fort Rice.
1868: On this date, the 14th Amendment becomes a part of the U.S. Constitution. It grants equal rights to all men, with the exception of Indians.
July 29th:
1968: The American Indian Movement (A.I.M.) is founded.
July 30th :
1868: Yesterday, the army abandoned Fort C.F Smith, in Montana. Today, Red Cloud enters the fort in triumph. Red Cloud, and his followers, will burn every building to the ground.
July 31st:
1881: Sitting Bull is received in Bismarck for a “big reception.”
