The Sacred Truth Behind America's National Parks

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The National Park System is often celebrated as 'America’s Best Idea'—a symbol of its greatness and mythology.

But at what cost?

This episode unravels the history of America’s National Parks, which started long before John Muir and European settlers ‘discovered' them.

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[MaiCohWolf]

I work as a park ranger. That’s why I’m trying to learn more about Land Back — I love the parks, but they’re complicated, and the NPS has a terrible history of dishonoring Indigenous rights and sovereignty, just as the government does. However, I feel that a lot of the new, young people coming into the NPS are very keen to work with and learn from the members of their parks’ affiliated tribes. More and more of us are acknowledging that we are all walking, living, and recreating on stolen land — land that would not be anywhere as restorative and beautiful if it weren’t cared for, and continually fought for, by Native people for so long. The path to Land Back feels so unclear and stirs up a lot of mixed feelings, but I feel like I really needed that lady’s expertise and faith that we CAN all live and thrive together, with each other AND the land. Thank you so much for this video! I’ve been watching PBS since I was a PBS kid and yall have never let me down with educative and hopeful content!! ❤

PS. I didn’t miss the Wilderness Explorer uniform from the movie UP! 😂

[LearningwithLani]

I love how she acknowledged the misconception or fear people have of Native Americans doing back what has been done to them. I appreciated how she said it’s not about greed or ownership and definitely not about colonizing.

[yesid]

I've been saying for the longest time national parks should be ground zero for the landback movement, but the mainstream isn't ready for that conversation—never thought i'd hear that sentiment echoed on pbs!! another great video as always, i really appreciate all the native-themed content yall have been putting out lately. keep up the great work!!

[Jenisonc]

Biggest let down ever was Mt. Rushmore. As a child, I was led to believe it was a symbol of national pride.. Then I saw the mountains. I felt the air. I learned the story.. Then I saw the faces. I was disgusted. That was 30 years ago.

[rubenp]

this series is so well done, its so important to hear first hand from all these people you folks interview, appreciate all your hard work!!!

[PokhrajRoy.]

This is the ‘Parks and Recreation’ that I love ❤

[IvanIvanoIvanovich]

The John Muir Trail that passes through Yosemite, Sequoia and Kings Canyon National Parks is actually a series of indigenous foot paths that were used for centuries, if not millennia, to traverse the Sierras. As with many roads throughout this country.

[mellissadalby]

Yeah, Six Gransfathers Mountain, "Mount Rushmore" should never have been modified from its natural state. That was wrong.

[norahe]

I discovered a Lenape ancestor & kinda went down the rabbit hole of research in the last 7 years.
The family tried to get their land (Matinecock land) for over 100 years but seemed to give up after the Revolutionary War.

Their land is now a Historical Building Marker. You know why? Because Teddy Roosevelt built his house there. God forbid we let anyone disturb the land now…

15 miles east, the city of New York ripped up & destroyed a Matinecock cemetery - of whom have living descendents in the areas.


It’s almost sickening

[adtamyaart]

The algorithm randomly put this in my feed & it's so cool to see indigenous politics like these being discussed openly.

[pixie]

More people should get involved in ecology, don’t leave protection of the environment to Native people alone. Learn from what they are doing and participate in change. Join into protests that protect our water and plant native species in your yards, turn your grass lawn into a prairie that can support the wildlife around you.

[karenstimson]

I learned about Native genocide and land appropriation in the 1960's from listening to folksinger/songwriter Buffy Sainte Marie's scathing exposes "Now That the Buffalo's Gone" and "My Country Tis of Thy People You're Dying". It's horrible to see how little progress has been made since then. Thank you for speaking truth to power with this series!

[LivingInBoredom]

Honestly, I’m so glad to see native people speaking on pbs. It’s incredible to be able to hear and see people that look like family talk about the importance of the land and living with instead of exploiting and destroying. And not just on some tiny little channel! ❤︎ much love from the swamp!

[jenniferburns]

I remember thinking as a child "how can you discover land if people already live there?" The answer, of course, was the native people didn't count to the Church, European nations, and wealthy companies seizing the land.

[OdawaTraveler]

The people's history of Native America is the best series on YouTube! My only complaint is that please make the episodes longer.

[slotho]

Capitalism is inextricably entwined with colonialism.

[timkbirchico]

Hi man x there has been no bigger crime against humanity than the war against Native Americans and the confiscation of their land. Love to you my brothers. I live with nature in Sierra Nevada in Spain. We are all people, the trees, birds, insects, mammals et al. Keep fighting for your obvious right to your homelands.

[CodyosVladimiros]

another great example from Arizona: Theodore Roosevelt and the Grand Canyon, forcing the Hualapai and most of the Havasupai out of their homeland within the Grand Canyon itself. great video.

[TheDopekitty]

As a Canadian, our forefathers did the same and our government is now acknowledging the injustices and trying to make things better.

[kasondaleigh]

Wow!
The first honest assessment of US policy and history regarding the Native American displacement.
Greed is a destructive force.
I learned a lot. Thank you.