This talk by Drew Lopenzina tracks the extraordinary experiences of two “Writing Indians” in the War of 1812, bringing new biographical information to bear on their lives. One, William Apess (Pequot), fought on the U.S. side, having been conscripted at the age of 15 and marched to the Canadian border to witness some of the war’s most brutal engagements. The other, John Norton (Cherokee), banded with the Mohawk under Joseph Brant’s tutelage, and fought for indigenous sovereignty on the Canadian side. Both left detailed accounts of their experiences and became engaged in an even deeper rhetorical battle of exonerating Native people from accusations of war depredations and savagery.
Hosted by the D’Arcy McNickle Center for American Indian and Indigenous Studies and Northwestern University.
Transportation via bus from Northwestern University to the Newberry and back, departing campus (633 Clark St., Evanston) at 4:30 pm and leaving the Newberry at 7:15 pm. Please RSVP for the bus by April 11 to kelly.wisecup@northwestern.edu.