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Margaret Holt's avatar

I know they must be very grateful for all of your hard work with this research, but what I also mean is I'm interested in how what you are discovering makes them "feel" about their history, that is, what is their emotional response? The kind of things they are asking and sending tells me they want to be contributors to this history. It matters.

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Jill Swenson's avatar

Ah, that is a deeper question. For all of us. And one that I need to ask more often about how this information alters the way we feel and think about our family and community history. What I have witnessed is a keen interest among subscribers in contributing to a better understanding of how the past informs the present.

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Leanne Fournier's avatar

Well told Jill. I love your thorough research in honouring these stories.

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Jill Swenson's avatar

Thanks, Leanne. There are some great stories of Max Jones and the semi-pro Indian men's baseball team he organized in Warroad. They competed against league teams at your end of Lake of the Woods. I love going down these rabbit holes but it's hard to weave in every detail I discover.

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Margaret Davey's avatar

This article taught me things about my great uncle Max Jones that I never knew and I am so grateful for that. Sadly, his sister Sally (my grandmother) died of early onset dementia before I was born. Two cousins, Timothy and Marilyn, died from same disease.

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Jill Swenson's avatar

I am still learning more about Max Jones and what a larger-than-life character he was. Will keep digging into the archives and have found some leads on his baseball career, too.

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Kaycianne Russell's avatar

Thanks for informing us on this person's life. We all want to be remembered for something and I think you are helping to do that for many who are part of this history.

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Jill Swenson's avatar

I'm amazed he ran the 100 yard dash in 10 seconds in 1929 when I thought Carl Lewis had broken that record during my lifetime. I keep finding reasons to remember!

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Melanie Christensen's avatar

Jill, I knew nothing of this history of Warroad….. except maybe what I heard from my parents and oldest brother. Thank you for doing this research. I’ve learned so much in your posts! So much unfairness….. it would be interesting to know their thoughts about this land sale.

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Jill Swenson's avatar

Melanie, I knew less than you and learned from you, your parents, and siblings what a wonder-filled place Warroad is and how rich its history. I am eager to learn more from descendants how they think and feel about these land transactions.

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Eliza Anderson's avatar

Fascinating

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Margaret Holt's avatar

Yes, and I hope all that is discovered influences better and more compassionate policy-making now and in the future.

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Ann Marie Ackermann's avatar

Wow. Some of the things this family went through. Too bad they didn't have legal representation.

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Jill Swenson's avatar

Lawyers cost money. And I'm not sure what attorney they could have hired who would actually represent their interests at that time. The laws were not in their favor. Access to legal representation for these civil matters remains an issue today.

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Ann Marie Ackermann's avatar

All of that is true. You hit the nail on the head. Today there might be some legal services organizations that could provide free services, but probably not back then.

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Jill Swenson's avatar

Even today legal representation for those who do not have tribal membership in a federally recognized tribe is difficult to find and present challenges most are not willing to take on.

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Ann Marie Ackermann's avatar

That’s what the ACLU is for, but it didn’t exist back then, unfortunately. It’s sad how difficult it is for people to get representation.

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Alice Goldbloom's avatar

Love your thorough research. Telling this story is important.

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Jill Swenson's avatar

Thanks, Alice.

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Margaret Holt's avatar

Wouldn't it be thrilling if you and many of these folks could make a video talking about their history!

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Jill Swenson's avatar

I love how you dream big.

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Elaine Mansfield's avatar

I love the history you're teaching. Thank you for sharing your research.

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Jill Swenson's avatar

I love that you are interested in reading about this history. Thank you.

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Margaret Holt's avatar

Wouldn't it be amazing if you could sit in on conversations of the Namaypoke descendants if they had a chance to read what you have learned? How would they respond, I wonder?

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Jill Swenson's avatar

Some descendants are subscribers and have privately messaged me with corrections, questions, and new information and personal documents. I'm especially grateful to Namaypoke's great-grandson Roy Jones (who is not online).

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