I see errors in Minnesota Historical Society's signs and books

Mr. LaBatte shares his view about the Minnesota Historical Society's teaching of the history surrounding 1862.

Audio Chapters

JL: In the Northern Lights textbook, it mentions that the fur traders cheated the Indians three times. It's mentioned three times in that book. I have written to the Minnesota Historical Society asking for proof of this and I have never received an answer. The suggestion is made that the missionaries forced the Indians, put stress on the Indians to become Christians, and I don’t' find that to be true. The missionaries offered knowledge of their religion, offered membership in their church. They had no power to force anybody to do anything. And I see errors in Minnesota Historical Society's signs and books. If they had a better research group, like they did at one time, they might not have these errors and if they were trying not to please an Indian advisory panel, they might not have these errors. We are seeing a good Indian, bad white attitude come through in these exhibits.

Oral History- Interview | Narrator John LaBatte Interviewer Deborah Locke made in New Ulm, MN | Tuesday, May 31, 2011

Citation: Minnesota Historical Society. U.S. - Dakota War of 1862. I see errors in Minnesota Historical Society's signs and books March 18, 2024. http://www.usdakotawar.org/node/1075

Viewpoints: All viewpoints expressed on this website are those of the contributors, and are not representative of the Minnesota Historical Society.