What Your History Teacher’s Not Telling You

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History classes are educational, but often decades are summed up in 30 minutes and generations are defined by one battle. PBS’ documentary We Shall Remain, which is available online, presents American history from the perspective of Native Americans. It tells stories that you might not learn in a classroom and you may find the DVD version at your local library along with other fun materials.

Episode 1: After the Mayflower

Common Knowledge: The first Thanksgiving in the summer of 1621 in Massachusetts is well known in American history as the first time the Pilgrims and American Indians befriended each other.

More to the Story:
The Wampanoag tribe and the Pilgrims were both in need of allies. The American Indians helped the Pilgrims adapt to the strange land, making them the first favored ally to the English colonies. But around 1630, a mass immigration bloated the European population from 300 to 20,000. This increased the Pilgrims’ sense of power, reducing the need for an alliance with American Indians. Eventually, many villages were burned, and 2,000 English colonists and 5,000 American Indians were killed during battle.

Find out more by watching the episode online or check the DVD out at your local library.

Episode 2: Tecumseh’s Vision

Common Knowledge: Tecumseh is the Shawnee Indian, military genius and hero who fought for the Indian/British side in the War of 1812. “For some people, they may call him a troublemaker,” says Sherman Tiger, of the Absentee Shawnee Tribe of Oklahoma, in the documentary. “That’s because, in the end, he lost.”

More to the Story: Sherman Tiger says that if Tecumseh had won, he would have been recognized as a hero. He believes that if the British hadn’t betrayed Tecumseh, the United States might be able to claim only half of its land today.

Find out more by watching the episode online or check the DVD out at your local library.

Episode 3: Trail of Tears

Common Knowledge: In order to open up land for American settlement, American Indians were forcefully relocated out of their Southeastern territory.

More to the Story: The Trail of Tears is one of the darkest smears on American history. Russell G. Townsend, a historic preservationist, refers to it as an “ethnic cleansing.” Although the Cherokee nation was recognized by the Supreme Court and had its own territory with distinct boundaries, President Andrew Jackson openly defied the decision and told the state of Georgia to “light a fire under [the Cherokees]. They’ll move.”

Find out more by watching the episode online or check the DVD out at your local library.

Episode 4: Geronimo

Common Knowledge: Geronimo was the Chiricahua Apache leader who was the last Indian to surrender to the American government.

More to the Story: While on a trading trip with his family in the 1850s, Geronimo’s wife, children and mother were murdered by Mexican soldiers. Geronimo and an army later massacred the soldiers, creating an awe about him as a killing machine who seemed to effortlessly dodge any bullet.

Find out more by watching the episode online or check the DVD out at your local library.

Episode 5: Wounded Knee

Common Knowledge: In 1973, a group of American Indians seized the town of Wounded Knee, South Dakota, to protest the unfair treatment of Native Americans.

More to the Story: More than 200 members from the American Indian Movement drove from Pine Ridge Reservation to Wounded Knee, the site of the last massacre of the Indian Wars. They claimed they’d hold hostages and seize the land until the American government met a list of their demands. The list included federal investigation into corruption of reservations in South Dakota, immediate Senate hearings on broken treaties with Indian nations, and the immediate dismissal of Dick Wilson, the elected head of tribal government in Pine Ridge. The American Indian Movement wanted Wilson ousted because he was known for discriminating against the traditional Sioux Oglala people.

Find out more by watching the episode online or check the DVD out at your local library.