Christopher Columbus was Scottish

[Kerr the Walker]

I get a kick out of the term "Native American." I mean, if you were born between 35* W and 170* W, regardless of when, then you're native to the Americas right?

To me the label "First Nations" makes more sense. Doesn't make it sound so much like there was one vast group of people who all identified with one another before the Europeans arrived. Heck, the fought like the dickens some times. Calling them one people would probably have ticked them off just as much as if you called a Scotsman an Englishman during.....well.....pretty much any time.

On the suggestion that Colombus was a Scot...I say let's roll with it. Pretty soon it'll be in the history books! Truth by legend!

(tongue firmly in cheek)

[macwilkin]

I get a kick out of the term "Native American." I mean, if you were born between 35* W and 170* W, regardless of when, then you're native to the Americas right?

To me the label "First Nations" makes more sense. Doesn't make it sound so much like there was one vast group of people who all identified with one another before the Europeans arrived. Heck, the fought like the dickens some times. Calling them one people would probably have ticked them off just as much as if you called a Scotsman an Englishman during.....well.....pretty much any time.

Well said, sir. A lack of political unity was the very reason that the "First Nations" were not able to resist European colonization & American expansion. Goodness knows some leaders like Tecumseh tried, but the various clans and tribes of North America were a lot like their counterparts in the Highlands of Scotland (see Calloway's White People, Indians and Highlanders), and as you pointed out, many of them were all too happy to fight rival groups and use Europeans and Americans to their advantage.

Only in Hollywood and on television is the Indian the passive victim; in reality he was just as human as his European/American opponent.

Regards,

Todd

[Bryan]

Only in Hollywood and on television is the Indian the passive victim; in reality he was just as human as his European/American opponent.

I couldn't have said that better myself.

[Bryan]

A lack of political unity was the very reason that the "First Nations" were not able to resist European colonization & American expansion

The introduction of smallpox, influenza, etc. helped.

[The Barry]

The introduction of smallpox, influenza, etc. helped.

As did the whole "superior armaments" thing that the Europeans had going for them.

[macwilkin]

As did the whole "superior armaments" thing that the Europeans had going for them.

Yes and no. Remember that Native Americans quickly realised that Europeans could prove to be very important allies in tribal conflicts, and soon made alliances with them in hopes that the latter would be able to defeat enemies -- witness the willingness of a number of tribes in the central valley of Mexico who were all too happy to see Cortes and his men and help them defeat the Aztecs.

Regards,

Todd

[macwilkin]

The introduction of smallpox, influenza, etc. helped.

Good point, Bryan.

Todd

[Bugbear]

Well said, sir. A lack of political unity was the very reason that the "First Nations" were not able to resist European colonization & American expansion. Goodness knows some leaders like Tecumseh tried, but the various clans and tribes of North America were a lot like their counterparts in the Highlands of Scotland (see Calloway's White People, Indians and Highlanders), and as you pointed out, many of them were all too happy to fight rival groups and use Europeans and Americans to their advantage.

Only in Hollywood and on television is the Indian the passive victim; in reality he was just as human as his European/American opponent.

Regards,

Todd

Did not some of the tribes also influence the construction or fabric of our own government etc, or is that a myth. One tribe with a written constatution comes to mind...

On a different note, we all have or belong to one subculture or another, and it is interesting to look up that subculture's history in Scotland. Kind of like "my people's" history in Scotland.

[macwilkin]

Did not some of the tribes also influence the construction or fabric of our own government etc, or is that a myth. One tribe with a written constatution comes to mind...

On a different note, we all have or belong to one subculture or another, and it is interesting to look up that subculture's history in Scotland. Kind of like "my people's" history in Scotland.

Ted,

Perhaps you are thinking of the Cherokee Nation, which had its own written constitution, adopted in 1827?

Ironically, the Principal Chief of the Cherokee during the infamous Trail of Tears was John Ross, who was 7/8ths Scottish in heritage. After removal to the IT (modern-day OK), Ross collected funds to be sent to famine victims in Scotland, saying that the Cherokees and Scots had a strong relationship -- the aforementioned Szaz documents this story in Scots in the North American West.

Regards,

Todd

[Bugbear]

Ted,

Perhaps you are thinking of the Cherokee Nation, which had its own written constitution, adopted in 1827?

Ironically, the Principal Chief of the Cherokee during the infamous Trail of Tears was John Ross, who was 7/8ths Scottish in heritage. After removal to the IT (modern-day OK), Ross collected funds to be sent to famine victims in Scotland, saying that the Cherokees and Scots had a strong relationship -- the aforementioned Szaz documents this story in Scots in the North American West.

Regards,

Todd

No, much, much earlier, but that is interesting too.

I think I was thinking about the Iroquois, but I can't recall where I read about it. Someone's signature here on the forum triggered a memory about it the other day.