
Myths & Misconceptions About Native Americans: Ep 3 of Crash Course Native American History
video description
Date: 2025-05-31
Related videos
Comments and reviews: 20
eurodon8532
They did the same with all of the Mexicans. Let the white man build on our lands. There’s more than enough for everyone. But then suddenly land titles and other documents declaring ownership disappeared and was just open for the taking. I don’t know about native Americans but I know my grandfather was related to whom would’ve been referred to as Indios which is Indians in Spanish. I don’t know if my grandfather comes from an established tribe or what but I know there are a lot of Indians in Mexico as well. If you’ve ever read Rain of Gold’ you’ll learn that Americans did the same thing with the natives. They wanted the gold that would be found deposited within mountains and rivers that the natives found sacred.
This is a big reason I’m skeptical to accept the U. S. history as it was taught to me in school. I started to realize that history is subjective and can be written in a way to serve one’s purpose.
reply
They did the same with all of the Mexicans. Let the white man build on our lands. There’s more than enough for everyone. But then suddenly land titles and other documents declaring ownership disappeared and was just open for the taking. I don’t know about native Americans but I know my grandfather was related to whom would’ve been referred to as Indios which is Indians in Spanish. I don’t know if my grandfather comes from an established tribe or what but I know there are a lot of Indians in Mexico as well. If you’ve ever read Rain of Gold’ you’ll learn that Americans did the same thing with the natives. They wanted the gold that would be found deposited within mountains and rivers that the natives found sacred.
This is a big reason I’m skeptical to accept the U. S. history as it was taught to me in school. I started to realize that history is subjective and can be written in a way to serve one’s purpose.
reply
phyphor
I'm English so, at least in theory, there's no reason for me to be educated about the original American population and the Natives that still live across North America. I am still very grateful that this series exists because I do want to learn because I want to understand more about the world and who I share it with, and the early history of the colonisation of North America is part of my country's history that I didn't learn about.
I hope that Crash Course continues to educate and inform across a wide range of subjects and I remain grateful for your work in putting this out.
reply
I'm English so, at least in theory, there's no reason for me to be educated about the original American population and the Natives that still live across North America. I am still very grateful that this series exists because I do want to learn because I want to understand more about the world and who I share it with, and the early history of the colonisation of North America is part of my country's history that I didn't learn about.
I hope that Crash Course continues to educate and inform across a wide range of subjects and I remain grateful for your work in putting this out.
reply
jenniferburns2530
My impression of the Washington football team's former name is it's the same as naming a team the N word or other racial slur, then using stereotyped racial images for the mascot, marketing, and merchandise. How that is supposed to honor anyone defies logic.
I really hope you discuss land acknowledgements in this series. They often sound (to me) like a statement that says these people lived here, then their land was stolen. We feel bad about it, but have no plan to actually do anything beyond this moment.
reply
My impression of the Washington football team's former name is it's the same as naming a team the N word or other racial slur, then using stereotyped racial images for the mascot, marketing, and merchandise. How that is supposed to honor anyone defies logic.
I really hope you discuss land acknowledgements in this series. They often sound (to me) like a statement that says these people lived here, then their land was stolen. We feel bad about it, but have no plan to actually do anything beyond this moment.
reply
bizmen81
Former Washington Commanders owner, Dan Sneider was a terrible person for many other reasons too. But he made a fake survey to say that Native Peoples actually liked the old name.
Also for the KC team, I know that most broadcasters ignore the tomahawk chop, hoping that it would go away or not bring attention to it (it doesn't.
Also U. of North Dakota used to be the Fighting Sioux but they changed that. But it was hard since their hockey team was the hockey equivalent of Alabama in terms of wins.
reply
Former Washington Commanders owner, Dan Sneider was a terrible person for many other reasons too. But he made a fake survey to say that Native Peoples actually liked the old name.
Also for the KC team, I know that most broadcasters ignore the tomahawk chop, hoping that it would go away or not bring attention to it (it doesn't.
Also U. of North Dakota used to be the Fighting Sioux but they changed that. But it was hard since their hockey team was the hockey equivalent of Alabama in terms of wins.
reply
onbedoeldekut1515
Lacroix, the French name, is pronounced La crwah.
Yeah, it's a bit of a tongue-twister, which is why lazy Americans bastardised it to La croy.
I'm sure you agree, names are important.
My father's family were forced by the British government to spell our name differently because they couldn't pronounce Suibhne properly.
I reclaimed it.
I'm sure similar happened to first nation peoples by the invading easterners.
reply
Lacroix, the French name, is pronounced La crwah.
Yeah, it's a bit of a tongue-twister, which is why lazy Americans bastardised it to La croy.
I'm sure you agree, names are important.
My father's family were forced by the British government to spell our name differently because they couldn't pronounce Suibhne properly.
I reclaimed it.
I'm sure similar happened to first nation peoples by the invading easterners.
reply
JaimeNyx15
The prevalence of the Native Americans are wiped out myth is genuinely disgusting. When a native friend of mine had to take a gender and diversity studies course in uni, a white student lamented in class discussion that it sure was a shame that native americans were wiped out, and the professor backed that up. My friend put them in their place by pointing out that he does, in fact, exist.
reply
The prevalence of the Native Americans are wiped out myth is genuinely disgusting. When a native friend of mine had to take a gender and diversity studies course in uni, a white student lamented in class discussion that it sure was a shame that native americans were wiped out, and the professor backed that up. My friend put them in their place by pointing out that he does, in fact, exist.
reply
jonmiller6787
Fun fact: because it was illegal for British colonies to sell guns to indigenous people during King Philip's war, indigenous Americans turned to French merchants to arm themselves. French arms were considered vastly superior to British arms at the time, so the Native Americans were actually the ones with more technologically advanced weapons
reply
Fun fact: because it was illegal for British colonies to sell guns to indigenous people during King Philip's war, indigenous Americans turned to French merchants to arm themselves. French arms were considered vastly superior to British arms at the time, so the Native Americans were actually the ones with more technologically advanced weapons
reply
MidnightArticuno
There's two other major sports mascots that still need changed (Chicago hockey and Florida State University) and everywhere I look for information on those mascots is buffeted by a wall of WELL ACTUALLY-- reasoning for why it's not racist. Especially when FSU also uses a chop and a war chant during games as well.
reply
There's two other major sports mascots that still need changed (Chicago hockey and Florida State University) and everywhere I look for information on those mascots is buffeted by a wall of WELL ACTUALLY-- reasoning for why it's not racist. Especially when FSU also uses a chop and a war chant during games as well.
reply
StephySon
Born and raised in Long Island, NY. My school was the Brentwood Indians and even as a graduation class of 2011 I knew how problematic that was especially with the logos and symbolism. NY state finally made it law that all schools that do the have to change their name and logos. They are now the Brentwood Spartans haha
reply
Born and raised in Long Island, NY. My school was the Brentwood Indians and even as a graduation class of 2011 I knew how problematic that was especially with the logos and symbolism. NY state finally made it law that all schools that do the have to change their name and logos. They are now the Brentwood Spartans haha
reply
FleaRHCP97
Very educational!
One myth (I think) I've always heard is that when Native Americans get very old, they'll simply leave and go off to die alone, so as not to become a burden to everyone else. As I said, I'm pretty sure this is a myth, but do you know how it might've started Thanks!
reply
Very educational!
One myth (I think) I've always heard is that when Native Americans get very old, they'll simply leave and go off to die alone, so as not to become a burden to everyone else. As I said, I'm pretty sure this is a myth, but do you know how it might've started Thanks!
reply
InvasiveWargaming
Fantastic episode. Much of crash course covers topics that are often at least tangentially (or poorly) addressed in American high schools. Problematically, this one does not. This course should be required viewing. Keep up the great work, excited for the full course to drop.
reply
Fantastic episode. Much of crash course covers topics that are often at least tangentially (or poorly) addressed in American high schools. Problematically, this one does not. This course should be required viewing. Keep up the great work, excited for the full course to drop.
reply
chuckmeriam9930
Growing up in Ohio with public education and scores of schools with terrible mascots, it was quite the eye opener as an adult to learn about how much of the state and national history was whitewashed, sugar-coated, or left out. Thanks for helping improve education!
reply
Growing up in Ohio with public education and scores of schools with terrible mascots, it was quite the eye opener as an adult to learn about how much of the state and national history was whitewashed, sugar-coated, or left out. Thanks for helping improve education!
reply
dynomar11
The Washington football team is bad, but I'd almost argue the Chiefs are worse because they're good at football so nobody says anything about the fact that they chant during the middle of games. And they have a big drum and a headdress and everything.
reply
The Washington football team is bad, but I'd almost argue the Chiefs are worse because they're good at football so nobody says anything about the fact that they chant during the middle of games. And they have a big drum and a headdress and everything.
reply
cholten99
This series is excellent. It'd be fascinating to know how much it gets used in classrooms across the various states. Also, I'd really love to know what role the humor advisor in the credits plays in helping put the show together!
reply
This series is excellent. It'd be fascinating to know how much it gets used in classrooms across the various states. Also, I'd really love to know what role the humor advisor in the credits plays in helping put the show together!
reply
MissHadleyHistory
Thank you for sharing your history and culture! As a history teacher I always strive to represent other cultures and people for my students to better understand. I will definitely use this to help my students!
reply
Thank you for sharing your history and culture! As a history teacher I always strive to represent other cultures and people for my students to better understand. I will definitely use this to help my students!
reply
crash_course
Thank you for another informative video. As someone who is not native but trying to learn, what are your thoughts on Florida State being called The Seminoles I have heard they have close ties to the Sminole tribe.
reply
Thank you for another informative video. As someone who is not native but trying to learn, what are your thoughts on Florida State being called The Seminoles I have heard they have close ties to the Sminole tribe.
reply
GrassesOn97
I remember from the Washington Red Skins controversy someone had made a shirt with a Caucasian male with blonde hair, blue eyes, and a logo that said White Skins. I couldn’t help but think I’d buy that shirt
reply
I remember from the Washington Red Skins controversy someone had made a shirt with a Caucasian male with blonde hair, blue eyes, and a logo that said White Skins. I couldn’t help but think I’d buy that shirt
reply
veldabigknife7109
I. feel bad that I've never noticed until right now that a lot of portrayals of 'traditional' pictures of First Nations People generally show them kneeling or otherwise 'below' the Whites in the pictures.
reply
I. feel bad that I've never noticed until right now that a lot of portrayals of 'traditional' pictures of First Nations People generally show them kneeling or otherwise 'below' the Whites in the pictures.
reply
angelango75
I’ve been really enjoying watching these videos for my own education and it makes me even happier knowing that this can now be used in classrooms for generations to come. Thank you Crash Course
reply
I’ve been really enjoying watching these videos for my own education and it makes me even happier knowing that this can now be used in classrooms for generations to come. Thank you Crash Course
reply
crash_course
This has been such a great addition to the Crash Course, uh, courses. Same consistency and level of quality, but with a lot of personality that makes it unique. Y'all have done a great job
reply
This has been such a great addition to the Crash Course, uh, courses. Same consistency and level of quality, but with a lot of personality that makes it unique. Y'all have done a great job
reply
Add a review, comment
Other channel videos















