Dr. Clifford Canku

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Dr. Clifford Canku was born in the Long Hollow District near Sisseton, South Dakota in 1938 to Martha and Elijah Harold Canku. He is enrolled as a Sisseton Wahpeton tribe member.

Stories

Title
When you go to war, some people disappear
Dr. Clifford Canku | Oral History 		Theme: 1862
Topics: Aftermath of 1862, Oral History, Family in 1862, Fort Snelling, Dakota Exile/Diaspora, Dakota Social Structure
Keywords: Injustice, Wakute (Wacouta), Canku, Diaspora, Lake Traverse, Orphans, Relatives, Montana, Canada, Fort Totten, Roles, Warriors, Fugitive
We just accept – with open heart, open mind, open spirit.
Dr. Clifford Canku | Oral History 		Theme: 1862
Topics: Birch Coulee, Little People
Keywords: Little People, Birch Coulee
At the root of everything, factionalism was created when immigrants came to our way of living
Dr. Clifford Canku | Oral History 		Theme: 1862
Topics: U.S. Government, Factions, Immigration, Dakota Land
Keywords: Indian Removal Act, Factionalism, Treaties, Policies, Reservations, Immigration, Settlers, Encroachment
I think we've outgrown those structures of colonial dominance over Native American people.
Dr. Clifford Canku | Oral History 		Theme: 1862
Topics: Fort Ridgely, Fort Snelling, Reconciliation, Education for Understanding
Keywords: Fort Ridgely, Concessions, Reconciliation, Colonization, Education
That Fort is a sham. It's a Fort whose history is shameful.
Dr. Clifford Canku | Oral History 		Theme: 1862
Topics: Fort Snelling, Spirits
Keywords: Fort Snelling, Spirits, Relatives
Hopefully it would not happen to other people.
Dr. Clifford Canku | Oral History 		Theme: 1862
Topics: Perspectives on 1862, Spirituality, Mankato Hangings
Keywords: Men, Superman, Mankato, Hangings
The way I look at it, is that this country is still ours, spiritually, because it is God-given.
Dr. Clifford Canku | Oral History 		Theme: Connection to Land
Topics: Dakota Land, Spirits, Creation
Keywords: Land, Spirits, Ghosts, Camp Coldwater, Homeland, Relatives
Women within the Dakota society were very highly organized and they were very strong.
Dr. Clifford Canku | Oral History 		Theme: Culture and Values
Topics: Dakota Culture and Values, Dakota Social Structure
Keywords: Warrior, Spiritual Leader, Women
Biggest thing that happened to us was the Second World War.
Dr. Clifford Canku | Oral History 		Theme: Growing Up
Topics: Growing Up, Military
Keywords: Military, WWII
I would wish for the best of both worlds for our young people
Dr. Clifford Canku | Oral History 		Theme: Hopes for the Future
Topics: Dakota Identity, Youth
Keywords: Skills, Youth
Our roots are still very much deeply embedded in our Dakota way of life.
Dr. Clifford Canku | Oral History 		Theme: Life Today
Topics: Dakota Life Today, Lower Sioux Agency, Spirituality, Dakota Identity, Dakota Culture and Values
Keywords: Spirituality, Identity, Roots, Anglo
I would compare it to what's happening to the United States
Dr. Clifford Canku | Oral History 		Theme: Life Today
Topics: Perspectives on 1862, U.S. Government
Keywords: Afghanistan, Iraq
America will never be great unless it does justice to the first Americans on this continent.
Dr. Clifford Canku | Oral History 		Theme: Shared History
Topics: Treaties, U.S. Government
Keywords: Treaties, Justice, Property, United Nations
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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