Democracy Now! Audio Julian Brave NoiseCat on His Memoir, Indigenous Peoples' Day and Hegseth's Wounded Knee Decision
Oct 13, 2025
In this insightful discussion, Julian Brave NoiseCat, an award-winning writer and journalist, dives into his debut memoir, We Survived the Night. He highlights the significance of Indigenous Peoples Day, contrasting it with Columbus Day, and stresses the need for historical recognition on native lands. Julian also strongly critiques the decision to honor Medal of Honor recipients from the Wounded Knee massacre, labeling it a tragic acknowledgment of colonial violence. His reflections on intergenerational trauma and contemporary Indigenous resilience are both poignant and enlightening.
AI Snips
Chapters
Books
Transcript
Episode notes
Reevaluating Columbus Celebration
- Columbus initiated a continent-spanning genocide and praised slavery, so celebrating him is morally fraught.
- Julian Brave NoiseCat says recognizing Indigenous Peoples Day acknowledges the continent's First Peoples and corrects historical celebration.
Wounded Knee Is A National Tragedy
- The 1890 Wounded Knee killings were a massacre of up to 300 Lakota, including women and children.
- NoiseCat calls preserving 20 Medals of Honor for those soldiers a tragic celebration of atrocity and a marker of national failure.
Roots Of A Writer
- Julian credits early reading and writing, especially Sherman Alexie, for shaping his path as a writer.
- He also cites growing up in Oakland's activist culture as crucial to finding his voice.
