Convening tribal descendants to unveil oral histories of Ft. Marion POW to revisit scholarship with curators and researchers.

FAIN: RZ-300393-24

University of Oklahoma (Oklahoma City, OK 73104-3609)
Dolores Subia BigFoot (Project Director: November 2023 to present)

Planning and holding of a three-day convening of tribal leaders, scholars, museum professionals, and descendants of Native American POWs held at Fort Marion from 1875 to 1878 to discuss the material and oral traditions that emerged from the POW experience. (12 months)

This convening will be a gathering of collaboratives including scholars, independent historians and researchers, plus descendants of the 72 Prisoners of War taken to Fort Marion, in St. Augustine, Florida in 1875. During the convening, presentations and working groups will share historical accounts while descendants will share oral family stories from the time of incarceration to the present impact of federal Indian policies on the 5 tribal Nations whose members were unjustly held captive. Themes and relational aspects will be pulled from the shared conversations. It is the intent that a manuscript will be developed following the Convening based on the themes and stories shared. (Edited by NEH staff)