The Joe Rogan Experience #2058 - Elliott West
Nov 7, 2023
In this conversation, historian Elliott West, an author and professor specializing in the American West, delves into the often overlooked narratives of Native American history. He discusses the cultural exchanges between Native Americans and Europeans, the devastating effects of colonization, and the transformative impact of the horse on Indigenous life. West also highlights the complex dynamics of Native tribes during the Gold Rush and the brutal legacy of boarding schools. His insights challenge romanticized views of westward expansion, emphasizing the resilience of Native cultures.
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Native Americans in France
- Joe Rogan notes that Native Americans traveled to France and met the king a century before Lewis and Clark's expedition.
- Elliott West confirms this, citing a group from Kansas and Missouri in the 1720s.
Bourgmont's Delegation
- Elliott West describes Etienne Bourgmont's efforts to expand the French fur trade, including bringing a Native American delegation to France.
- These Native Americans visited King Louis XV, the Paris Opera, and even hunted in royal woods.
Complex Early Contact
- Elliott West emphasizes the complexity of early contact between Europeans and Native Americans.
- He points out that Native Americans were often more sophisticated and well-traveled than commonly assumed.
