The "adopted by natives" is a curious thing in contemporary thinking about our frontier days.
I confess I've always been a little bothered by the romantization of it, as the line between "adopted into the tribe" and "kidnapped and enslaved" seems kind of muddy in a lot of these stories. Especially when you know her captors murdered her family, keeping just the pretty girl as a captive.
On the other hand, Andy Jackson wiped out native villages, and adopted a native son.
People are weird. Mercilessly cruel one moment, adopting and nurturing the next.
I think too that we must be careful not to bunch all natives into one catagory. They were individuals like us. Some good, some indifferent and some not so good. I recall reading about babies being dashed against trees to kill them, and you are right, it is hard to get a handle on sometimes. Keith.
I imagine that Mary Jemison's experience with the Seneca was a good one and that's why she lived amongst the Seneca throughout most of her life.
On Mary Jemison, i wrote a related article on her life and experiences: http://hubpages.com/education/Mary-Jemison-Dehgewanus-White-Woman-of-the-Genesee
The "adopted by natives" is a curious thing in contemporary thinking about our frontier days.
ReplyDeleteI confess I've always been a little bothered by the romantization of it, as the line between "adopted into the tribe" and "kidnapped and enslaved" seems kind of muddy in a lot of these stories. Especially when you know her captors murdered her family, keeping just the pretty girl as a captive.
On the other hand, Andy Jackson wiped out native villages, and adopted a native son.
People are weird. Mercilessly cruel one moment, adopting and nurturing the next.
I think too that we must be careful not to bunch all natives into one catagory. They were individuals like us. Some good, some indifferent and some not so good. I recall reading about babies being dashed against trees to kill them, and you are right, it is hard to get a handle on sometimes.
ReplyDeleteKeith.
I imagine that Mary Jemison's experience with the Seneca was a good one and that's why she lived amongst the Seneca throughout most of her life.
ReplyDeleteOn Mary Jemison, i wrote a related article on her life and experiences: http://hubpages.com/education/Mary-Jemison-Dehgewanus-White-Woman-of-the-Genesee
How do I purchase this print?
ReplyDeleteMeliss, the link to the gallery is under the painting image.
ReplyDeleteRegards, Keith.