‘Cover Stories’ Archives
Liberty and Justice for all?
HAPPY BIRTHDAY, AMERICA! I pledge allegiance to the flag of the United States of America, and to the republic for which it stands, one nation, under God, indivisible, with liberty and justice for all! Once again, on America”'s 4th of July Birthday, we are reminded that some Minnesotans have been in the forefront of efforts to ensure “liberty and justice for all.” For example, there were many early leaders of the movement to abolish slavery right here in Minneapolis. Paul Hawken reminds us that, “abolitionists were the first people to create a national movement to defend the rights of those they did not know. Until that time no group had filed a grievance except on behalf of itself. The founders of this movement were largely unknown”¦and their goal was ridiculous on the face of it: at that time three out of four people in the world were enslaved.” And yet there were people right here in Minnesota that we did know who had been denied “liberty [...]
Elders met where Rivers meet Genesis and Genocide are Whitewashed
Have you ever wondered why Hiawatha and Minnehaha Avenues run counter to the north/south grid system of most streets? It”'s because those roadways were originally entrenched trails between major water sources--the falls of rivers and creeks--- made by the indigenous people and animals long before the imposition of a European geometric grid street system. The same is true of Hennepin Avenue from river falls to the lakes southwest. This part of our history is “marked” indelibly in the landscape. Other parts of our history are written. And there are parts of our history that are passed on from person to person, decade to decade as oral tradition. Some oral history is remembered within rhythm having been made into song with music. Here are excerpts from an article in the StarTribune by Nick Coleman, June 6 column, “Fort Snelling: State”'s cradle -- and stain” suggested that the Minnesota Historical Society has neglected to tell [...]
“Liberty and justice for all” demands history of all
By Jim Graham Yes, we SHOULD look in depth at the history of Ft. Snelling. And then pray no one ever comes to “Re-Develop” us, our culture, and our children. Another advocate of unrevised history recently said, “What I learned from that experience with the state-hired historians, is that their information is hugely biased and not to be trusted, particularly when it comes to delineating the history of a mostly vanquished people who lived entirely in an oral tradition.” At an open house to receive “Public Input” a United States Park Service representative was quite aggressive in his assertion that their was NO history of the Cold Water Springs. (The sacred area near Minnehaha Falls that was violated during the routing of the Light Rail Transit and rerouting of Hiawatha Avenue in spite of disagreement and protest.) area having any documented religious significance for the Mdewakanton Dakota people. (more…)
