Quote:
Originally Posted by BelleZora
Thanks for your interesting post, issybird. Although this may be off-topic as far as Fools Crow, it is surely not off-topic concerning the theme of the suppression and suffering of native peoples.
This article about the extermination of the Abenaki was just featured on the Indian Country Today Media Network.
The historical marker in your town describes (one-sidedly) the Oyster River Massacre of July 18, 1694, which took place during King William's War. Here is a quote concerning a bounty offered at the beginning of that war:
I have been in Cochise County in southeastern Arizona all month exploring museums and places rich in history. No matter where I go I am struck by the sensitivity of historical markers and museum displays to the condition of all the earlier people. At the Fort Huachuca museum a display featuring a late 1800's white army wife with a recording telling her story has her speaking in an Irish accent. It brought to mind an unspoken back story of the suffering she probably endured in arriving at this corner of the frontier. The Apaches trying to survive and the Buffalo soldiers once stationed here are all treated with compassion, respect, and sensitivity. It gives me hope for us all. |
This has been such an interesting discussion and I have learned a lot. (Given that I started with not much information, there was a lot I needed to learn!) This article on the Abenaki, to go with issybird's interesting photographs, is a case in point. There are times when you have to ask yourself just which group is supposed to be the "savages". At the same time, the fear and the need to lash out at any perceived and/or real threat is understandable on the part of the settlers.
Sounds as if it may be time for your community to put up a second plaque issybird, to try to balance the record a bit! We have instances of that here in Oz, where a second, more recent plaque has been placed, often by a Reconciliation group.