We the People Kathleen DuVal on Native Nations
Jan 8, 2026
Award-winning historian Kathleen DuVal shares insights from her upcoming book, exploring a millennium of Native history. She challenges simplistic narratives and emphasizes the sovereignty of Native nations. DuVal discusses significant topics like the rise of urban societies, the impact of climate change, and Native responses to European contact. She highlights collaborative efforts with Indigenous communities and critiques U.S. policies that aimed to erase Native identities while celebrating cultural revitalization and the ongoing significance of Native sovereignty in contemporary America.
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Longstanding Sovereign Nations
- Native nations have long existed as diverse, sovereign polities and continue to do so today.
- Kathleen DuVal wrote the book to correct static, simplified school narratives about Native history.
Why 'Nation' Matters
- DuVal chooses "nation" to emphasize self-governing polities and territorial claims across centuries.
- Early Europeans also used "nation" to describe Indigenous peoples with territory and governance.
Cahokia's Urban Scale
- Cahokia rose around 1,000 years ago thanks to large-scale corn agriculture and favorable climate.
- Its central mound, temples, and 10,000+ residents rivaled contemporary European cities.
