The American Revolution wrested control of the Colonists’ lives from the oligarchy of the British Empire.  It was the first step in a long and difficult process that is still evolving today.  Not every person in the colonies agreed with the changes involved.  Some had vested interests in the old scheme of things that provided unbalanced access to power and profits.  Under the circumstances they were obliged to keep quiet and pretend allegiance to the cause of the victors. They never left. They and their indoctrinated progeny have always worked secretly to gain back control and rid the world of this “infection” called democracy.

The unconditional surrender of the British Empire provided the colonists with great relief from egregious burdens.  It also offered unprecedented opportunities for establishing a far more equitable system of governance.  However, there were no visible examples on the world scene from which to compose a new system based on democratic principles.  Lack of creative alternatives had resulted in previous revolutions being followed by more of the same old tactics that were employed by an oppressive monarchy or fascism.  There was a severe shortage of ideas and plans for a new government “of the people, by the people, and for the people.”  Under strong pressure to move quickly and surely, the Founding Fathers of our new republic searched the world over for the information they needed.  They consulted with current leaders of revolutions that were struggling and learning from troublesome experience. They were unusually receptive to creative thinking and evidence from sources outside the norm.

The original Colonists had positive interactions with the indigenous natives of North America.  Their wisdom about ways to survive under trying conditions in the uncharted woodlands was accepted and much appreciated.  Our heartwarming legend of the first Thanksgiving gives testimony to the friendly relations prevailing at the time.  At first, many of the pilgrims realized they were unsolicited guests in a land that belonged to others who had lived there for many generations. The early pilgrims acknowledged this reality and found positive ways to get along with their hosts.  Sharing cultures was prolific. Intermarriage was frequent.  Wise and respected native leaders were included in discussions of conflicts and common problems arising from intercultural differences.  Life in the New World seemed to be well in hand.  Then, the almost forgotten few who secretly yearned to exploit native resources for their personal profit and power gained enough strength to influence pliant office holders in the new government.  Steps were then taken to exclude the Indians from meaningful recognition and participation.

Before that terrible alteration of relationships between the native population and the struggling government, the ongoing search for ideas to help create a truly democratic government resulted in a profound discovery.  The new leaders found that a successful democracy was already at work in the northeastern woodlands of the indigenous Iroquois nation.  In her seminal book, Manual for the Peacemaker: An Iroquois Legend to Heal Self & Society, (Quest Books, 1995) Jean Houston describes the ideas and practices that were incorporated into the design for the new government of the United States of America.  Here are some excerpts from her book:

Together they [the Native Iroquois] created a peaceful democracy among the five tribes of Native peoples in the northeastern woodlands, a true democracy that lasted hundreds of years and is still, to a remarkable extent in force today.

I believe that Deganawah [their revered leader] deserves to be as well known as the other originators of people-centered government.  He helped establish a complex and comprehensive democracy in America long before the Colonists arrived.  Proofs of this achievement and stories about him were carried back to Europe by the earliest settlers, soldiers, traders, and missionary priests, and these stories influenced many of the seminal thinkers of England and France who promoted the ideals of a democratic society.

Thus the great ideas and models of democracy began in America with the Native populations, crossed the Atlantic to simmer in Europe, and were reimported back to these shores to inform and encourage the Founding Fathers.

It was Benjamin Franklin who did more than anyone else to promote the genius of the Iroquois League and recommend the adoption of many of its practices.

Franklin himself never stopped talking and writing about the Iroquois League and the great benefit that would come to any burgeoning democracy by following its principles.  His persuasive influence on Thomas Jefferson, James Madison, John Adams, and other framers of the Constitution was considerable, as it was also on his friends and devotees in France, some of which were inspired to consider an end to the monarchy there and the creation of a new republic along principles inspired by the Iroquois.

Despite the seminal and fundamental contributions of Indigenous North Americans to formation of a new government that was for a time the hope of the world, the greedy and power hungry elements of the vulnerable new society conspired to shut off the influence of the “savages” and confiscate their lands.  Various Presidents succumbed to the siren song of proposed riches and influence to authorize forced evacuations, seizing of assets, death by stealthily induced diseases, confiscation of native children “to civilize them,”  forbidding the use of native languages, and exclusion from any meaningful role in affairs of state (except when they desperately needed the Navajo Code Talkers to save the country in WWII). These forces, so well personified by the current GOP Presidential candidate, Donald Trump, have succeeded in bringing our precious democracy to the brink of collapse.  They have also been a cancer on the genius governance creations of the Indigenous peoples who so profoundly influenced the enlightened men who became our Founding Fathers.

The current interest in recognizing and supporting Indigenous Americans is more than appropriate.  It is long overdue. We can’t change the terrible things that have been done to them by the greedy profit and power seekers that have not only stolen from them but from all of us.  We need the beauty and genius of our Native brothers and sisters in our lives.  We are sorely diminished when we don’t have a healthy relationship with them.  Our ancestors were either brought to North America by force or immigrated here to seek a better life, away from the bad conditions of life under a variety of despots.  For a time they enjoyed the grand fruits of personal freedom and kindred connections with their new neighbors.  Then, the selfish obsessions of a few for unlimited acquisition silently and secretly worked to begin compromising the new inclusive form of government.  Since the time that change of focus was enacted, it has been a long dark night for our Indigenous Americans.  Sadly, it isn’t over yet.

Two major happenings in the United States are currently calling wide attention to the conditions that provide incentive for mistreatment of Native Americans and allows the theft of their resources by amoral corporate monopolies and their deluded minions: (1) the attempt, despite their reasoned protests, to build an oil transport pipeline through their land that will destroy sacred artifacts and pollute their water supply, and (2) the actions and pronouncements of U.S. presidential candidate Donald Trump as he has revealed his fascistic aspirations for “making the country great again.”

Bright lights are increasingly being shined on the secret clubs and devious plans of the corporate oligarchs. The recent disclosures of their secret manipulations to enact a death sentence on our democracy has increased the awareness of many citizens and spurred them to action.  We have begun to realize monopolistic corporate oligarchies and fascism are two virulent strains of the same asocial disease.  By his divisive pronouncements and veiled threats Donald Trump has revealed the evil secret agendas of his exclusive and excluding compatriots. His public use of fear and racism has raised public awareness and spurred increasing numbers to active involvement.  Thus, the stage has been set for a renewal of commitment to the democratic principles of governance created by Indigenous Americans and freely gifted to the inspired founders of our new republic. Whether this promising move toward healthy renewal prevails will depend on what we do about what we understand as our awareness is uplifted.