The 2021 speaker series of the Hendrick Hudson Chapter of the Daughters of the American Revolution, honoring Constitution Week, continues on Zoom on September 20 at 2pm. Heather Bruegl, a citizen of the Oneida Nation of Wisconsin and first-line descendent Stockbridge Munsee, will discuss the US Constitution and its relationship to Native Americans.
The Constitution, adopted in 1787, was not written with this continent’s first peoples in mind. So how does it relate to them? Constitution Week was dedicated by President Eisenhower in 1956, and the Daughters of the American Revolution encourage the study of the Constitution and the historical events that led to its framing. Hearing the Native American perspective will help to broaden Americans’ understanding of this fundamental document.
In Ms. Bruegl’s words, “We know throughout history that what is written in the Constitution doesn’t always apply to everyone that lives in the United States. The Indigenous peoples who called this land home were shut out and not included. We weren’t citizens of the United States and the basic rights in the Constitution were denied to us. It is very important to understand this history and how it relates today.”
Ms. Bruegl, who holds a BA and MA in US history, developed a passion for Native American history after a visit to Wounded Knee in South Dakota. Formerly Director of Cultural Affairs for the Stockbridge-Munsee Community, she now serves as Director of Education for Forge Project, a new Hudson Valley-based initiative that supports Indigenous communities and leaders working in the arts, food sovereignty, and language revitalization. She has spoken to numerous groups on topics such as Native American history, including policy and activism.
The talk will be presented on Zoom, and advance registration is required. Click here to register: https://us02web.zoom.us/meeting/register/tZIpfu2qqzgoEtMZ79xiNBpOVzNPXNnvLB6g
The Hendrick Hudson Chapter of the DAR was chartered 125 years ago in 1896. A nonpartisan organization welcoming eligible women without regard to race, creed, or religion, it includes more than 100 members who trace their lineage back to a patriot in the American Revolution–whether serving as soldier, shopkeeper, or seamstress. In accordance with the National Society DAR, members work to perpetuate the memory and spirit of the women and men who achieved American independence, to promote the development of an enlightened public opinion, and to foster patriotic citizenship.
The chapter owns and maintains its meeting house, the Historic Robert Jenkins House, at 113 Warren Street in Hudson. The chapter and the chapter house can be accessed at hudson-dar.org, facebook.com/HudsonDAR, instagram.com/robertjenkinshouse, hendrickhudsonchapterdar@gmail.com, and (518) 828-9764.
Robert Jenkins House tours, library, and chapter in-person activities are resuming. The Speaker Series continues to be available virtually via Zoom.
Hendrick Hudson Chapter, NSDAR 