The dark history of Mount Rushmore - Ned Blackhawk and Jeffrey D. Means

TL;DR

Mount Rushmore's creation and history raise questions about Indigenous rights and treaty violations.

Transcript

Between 1927 and 1941, 400 workers blasted 450,000 tons of rock from a mountainside using chisels, jackhammers, and a lot of dynamite. Gradually, they carved out Mount Rushmore. Now, the monument draws nearly 3 million people to South Dakota’s Black Hills every year. But its façade belies a dark history. About 10,000 years ago, Native American peo... Read More

Key Insights

• 🏝️ Mount Rushmore's creation involved the illegal seizure of land from the Sioux Nation and the desecration of a sacred site.
• 🦸 The sculptor, Gutzon Borglum, had ties to the KKK and chose to feature his own heroes on the monument.
• 🥡 The Sioux Nation has refused compensation for the unlawfully taken Black Hills, advocating for the return of their lands.
• ❓ Tribal leaders and descendants of Borglum have varying opinions on the removal or preservation of Mount Rushmore.
• 😀 The broken treaties and land seizure issues related to Mount Rushmore highlight ongoing challenges faced by Indigenous nations in the US.
• 🤨 The controversy surrounding Mount Rushmore raises questions about the honoring of treaties and Indigenous rights.
• 😀 The Supreme Court ruling in favor of the Sioux Nation regarding the Black Hills shows the long-standing legal battles faced by Indigenous communities.

Questions & Answers

Q: How did the US government break treaties with Indigenous nations in the creation of Mount Rushmore?

The US government broke treaties, like the 1868 Treaty at Fort Laramie, by illegally seizing land from the Sioux Nation after the discovery of gold in the Black Hills just seven years after the treaty was ratified.

Q: What were some of the controversial actions taken by Gutzon Borglum in creating Mount Rushmore?

Gutzon Borglum, the sculptor of Mount Rushmore, chose to feature his own heroes over Western figures like Lakota Chief Red Cloud, and he had ties to the KKK, contributing to the monument's controversial history.

Q: What legal action was taken by the Sioux Nation in response to the treaty violations related to the Black Hills?

The Sioux Nation sued the US for treaty violations, leading to a Supreme Court ruling that declared the Black Hills were unlawfully taken, and the Sioux were entitled to compensation, which remains unpaid as the Sioux refuse to accept it.

Q: What are some proposed solutions to the controversy surrounding Mount Rushmore and the Black Hills?

Proposed solutions vary, with some calling for the removal of Mount Rushmore, others suggesting co-management of the Black Hills between the Lakota and the US, and some advocating for the honoring of the 1868 Treaty and return of federally controlled lands to tribal communities.

Summary & Key Takeaways

• Mount Rushmore was carved out of a sacred Native American site in the Black Hills by Gutzon Borglum, with ties to the KKK.

• The monument was created on land illegally seized from the Sioux Nation after a treaty was broken due to the discovery of gold.

• The Lakota people, whose sacred site was desecrated by Mount Rushmore, have long fought for the return of their lands.