Dr. Gregory d. Smithers, an associate professor of history at virginia commonwealth university, specializes in native American History. Else the author of several books including an indigenous history of migration, resettlement and identity about which greg spoke here a few years ago. And his newest book and the subject of todays lecture native southerners indigenous history from origins of removal. Please give a warm welcome to our guest speaker, greg smithers. [ applause ] let me first begin by acknowledging the traditional landowners of this region, members of the powatan chiefdom and the chickahawpee people. Thank you to those who organized this. Its much appreciated and its lovely to be back here at the Virginia Museum of history and culture. I hope i got that right. Im going to begin today by talking just a little bit about the artwork on the cover of my new book. This is a piece by chief terry saul. Hes was hes passed, now hes walked on. Chief terry saul was chickasaw and chokta
We are standing in the central gallery of the museum of the American Indians latest exhibition. Her that premises that a most American People today feel they have very little to do with native americans, and native americans have virtually nothing to do with them or their lives. We believe the exact opposite is true. The Natural Museum of the American Indian is examining the nature of nonnative americans relationship with native americans. And we do this through a prism of the national paradox. The paradox is American Indians constitute a one to 2 of the u. S. Population, yet everywhere you look you see imagery of American Indians. Its also found on state and county seals. It is found in u. S. Military insignia. It is found on architectural elements, buildings and bridges. Its everywhere you look in american life. Whether it was people that came over on the mayflower or indeed a recent immigrant, one recognizes this imagery as part and parcel of american life. We wanted to begin our ex
The American Indians latest exhibition, americans. The premise is that most American People today feel they have very little to do with native americans, and native americans have virtually nothing to do with them or their lives. And we believe that the exact opposite is true. So in this exhibition, the Natural Museum of the American Indian is examining the nature of nonnative americans relationship with native americans. And we do this through a prism of the national paradox. Thats the reduction is one that is very familiar to americans whether they are native or not. The paradox is American Indians constitute 1 to 2 of the u. S. Population, yet everywhere you look, you see imagery of American Indians. This imagery is found not only in advertising, Product Design and corporate logos. It is also found on state and county seals. It is found in u. S. Military insignia. It is found in motel and storefront signage on , architectural elements, of buildings and bridges. It is found in people
Present arms. [National Anthem] oh say can you see by the dawns early light. What so proudly we hailed at the twilights last gleaming whose broad stripes and bright stars through the perilous fight ore the ramparts we watched were so gallantly streaming and the rockets red glare the bombs bursting in air gave proof through the night that our flag was still there oh say does that starspangled banner yet wave oer the land of the free and the home of the brave [applause] ladies and gentlemen, please welcome to the stage, Senate Chaplain barry c. Black. Chaplain black let us pray. God of our weary years and silent tears, you have brought us on this providential pilgrimage. Help us to keep our eyes on you and the prize. Thank you for this opportunity to recognize the historical importance of the arrival of africans to the shores in 1619. Lord, we are grateful for the strength you provided your ebony children, infusing them with a faith that wouldnt shrink, though pressed by many of foe. The
Forward, halt. Oh say can you see oh say can you see by the dawns early light what so proudly we hailed at the twilights last gleaming whose broad stripes and bright stars through the perilous fight oer the ramparts we watched were so gallantly streaming and the rockets red glare the bombs bursting in air gave proof through the night that our flag was still there oh say does that starspangled banner yet wave oer the land of the free and the home of the brave [applause] ladies and gentlemen, please welcome to the stage, chaplain barry c. Chaplain black. Chaplain black let us pray. God of our weary years and silent tears, you have brought us on this providential pilgrimage. Help us to keep our eyes on you and the prize. Thank you for this opportunity to recognize the historical importance of the arrival of africans to the shores in 1619. Lord, we are grateful for the strength you provided your ebony children, infusing them with a faith that wouldnt shrink, though pressed by many. Many a