07/02/2021
As Americans prepare to celebrate Independence Day on July 4th, we want to focus on what the Declaration of Independence historically meant to different communities. We emphasize exploring the experiences of Indigenous communities as part of the NJHC's 2021 programmatic theme. Although many Americans remember the Declaration of Independence affirming that all men are created equal, Native Americans were not included in such declaration. Instead, signers' negatively painted Native Americans as part of their grievances against the king:
“He has excited domestic insurrections amongst us, and has endeavoured to bring on the inhabitants of our frontiers, the merciless Indian Savages, whose known rule of warfare, is an undistinguished destruction of all ages, sexes and conditions.”
The emergence of the United States as a newly independent nation vastly diminished Indigenous culture and land. In 1883, Congress passed the Religious Crimes Code to regulate Native American ceremonial and religious life. As a result, Indigenous superintendents and agents justified reservations to conduct ceremonies on July 4th for Native Americans to learn patriotism to the United States. That is why many Native American tribal gatherings take place on or near the 4th of July. Over time, cultural ceremonies became tribal homecomings, specifically honoring the Native American veterans who have served in the U.S. armed forces. Read more about the many ways Indigenous communities celebrate on the 4th of July here: https://www.smithsonianmag.com/blogs/national-museum-american-indian/2020/07/01/do-american-indians-celebrate-4th-july/
As Americans prepare to celebrate Independence Day on July 4th, we want to focus on what the Declaration of Independence historically meant to different communities. We emphasize exploring the experiences of Indigenous communities as part of the NJHC's 2021 programmatic theme. Although many Americans remember the Declaration of Independence affirming that all men are created equal, Native Americans were not included in such declaration. Instead, signers' negatively painted Native Americans as part of their grievances against the king:
“He has excited domestic insurrections amongst us, and has endeavoured to bring on the inhabitants of our frontiers, the merciless Indian Savages, whose known rule of warfare, is an undistinguished destruction of all ages, sexes and conditions.”
The emergence of the United States as a newly independent nation vastly diminished Indigenous culture and land. In 1883, Congress passed the Religious Crimes Code to regulate Native American ceremonial and religious life. As a result, Indigenous superintendents and agents justified reservations to conduct ceremonies on July 4th for Native Americans to learn patriotism to the United States. That is why many Native American tribal gatherings take place on or near the 4th of July. Over time, cultural ceremonies became tribal homecomings, specifically honoring the Native American veterans who have served in the U.S. armed forces. Read more about the many ways Indigenous communities celebrate on the 4th of July here: https://www.smithsonianmag.com/blogs/national-museum-american-indian/2020/07/01/do-american-indians-celebrate-4th-july/
