I think we've outgrown those structures of colonial dominance over Native American people.

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Dr. Canku talks about structures of colonization.

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Colonization
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What does the term colonialism mean to different peoples?

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We've spent [parts of] some field trips at Fort Ridgely. And that place is also in the same category [as Fort Snelling]. It's in – I don't know what you call it – decay. And its usefulness, it's passed. There's a lot of foundations and old things [at the site]. A good plaque, historical plaque, honoring that place could be set up.

I don't think we need forts in the United States anymore. Because their usefulness is no longer beneficial to us today. And so I think we've outgrown those structures of colonial dominance over Native American people. And so if we expect Native American people to be a part of and proud of who they are and a part of American society, we need to start to make concessions, historical concessions of reconciliation. To take down shameful structures, and put a historical plaque up. And then maybe put something in its place that would be useful to the young people, or our generation. Educational institutions or whatever.

Oral History- Interview | Narrator Dr. Clifford Canku Interviewer Deborah Locke made at Minnesota History Center, St. Paul, MN | Friday, June 10, 2011

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Citation: Minnesota Historical Society. U.S. - Dakota War of 1862. I think we've outgrown those structures of colonial dominance over Native American people. March 26, 2025. http://www.usdakotawar.org/node/1019

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