Rousseau's concept of "natural man" has nothing to do with this. In fact several of the cultures that were decimated by the Europeans were probably higher cultures than what could be found in much of Europe at the time. The American Indian people were simply too civilized to be able to successfully compete with barbarian Europeans. The Europeans were far more warlike and much better at deceit and subterfuge than the Natives. Not because of the "Noble Savage" myth, but because Indo-European culture had developed the arts of war and political deceit to far higher levels over its two thousand years than any Indian people could conceive of. Remember that same Indo-European culture had decimated the European tribes long before it ever got to the "New World".
How many treaties between nations were broken by Indians? How many were broken by Europeans? No, a better question is if anyone can remember even ONE not being broken by the Europeans. In the 1950's there were signs saying Indians and dogs were not allowed in establishments in Minneapolis. I remember a joke about why Minneapolis Police cars are so fast; because they had one "Engine" in the front and two in the trunk. Does anyone remember one joke about mistreatment of Europeans by Indian people?
Until recently Indian people in Minneapolis suffered a homeless rate of over 25%. If recent immigrants suffered anything approaching that percentage there would be outrage. Yet it is not even a consideration in Minneapolis because that rate is for Indians, and Indian people are by and large not even noticed or considered when looking at housing issues.
Our City of Minneapolis owes a great deal to our rich Indian heritage. The word Nokomis was used for a great deal of time before ever being used by Longfellow. Minneapolis also has another history with Indian people, but unfortunately most of it is dark. Remembering those poor people that were rounded up and kept in concentration camps on their own land while it was being stolen from them to create Minneapolis is, unfortunately, also something we should do.
Indian people are not only "welcoming" people, but forgiving people. The Tokahapi,(first ones) still welcome us to Grandmother's Lake in Minne-apolis. Minneapolis needs to also make those 'First Ones" welcome in their own land. Partnering with those welcoming people to create shelter for the homeless is a good idea. After all, the "First Ones" did it for our homeless grandfathers and grandmothers long ago.
Jim Graham, from the porch steps in Ventura Village
"Many a man has stood all his life, and in crowds, too, and yet never been noticed more than a lamppost. Yes, less than that, for a lamppost must by its nature hold up a lighted face."<
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