September, 2002

Native American Contributions to American Culture

Native Americans have made substantial contributions to America and American culture. Here are three examples of how they've influenced our lives:

American Democracy. Our system of democracy came from a suggestion from Native Peoples to colonials. Ben Franklin, a Colonial Commissioner from Pennsylvania, was among the colonists who met with the Iroquois Chiefs to forge an agreement for tribal/colonial relations.
The Chiefs told Franklin that it was difficult to make treaties with each state on an individual basis. They suggested the colonists form a central council to negotiate with the Indian nations, but also retain their own state constitutions. 
Franklin drafted a proposal—which became known as the Albany Plan—based on this suggestion. The Plan was later used as a foundation for the Articles of Confederation, and the American Federal system.

The Three Sisters. Native Americans were expert farmers, and showed colonists how to cultivate beans, corn, and squash in an economical manner. The corn grew tall, beans grew up and over the corn stalks, and squash grew under the corn as a ground cover and kept weeds down.
This method of farming was called the "Three Sisters," and these crops helped the new colonists survive the first few winters. Native Americans also introduced colonists to potatoes and chocolate. Both foodstuffs were imported to Europe and gained widespread acceptance.

Code Talkers. Native Americans played a key role in our victory in World War II. Over 400 Navajo Indians were enlisted to act as "Code Talkers." These soldiers used the Navajo language to create a communications code that was virtually unbreakable by the Japanese.

Copyright © 2002 K. L. Siletti

• Budd Lake Pow Wow Set for September 20-21-22.
  The Tenth annual "Return on the Indian Spirit will be held at Vasa Park, Budd Lake, New Jersey. Traditional dancing, crafts, wildlife exhibits, native foods, and more.
• An Interview with Native American Beverly Friend.
  Native American (and native New Jerseyan) Beverly Friend talks about the Pow Wow experience and what we can all learn by attending.