**American Genocide: Crystal Echo Hawk Challenges the Narrative on Native American Violence**.
In the wake of a string of high-profile incidents of police brutality against Indigenous people, a new podcast is shedding light on the centuries-long history of genocide against Native Americans. American Genocide, hosted by Lakota journalist Crystal Echo Hawk, explores the hidden history of violence, dispossession, and assimilation that has decimated Native American populations and cultures..
**A Personal and Political Journey**.
Echo Hawk, a member of the Pawnee Nation and a descendant of Lakota and Cheyenne chiefs, brings a unique blend of personal experience and historical knowledge to the podcast. As a survivor of sexual assault and domestic violence, she has a deep understanding of the trauma that Native American women face. She also has a keen eye for the ways in which the dominant narrative about Native Americans has been shaped by racism and colonialism..
**Challenging Stereotypes and Uncovering Hidden Truths**.
Throughout the podcast’s 10 episodes, Echo Hawk interviews experts, community leaders, and survivors to challenge the prevailing stereotypes about Native Americans as violent and savage. She uncovers the truth about the systematic extermination of Native American populations through warfare, disease, and forced removal from their lands..
In one episode, Echo Hawk talks to historian Roxanne Dunbar-Ortiz about the Trail of Tears, a forced march that resulted in the deaths of thousands of Cherokee people. In another episode, she interviews genocide scholar Ben Kiernan about the ways in which the United States government has targeted Native Americans for extermination..
**Reclaiming the Narrative**.
Echo Hawk’s goal with American Genocide is to reclaim the narrative about Native American history and to challenge the dominant narrative that has erased or distorted the experiences of Indigenous peoples. She wants to create a space where Native American voices can be heard and where the true story of genocide can be told..
**Impact and Reception**.
American Genocide has been widely praised for its powerful storytelling, its unflinching honesty, and its ability to shed light on a hidden history. The podcast has been featured in The New York Times, The Washington Post, and NPR, and has been downloaded millions of times..
Echo Hawk’s work has also inspired action. After the podcast’s release, the National Indian Child Welfare Association (NICWA) launched a campaign to raise awareness about the disproportionate rates of violence against Native American women and children..
**Conclusion**.
American Genocide is a groundbreaking podcast that challenges the dominant narrative about Native American history and violence. Hosted by the powerful voice of Crystal Echo Hawk, the podcast uncovers the hidden truth about the genocide against Native Americans and empowers Indigenous voices to reclaim their own narratives. With its powerful storytelling and its ability to inspire action, American Genocide is essential listening for anyone who wants to understand the true history of the United States and the ongoing struggle for Native American justice..
