Childhood encounters with local indigenous people began Thomas Jefferson’s complex, lifelong relationship with American Indians. Yet, despite his keen interest in their languages and cultures, Jefferson’s ideas and policies contributed to their forced removal and political oppression. This week, for National Native American Heritage Month, we will explore early U.S. policies towards American Indians and how these complex legal decisions shaped later history. Watch the conversation between Professor David Wilkins (Lumbee Tribe of North Carolina) and Monticello's Brandon Dillard (Cherokee Nation).
