Before Kansas became a state, Indigenous nations cared for this land for centuries. This episode explores forced removal, cultural resistance, and the fight for sovereignty, from the Trail of Death to the Ghost Dance and ongoing Land Back efforts.

Resources & Further Learning

• NDN Collective – https://ndncollective.org
• Friends of the Kaw – https://kansasriver.org
• Kansas Office of Native American Affairs – https://governor.kansas.gov/serving-kansans/constituent-services/office-of-native-american-affairs/
• IllumiNative – https://illuminatives.org

Books & Articles

• An Indigenous Peoples’ History of the United States – Roxanne Dunbar-Ortiz
  https://www.penguinrandomhouse.com/books/228195/an-indigenous-peoples-history-of-the-united-states-by-roxanne-dunbar-ortiz
• Our History is the Future – Nick Estes
  https://www.versobooks.com/en-gb/products/2546-our-history-is-the-future
• The Heartbeat of Wounded Knee – David Treuer
  https://www.penguinrandomhouse.com/books/567361/the-heartbeat-of-wounded-knee-by-david-treuer
• As Long As Grass Grows – Dina Gilio-Whitaker
  https://www.penguinrandomhouse.com/books/566067/as-long-as-grass-grows-by-dina-gilio-whitaker

Indigenous Creators & Scholars to Follow

• Nick Estes (@nickwestes) – Historian, activist, co-founder of The Red Nation
  https://twitter.com/nickwestes
• Dina Gilio-Whitaker (@dgiliowhitaker) – Author and scholar on Indigenous environmental justice
  https://twitter.com/dgiliowhitaker
• Rebecca Nagle (@rebeccanagle) – Journalist and host of This Land podcast
  https://twitter.com/rebeccanagle
• The Red Nation (@therednationmovement) – Indigenous resistance organization
  https://therednation.org
• Show Me Your Mask (@showmeyourmask) – Indigenous creator advocating for cultural representation and justice
  https://www.instagram.com/showmeyourmask

Take Action

• Support Indigenous-led organizations and Land Back movements
• Learn about treaty rights and ongoing struggles in your area
• Advocate for policies that support Indigenous sovereignty

Next Episode: Wednesday, February 5th
Bleeding Kansas – The grassroots fight against slavery that helped ignite the Civil War.

Roots of Resistance: Radical Kansas is a podcast about the everyday people who fought back - on picket lines, in courtrooms, and in the streets. From Indigenous resistance and labor uprisings to radical farm movements and disability justice, these stories prove that real change doesn’t start with politicians - it starts with us. New episodes every Wednesday!