The Overlooked History of Native Tribes in America’s Founding

This 4th of July marks the 250th anniversary of the signing of the Declaration of Independence. Although we often remember the American Revolution as driven by anger over taxation and representation, journalist Rebecca Nagle says the country’s founding was also compelled by a hunger for Indigenous land. Nagle is the host of the new podcast First America, which unveils a history of our country’s founding that most Americans never learned. She joins Marisa to talk about how that history shapes the political moment we’re living through today.  But first, Marisa and Guy discuss a filmed confrontation from the weekend in which pro-Palestinian activists ran state Sen. Scott Wiener out of the San Francisco Trans March during Pride weekend. The viral video has become a flashpoint for right-wing critics and is signaling how central Israel and Gaza will be to November’s midterm elections.  Learn more from Rebecca Nagle and the Indigenous scholars featured in First America: Rebecca Nagle’s This Land and book, By the Fire We Carry. Ned Blackhawk’s book The Rediscovery of America and scholarship here. Phil Deloria’s book, Playing Indian and scholarship here. Maggie Blackhawk’s scholarship and publications here. Nick Estes hosts The Red Nation Podcast and scholarship here. Additional resources available in the show notes of each episode on First America. Check out ⁠⁠⁠⁠Political Breakdown’s weekly newsletter⁠⁠⁠⁠, delivered straight to your inbox. Learn more about your ad choices. Visit megaphone.fm/adchoices