Professor Sonja Thomas’ presentation of Indians on the Reservation: Missionary Priests from India and Catholic Settler Colonialism was a very eye-opening lecture. In modern day news and classes, you don’t hear much about what goes on, on Indian reservations let alone the violence that is brought upon by the Catholic Church. But Professor Thomas was able to carefully articulate and force me to think about colonial history, Catholicism in rural Montana, and the migration of priests from India to this region. Which is why I looked more into the history of Native American abuse, Professor Thomas explained.
On May 4, 1493, the Papal Bull issued by Pope Alexander stated that any land inhabited by Christians was available to be “discovered”, claimed, and exploited by Christian rulers and declared that “the Catholic faith and the Christian religion be exalted and be everywhere increased and spread, that the health of souls be cared for and that barbarous nations be overthrown and brought to the faith itself. ” This Doctrine of Discovery set the framework that sanctioned the displacement and abuse of Native Americans, allowed treaty violations, and supported the United States in the disrespect and genocide of Native Americans. In the name of religious expansions, colonial settlers felt empowered enough to perpetuate violence against Native Americans. Throughout history, Native Americans have been disenfranchised and abused. With even more modern examples of the boys from the Covington Catholic school, who so confidently and openly disrespected Native Americans through heir racist and offensive statements. Native Americans have never been treated properly in the United States even till this day. Forced to endure constant beratement and abuse.
On July 5, 2018, Donald Trump gave a speech in Great Falls where he used the name “Pocahontas” as a way to express his displeasure of Senator Warren’s claims of being Indian. This type of racists and bigoted language that reduces a real cultural figure to a stereotype is often done to disparage American Indians. American Indians have the highest rate of suicide in Montana, and that is most likely linked to the negative effects this type of racism has on children academic and social development, self-esteem, and personal feelings of efficacy. Thankfully generations of Indian and non-Indian people have been working tirelessly to foster historical and cultural awareness in Montana and are not afraid to call out and denounce racially bigoted language such as Trump’s. The only way we can rectify past mistakes without acknowledging our past and working to make amends in the present.
In the questions part of the lecture, the idea of personal blind spots was brought up and solutions on how to combat them. I personally feel that I have a blind spot when it comes to the problems of Native Americans because it is so rarely brought up in mass media or even talked about in my personal circles. I feel like to overcome this, I should be more active to expand the topics and issues I am exposing myself to when it comes to issues in the United States, and reflect on how I can contribute to the fight even though I am not being directly hurt. But after explore more of the topics Professor Thomas introduced, I believe I have gained new insight on the topic.