Some history for you as another U.S. holiday approaches - at the advent of the confinement of Native people to reservations in the U.S., part of assimilation policies imposed upon us included the outlawing of our social and religious gatherings. The Religious Crimes Code of 1883

prohibited gatherings like Sun Dances, the Ghost Dance, and really any large gathering in general.

Side note: my grandpa James was born in/around 1882 - this ain’t ancient history

At any rate, being a social and trading people, this was devastating to Tribes, and intended to

assimilate us. Further, gatherings of Natives were obviously seen as threats, therefore our belief systems were made illegal (note that white folx came here seeking religious freedom, and subsequently outlawed OUR beliefs - but I digress...)

Anyway - the 4th of July was seen as

an opportunity, which Naive people seized upon, to gather. Tribal leaders appealed to Indian Agents to allow for “celebrations” on or around the 4th, simply as a means to come together. Agents and Federal officials thought it an opportunity to further assimilation, it being

a holiday celebrating patriotism, so gatherings were allowed. When really, all we wanted to do, was get together, see each other, be together as family and social groups.

THUS - there continues to be, to this day, large celebrations, powwows, events observed throughout

Native communities on the 4th of July.

For us, it wasn’t about any celebration of the colonizer’s impositions. It was about being together, like anyone would want to be.