500 Years of Indigenous Resistance
reprinted from Oh-Toh-Kin, Vol. 1 No. 1, Winter/Spring 1992
This article is intended as a basic history of the colonization of the Americas since 1492, and the Indigenous resistance to this colonization continuing into 1992. The author admits to not having a full understanding of the traditions of his own people, the Kwakiutl (Kwakwaka'wakw); as such the article lacks an analysis based in an authentic Indigenous philosophy and is instead more of a historical chronology.
Numbers in brackets indicate footnotes, fully documented at the end of this article.
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"...In the early 1900s, the population of Native peoples in North America had reached their lowest point. In the US alone this population had declined to some 250,000. As in Canada, Native peoples had been consigned to largely desolate land areas and the process of assimilation began through government agencies such as the Bureau of Indian Affairs. Here too, residential schools, criminalization of Native cultures, and control of political and economic systems were the instruments used..."
"...resistance to this assimilation continued in various forms: potlatches and sun-dances were continued in clandestinity and the elected band councils opposed. As well, Native peoples began forming organizations to work against government polices..."
- Download the Honor Tax Form.
- Send the form along with your tax payment to:
The Wiyot Tribe
1000 Wiyot Dr.
Loleta, CA. 95551
We have no events coming up but some suggested times of year to pay your tax are:
*Duluwat Island / Indian Island Massacre - February 26
These are some suggestions but you can pay your tax any time.
“I Participate in the Wiyot Honor Tax as a way of direct reparation to the People on whose land I now live.”
-Paul Pitino (Arcata Resident)
Former Arcata City Council Member
“As a member of a neighoring Tribal Nation, I have a cultural obligation to acknowledge Wiyot homeland and pay respect to the Wiyot People for living on their traditional territories. The Honor Tax provides a way to fulfill my responsibilities as a Yurok person.”
-Christopher Peters (Yurok/Pohlik-lah)President, Seventh Generation Fund
“The Honor Tax is small compensation for the grief and loss the Wiyot people have suffered. We feel honored by the
graciousness with which they accept our presence here today and by this opportunity to contribute.”
-Dana Silvernale (Blue Lake Resident)
County Council Chair, Green Party of Humboldt County
“Our organization pays the tax because we have a commitment to justice and to honoring the sovereignty of native peoples and nations.”
-Kaitlin Sopoci-Belknap (Eureka Resident) Director, Democracy Unlimited of Humboldt County