Friday, September 26, 2025 – The Native American history censorship threat at National Parks and other federal institutions

Among the informational signs flagged for review under the Trump administration’s purge of “improper ideology” at National Parks is language at the Sitka National Monument Russian Bishop’s House explaining how missionaries worked to destroy Indigenous cultures and languages in Alaska. A panel at Florida’s Castillo de San Marcos National Monument is being questioned for including text about forced assimilation of imprisoned Native Americans. They are part of the ongoing review of parks, museums, and other institutions for information deemed disparaging to Americans. The review has prompted considerable concern over who is making decisions about how historical events are portrayed and whether Native historians have any input.

GUESTS

Michaela Pavlat (Sault Ste. Marie Tribe of Chippewa Indians), Indigenous partnerships program manager for the National Parks Conservation Association

Julie Reed (Cherokee), associate professor of history at the University of Tulsa

Morning Star Gali (Pit River Tribe), executive director of Indigenous Justice and the California tribal and community liaison for the International Indian Treaty Council

Kimberly Smith (Eastern Band of Cherokee Indians), community conservation specialist for The Wilderness Society

 

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