We the People Kathleen DuVal on Native Nations
Jan 8, 2026
Award-winning historian Kathleen DuVal shares insights from her upcoming book, exploring a millennium of Native history. She challenges simplistic narratives and emphasizes the sovereignty of Native nations. DuVal discusses significant topics like the rise of urban societies, the impact of climate change, and Native responses to European contact. She highlights collaborative efforts with Indigenous communities and critiques U.S. policies that aimed to erase Native identities while celebrating cultural revitalization and the ongoing significance of Native sovereignty in contemporary America.
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Climate, Collapse, And Political Change
- Climate shifts and resource stress spurred decentralization from large Mississippian cities to smaller, diversified communities.
- New political systems emphasized checks and balance to avoid hierarchical failures in crises.
Mohawks Shaped Colonial Trade
- Mohawks controlled trade at Fort Orange and brought vast furs and purchasing power to the Dutch post.
- Dutch settlers complained Mohawks bought all the white flour and cakes, showing Indigenous economic dominance.
Haudenosaunee Political Model
- The Haudenosaunee Confederacy combined representative councils, female clan selection, and local sovereignty.
- Benjamin Franklin and other founders learned about confederation models from Haudenosaunee diplomats.
