It Could Happen Here It Could Happen Here Weekly 204
Oct 18, 2025
Dahlia Killsback, a member of the Cheyenne Northern Tribe and expert in tribal policy, delves into the history of Indigenous Peoples Day and the Doctrine of Discovery, analyzing its impact on land rights. Meanwhile, the lead reporter covers the alarming human cost of Title 42, tracing its origins and the devastating consequences for migrants at the border. Personal stories highlight the struggles faced by those fleeing violence, while volunteers coordinate crucial aid amid complicated immigration policies and ongoing challenges on the ground.
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Why Indigenous Peoples Day Matters
- Indigenous Peoples Day replaces Columbus Day to honor those actually here first and acknowledge atrocities committed by Columbus.
- Dahlia Killsback frames this as correcting celebration of a historical figure who enabled genocide and slavery.
Doctrine Of Discovery Shapes Policy
- Federal Indian policy stems from a colonial legal framework like the doctrine of discovery that denied Indigenous governance.
- Dahlia links Columbus-era doctrines directly to U.S. settler-colonial law and land theft.
Marshall Trilogy's Enduring Impact
- The Marshall Trilogy legally defined tribes as "domestic dependent nations," placing them under federal oversight.
- Those rulings used racist reasoning and the doctrine of discovery to justify paternalism over tribes.