#1442 - Shannon Oloughlin

At a Glance

• Indigenous History Overlooked - “How often do we discuss native american history howoften do we discuss the the battles that, the lives that were lost, the people that died from disease, the Trail of Tears?How often is that discussed in this country?” The conversation highlights the importance of remembering and discussing indigenous history, which is often overlooked in mainstream American culture.

• Speed of Human Progress - “The United States was founded in 1776 and people live to be 100. And that’s three people ago. Like we literally just got here.” The conversation emphasizes how quickly human progress has accelerated, with significant technological and societal advancements occurring within a few generations.

• Importance of Preserving Indigenous Voices - “It’s, they haven’t been taught. There’s almost too much to teach and it’s very convenient since,you know, we,air quotes,are the victors.So we kind of can rewrite history or at least make that part of history not important.” The conversation stresses the importance of preserving indigenous voices and experiences, which are often marginalized or erased from mainstream narratives.

• Efforts to Rebuild Capacity - “The Association on American Indian Affairs has been around for a long time. And we are rebuilding our capacity to look into the next hundred years of how we want to move forward.” The conversation highlights the efforts being made by organizations like the Association on American Indian Affairs to rebuild capacity and plan for the future.

• Call to Action - “People who are interested in getting to know more about what’s going on in Indian country or getting involved in helping out. What’s help label where they can go?Indian-affairs.org.” The conversation encourages listeners to take action and get involved, providing a clear call to action and resources for those who want to learn more.

What to Do

• Listen to and teach the stories of marginalized communities - The speaker emphasizes the importance of listening to and teaching the stories of Native American history, which have been overlooked in the public narrative. This highlights the value of engaging with diverse perspectives and experiences.

• Acknowledge and respect the historical impact on indigenous people - The speaker points out that the United States has a complex and often painful history with Native American communities, including forced relocation, disease, and violence. This advice encourages empathy and understanding for the ongoing effects of these historical events.

• Invest time and effort in learning about and supporting marginalized communities - The speaker mentions the Association on American Indian Affairs and invites listeners to learn more and get involved in helping Native American communities. This advice promotes a sense of responsibility and engagement with social justice issues.

• Seek out diverse perspectives and experiences - By sharing their own experience as a comedian who uses humor to highlight historical facts, the speaker encourages listeners to seek out diverse perspectives and experiences. This advice promotes curiosity, empathy, and understanding for different viewpoints.

• Take action and get involved in making positive change - The speaker emphasizes the importance of taking action and getting involved in helping marginalized communities, rather than simply listening or observing. This advice encourages listeners to take an active role in creating positive change.

What to Get

• Daily Journal by Shannon O’Loughlin - Amazon

• The United States Constitution (1776) - To establish the foundation and founding principles of the United States.

• The Trail of Tears (Historical event) - Reason for use: To draw attention to the tragic history of Native Americans and the need for education and awareness.

• Books on Indigenous American Tribes

  • Trail of Tears: The Rise and Fall of the Cherokee Nation by John Ehle - Amazon

  • An American Betrayal: Cherokee Patriots and the Trail of Tears by Daniel Blake Smith - Amazon

  • Bury My Heart at Wounded Knee: An Indian History of the American West by Dee Brown - Amazon

Summary

The podcast episode features a conversation with Shannon, representing the Association on American Indian Affairs. The discussion revolves around the importance of preserving and sharing Native American history and experiences. Shannon highlights how often these stories are overlooked in modern society, despite being an integral part of the country’s narrative.

One of the most striking points made during the conversation is that the United States was founded just three people ago, considering a human lifespan of 100 years. This perspective emphasizes how quickly the country has evolved and how much history has been lost or distorted. Shannon also draws attention to the significance of discussing Native American history, particularly events like the Trail of Tears, which are often overlooked in everyday conversations.

Shannon shares her passion for preserving this history and her efforts to educate people about its importance. She mentions that there are a limited number of people working to push these stories into the public narrative, making their work even more crucial. The conversation also touches on the challenges faced by Shannon and others in sharing Native American history, including the tendency to rewrite or erase it from historical accounts.

Some of the key take aways from the conversation are; Native American history is often overlooked in modern society despite being a vital part of the country’s narrative. The United States was founded relatively recently, considering human lifespans, which emphasizes how quickly the country has evolved and lost history. Preserving and sharing Native American stories are crucial to understanding the country’s past and present. There is a limited number of people working to push these stories into the public narrative, making their work essential.

This conversation highlights the importance of preserving cultural heritage and acknowledging the experiences of marginalized communities. It emphasizes the need for education and awareness about Native American history, which can help bridge gaps between different cultures and foster greater understanding and empathy.