Bill Moyers and Robert A. Williams Jr. Look at Native Americans and the History of Dispossession

Bill Moyers and Robert A. Williams Jr. Look at Native Americans and the History of Dispossession
Earlier this month, as part of the $585 billion defense bill for 2015, Congress passed a measure that would give lands sacred to American Indians in Arizona to a foreign company. The deal gives the Australian-English mining firm Rio Tinto 2,400 acres of the Tonto National Forest in exchange for several other parcels so it can mine a massive copper deposit. This week, Bill speaks with Robert A. Williams Jr., a professor specializing in American Indian law, about how deals such as the one with Rio Tinto are a part of American Indian’s tragic history of dispossession. “Very much like African-Americans, the history of America is taking away resources, whether it’s labor or whether it’s land from one racial group to give them to the dominate racial group,” Williams, who is of Lumbee Indian heritage, says. http://bit.ly/1y00ysJ – Truthout.org

Dr. Todd Surovell Returns to Archaeology Southwest’s Archaeology Café (Tucson) 
On Tuesday, January 6, 2015, Todd Surovell (University of Wyoming, Frison Institute) will explore evidence—material and statistical—of When the New World Was Colonized. We meet at Casa Vicente, 375 S. Stone Ave., Tucson. Presentations begin after 6:00 p.m. It is best to arrive by 5:30 p.m., as seating is open and unreserved, but limited. http://bit.ly/1vC4f1S – Archaeology Southwest

Preservation Planning in Peoria
Within its 177 square miles, Peoria is home to vast natural environments. They include the Sonoran Desert; Lake Pleasant, in the foothills of the Hieroglyphic Mountains; other isolated mountainous areas, such as West Wing, East Wing, Sunrise Mountains and Calderwood Butte; and the Agua Fria and New River water courses. Without a plan for preservation, there’s no assurance that the accompanying wildlife habitats, scenic vistas and historic ruins of the Hohokam Indians who settled along the river basins will remain a part of the city’s future. http://bit.ly/1xZbl6C – Arizona Republic

Lecture Opportunity – Sedona
A special Arizona Humanities program will be featured at Sedona Public Library on Tuesday, January 6, at 7:00 p.m.  Guest speaker Erik Berg, an award-winning historian and past president of the Grand Canyon Historical Society, will present The Eagle and the Archaeologists: The Lindberghs’ 1929 Southwest Aerial Survey. http://bit.ly/1BefykT – Sedona.Biz

Lecture Opportunity – Tucson
On January 15, historian Jim Turner presents Underpinnings of Southern Arizona Historical Archaeology: The Historical Record for Old Pueblo Archaeology Center’s 6:00 to 8:30 p.m. “Third Thursday Food for Thought” dinner at Dragon’s View Asian Cuisine, 400 N. Bonita Avenue, Tucson. Jim will discuss the history of southern Arizona land grants and major water sources, both of which are important to the historical archaeology of this region. Guests may select and purchase dinner. There is no entry fee; donations will be requested. Seating is limited: Call 520-798-1201 and have your reservation confirmed before 5 p.m. Wednesday, January 14.