Playing Indian | Episode 2

Did you know that when colonists threw tea into the Boston Harbor
they dressed up like Native Americans? Rebecca goes to Boston
with historian Phil Deloria (Dakota descent) to try and
understand Americans’ obsession with playing Indian. In the early
republic, pretending to be Indian symbolized freedom and helped
the colonists form a new, national identity. From boyscouts, to
new agers, to sports fans, the American tradition of white people
dressing up like Natives never went away.

Resources:
- Phil Deloria's book Playing Indian is a fantastic resource on
this subject
- Not In Our Honor is working to change the name of Kansas City's
football team


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