Documentary Explores Makassar-Aboriginal Encounters Before 1770

Several recent works and events highlight Indigenous histories and perspectives in America and Australia. The documentary "Before 1770," directed by Wesam Charkawi, explores the relationship between Makassar Muslim sailors and Aboriginal Australians, aiming to correct historical narratives. Keith Richotte, an Indigenous legal scholar, traces the U.S. government's legal control over Native Americans through Supreme Court decisions in his book "The Worst Trickster Story Ever Told," using a Native storytelling framework to critique plenary power. Journalist John Glionna's book "No Friday Night Lights" tells the story of an eight-man football team on a Native American reservation, exploring themes of identity and survival. A historic peace council in 1812 involving Native American tribes and future President William Henry Harrison marked a key moment of alliance in Ohio's history, commemorated by a plaque placed by the Daughters of the American Revolution. Additionally, the Manitou Springs Heritage Museum is hosting an exhibit featuring historic and contemporary Indigenous photography and art, showcasing the ongoing cultural legacy of Native peoples in the West.