Exploring Pocahontas and Native American History Month
By: Jake | November 12, 2007 | Category: Home and Family
November marks American Indian & Alaska Native Heritage Month. In existence since 1990, the goal is to recognize the intertribal
cultures and to educate the public about the heritage, history, art, and traditions
of the American Indian and
Alaska Native people.
The legend of Pocahontas saving Captain John Smith from execution, to me, is one of the most fascinating stories of all time. I think this is because a) I grew up in the Tidewater Virginia area near the site of the Citie of Henricus where Pocahontas met John Rolfe, whom she would eventually marry and b) I find the mystery of what actually happened interesting.
The legend is based on Smith's version of the story, which he recounted back in Great Britain years after the incident. He said that Chief Powhatan's tribe was about to execute him when Powhatan's daughter, Pocahontas, ran in and cradled his head to protect him. Powhatan stopped the execution and the rest is history. While some historians think Smith's story is legit, some assert that what Smith witnessed was a ritual.
Most interesting to me is how some Native American tribes beg to differ. In 1995 an animated version of the Pocahontas legend was released and it motivated the Powhatan Renape Nation to give their take on the legend. The Powhatan Renape Nation says the rescue never happened, and that Smith's earlier accounts of his peaceful stay with the Powhatan Nation contradict his later accounts. They believe that Smith, who was broke later in life, made up the story afterwards to promote himself.
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I hope you will visit my blog and scan all the links and material on Native Americans and resources for Virginia Indians.
Posted by David Richardson on December 02, 2007 at 11:35 PM EST #