Stolen Relations
@stolenrelations.bsky.social
Official Bluesky of Stolen Relations: Recovering Stories of Indigenous Enslavement in the Americas. Housed at the Brown Center for Digital Scholarship @browncds.bsky.social; PI Linford Fisher @linford.bsky.social.
stolenrelations.org
stolenrelations.org
Pinned
(1/5) Today begins Native American Heritage Month. This is a month to celebrate contemporary Native people and their ancestors in the United States, and the rich cultures, languages, and traditions that have existed and continue to exist on this land.
Reposted by Stolen Relations
Grateful for the good work of @ctpublic.bsky.social in airing this segment, which features the voices of regional tribal members and also mentions the @stolenrelations.bsky.social project. www.ctpublic.org/2025-11-14/i...
The hidden history of Indigenous slavery in New England and beyond
It's a surprising and overlooked story, a blind spot in the narrative of early America: the hidden history of Indigenous slavery. As colonial powers took over Native land, white settlers were enslavin...
www.ctpublic.org
November 17, 2025 at 4:02 PM
Grateful for the good work of @ctpublic.bsky.social in airing this segment, which features the voices of regional tribal members and also mentions the @stolenrelations.bsky.social project. www.ctpublic.org/2025-11-14/i...
(1/4) Tomorrow, 272 years ago, an ad was published in the Pennsylvania Gazette bringing attention to the capture and imprisonment of two free people in jail. The first, an Indigenous man named Thomas, had previously been indentured to Samuel Lippincut in the Jerseys.
November 14, 2025 at 5:36 PM
(1/4) Tomorrow, 272 years ago, an ad was published in the Pennsylvania Gazette bringing attention to the capture and imprisonment of two free people in jail. The first, an Indigenous man named Thomas, had previously been indentured to Samuel Lippincut in the Jerseys.
(1/5) Today begins Native American Heritage Month. This is a month to celebrate contemporary Native people and their ancestors in the United States, and the rich cultures, languages, and traditions that have existed and continue to exist on this land.
November 2, 2025 at 2:21 AM
(1/5) Today begins Native American Heritage Month. This is a month to celebrate contemporary Native people and their ancestors in the United States, and the rich cultures, languages, and traditions that have existed and continue to exist on this land.
(1/4) Two days ago marks 339 years since the presence of an Indigenous servant named Jasper was noted in the will of Henry Jacques of Newburyport, MA. Referred to conflictingly by both “he” and “she,” very little identity-based information is provided about them.
November 2, 2025 at 1:54 AM
(1/4) Two days ago marks 339 years since the presence of an Indigenous servant named Jasper was noted in the will of Henry Jacques of Newburyport, MA. Referred to conflictingly by both “he” and “she,” very little identity-based information is provided about them.
(1/4) Today marks 317 years since a highly anonymous advertisement for an Indigenous child was printed in the Boston News-Letter. Identified only as an Indigenous boy of 10 years of age, this child was reduced to only his age, which would influence his value to a potential slaveholder.
October 26, 2025 at 3:04 AM
(1/4) Today marks 317 years since a highly anonymous advertisement for an Indigenous child was printed in the Boston News-Letter. Identified only as an Indigenous boy of 10 years of age, this child was reduced to only his age, which would influence his value to a potential slaveholder.
(1/4)350 years have passed since an unnamed Indigenous woman was forced to make known her community’s battle plans to the MA militia during King Philip’s War. Earlier in the month, she had been captured in Springfield, likely on Nipmuc land, perhaps indicating the tribal nation to which she belonged
October 19, 2025 at 2:54 AM
(1/4)350 years have passed since an unnamed Indigenous woman was forced to make known her community’s battle plans to the MA militia during King Philip’s War. Earlier in the month, she had been captured in Springfield, likely on Nipmuc land, perhaps indicating the tribal nation to which she belonged
Reposted by Stolen Relations
Happy Indigenous Peoples Day!
October 13, 2025 at 3:00 PM
Happy Indigenous Peoples Day!
(1/5) Today we celebrate Indigenous Peoples’ Day instead of Columbus Day. Looking at the history of Indigenous enslavement helps us to understand why this is fully appropriate.
#IndigenousPeoplesDay #Indigenous #ColumbusDay #Columbus #IndigenousHistory #IndigenousPeople
#IndigenousPeoplesDay #Indigenous #ColumbusDay #Columbus #IndigenousHistory #IndigenousPeople
October 13, 2025 at 8:39 PM
(1/5) Today we celebrate Indigenous Peoples’ Day instead of Columbus Day. Looking at the history of Indigenous enslavement helps us to understand why this is fully appropriate.
#IndigenousPeoplesDay #Indigenous #ColumbusDay #Columbus #IndigenousHistory #IndigenousPeople
#IndigenousPeoplesDay #Indigenous #ColumbusDay #Columbus #IndigenousHistory #IndigenousPeople
(1/4) Three days ago marks 350 years since the General Court of Colonial Virginia ordered the Susquehannah [Susquehannock] people to provide two hostages in the form of children between 4 and 8 years old to Captain William Bird in exchange for maintaining possession of the land they lived on.
October 13, 2025 at 1:12 AM
(1/4) Three days ago marks 350 years since the General Court of Colonial Virginia ordered the Susquehannah [Susquehannock] people to provide two hostages in the form of children between 4 and 8 years old to Captain William Bird in exchange for maintaining possession of the land they lived on.
(1/3) The Library of Congress, @librarycongress.bsky.social, which houses Chronicling America, a digital collection of American newspapers, and a manuscript collection, is another example of the range of sources used to find unfree Native people across the historical record.
#indigenoushistory
#indigenoushistory
October 7, 2025 at 4:55 PM
(1/3) The Library of Congress, @librarycongress.bsky.social, which houses Chronicling America, a digital collection of American newspapers, and a manuscript collection, is another example of the range of sources used to find unfree Native people across the historical record.
#indigenoushistory
#indigenoushistory
(1/3) Orange Shirt Day, or the National Day for Truth and Reconciliation, is a Canadian day of remembrance for the forced assimilation and cultural genocide experienced by Indigenous children in the Canadian boarding school system.
#orangeshirtday #indigenoushistory #boardingschools #history
#orangeshirtday #indigenoushistory #boardingschools #history
September 30, 2025 at 10:03 PM
(1/3) Orange Shirt Day, or the National Day for Truth and Reconciliation, is a Canadian day of remembrance for the forced assimilation and cultural genocide experienced by Indigenous children in the Canadian boarding school system.
#orangeshirtday #indigenoushistory #boardingschools #history
#orangeshirtday #indigenoushistory #boardingschools #history
(1/3) The Rhode Island Historical Society, a historical society based in Providence, RI, which maintains the Mary Elizabeth Robinson Research Center, is another example of the range of sources used to find unfree Native people across the historical record.
#history #indigenoushistory #research
#history #indigenoushistory #research
![An example of a document from the Rhode Island Historical Society:
This Indenture made the [empty space] day of June In the yeare one thousand seven Hundred and fifteene wittnesseth that Bette Tientiahchu widow to the Late Deceased John Tientiahchu Indian and Inhabitant within the Township of Providence In the Colony of Road Island and said providence plantations Have by these presents put placed and Bound my Daughter Hannah Tientiahchu being a fatherlis Child as a servant with Martha Sheldon of the Town of providence and Colony of Road Island a fore said and as a servant with her the said Martha Sheldon to Dwell Her Heirs and Assigns from the day of the Date of these presents untill the said Hannah shall Come to be of the Age Eighteene yeares the said Hannah being at the time of the Insealing and Deliveri of these presents Come to be of the Age of ten [empty space] by and Durering all which time and terms the said Hannah shall Her said mistris Martha Sheldon well and faithfully serve In all such Lawfull business as the said Hannah shall be put unto according to her power will and ability and Honestly and obediently In all things shall Behave Her self towards her said mistirs: and orderly and Honestly towards all the family of the said Martha Sheldon: and the said Martha Sheldon for her part promiseth the said Hannah In the knowledg and occupation of House Hold work which she useth after the best manner that she Can or may coach or Instruct or Cause to be taught and Informed as much as there Unto Beloungeth or In any wise appertaineth and also Dureing all the said terme to find unto the said servant meat Drink Linnin woollen Hose shoose and other things needfull or meet for a servant and to Let the said Hannah have two sutes of apparriel at the End of said terme one for Holladaies and another for worke daies In witness where I have here unto set my Hand and seal the Day and yeare first above written
Signed sealed and Delivered
In the presence of ^^^^^](https://cdn.bsky.app/img/feed_thumbnail/plain/did:plc:iiooffw7ptwgyujcxpal3ffu/bafkreihoj73wnsm3neswgoycygaevvmhz3sn6oe3j5jmaccmpm2nbqhhfi@jpeg)
September 30, 2025 at 7:37 PM
(1/3) The Rhode Island Historical Society, a historical society based in Providence, RI, which maintains the Mary Elizabeth Robinson Research Center, is another example of the range of sources used to find unfree Native people across the historical record.
#history #indigenoushistory #research
#history #indigenoushistory #research
(1/3) Tomorrow marks 256 years since Sampson Ezekiel, a multi-racial Indigenous Indentured man, and John Saunders, an Indigenous wage laborer, escaped together from a sloop, in Newport, RI. In doing so, they ended Sampson’s unfreedom under Lillibridge Worth. At the time, they were both about 24.
September 26, 2025 at 4:35 PM
(1/3) Tomorrow marks 256 years since Sampson Ezekiel, a multi-racial Indigenous Indentured man, and John Saunders, an Indigenous wage laborer, escaped together from a sloop, in Newport, RI. In doing so, they ended Sampson’s unfreedom under Lillibridge Worth. At the time, they were both about 24.
California and Nevada have designated today as Native American Day, a holiday meant to celebrate the culture of Indigenous Americans and their role in American society. Though not a federal holiday, we ask you to offer this same appreciation to Native people nationally today and every day.
September 26, 2025 at 4:28 PM
California and Nevada have designated today as Native American Day, a holiday meant to celebrate the culture of Indigenous Americans and their role in American society. Though not a federal holiday, we ask you to offer this same appreciation to Native people nationally today and every day.
(1/3) Tomorrow marks 318 years since a 23 year old Indigenous man named John Elles escaped servitude under Samuel Wentworth, a Merchant from Boston, MA. Wentworth offered a reward of an unclear amount to anyone who would recapture Elles or provide knowledge on his location leading to his capture.
September 20, 2025 at 1:32 AM
(1/3) Tomorrow marks 318 years since a 23 year old Indigenous man named John Elles escaped servitude under Samuel Wentworth, a Merchant from Boston, MA. Wentworth offered a reward of an unclear amount to anyone who would recapture Elles or provide knowledge on his location leading to his capture.
Reposted by Stolen Relations
New York City folks -- come learn more about the @stolenrelations.bsky.social project at the Center for Brooklyn History / Brooklyn Public Library on October 20! Also streaming. www.bklynlibrary.org/calendar/cbh...
CBH Talk | Stolen Relations: Recovering the History of Native American Enslavement | Brooklyn Public Library
The Stolen Relations project is a tribally collaborative initiative to recover, interpret, and share with the public the long-hidden history of Native American enslavement. Developed over the past dec...
www.bklynlibrary.org
September 18, 2025 at 3:02 PM
New York City folks -- come learn more about the @stolenrelations.bsky.social project at the Center for Brooklyn History / Brooklyn Public Library on October 20! Also streaming. www.bklynlibrary.org/calendar/cbh...
(1/3) The John Carter Brown Library @jcblibrary.bsky.social, a history and humanities-centered research library of rare books, manuscripts, maps, and other primary sources at Brown University, is another example of the range of sources used to find unfree Native people across the historical record.
September 17, 2025 at 3:37 AM
(1/3) The John Carter Brown Library @jcblibrary.bsky.social, a history and humanities-centered research library of rare books, manuscripts, maps, and other primary sources at Brown University, is another example of the range of sources used to find unfree Native people across the historical record.
(1/3) Yesterday marks 357 years since an Indigenous man named Popelo was sold to Richard Stafford in Hamilton, Bermuda, by the commander of the Port Royall in Jamaica, Robert Searles, for the term of 99 years, or functionally, the rest of Popelo’s life.
September 13, 2025 at 1:33 AM
(1/3) Yesterday marks 357 years since an Indigenous man named Popelo was sold to Richard Stafford in Hamilton, Bermuda, by the commander of the Port Royall in Jamaica, Robert Searles, for the term of 99 years, or functionally, the rest of Popelo’s life.
(1/3) America’s Historical Newspapers through Readex, a digital repository (behind a paywall) for thousands of newspaper titles spanning from the late 17th century to the 20th, is an example of a source used to find unfree Native people across the historical record.
September 9, 2025 at 3:51 AM
(1/3) America’s Historical Newspapers through Readex, a digital repository (behind a paywall) for thousands of newspaper titles spanning from the late 17th century to the 20th, is an example of a source used to find unfree Native people across the historical record.
(1/3) Today marks 172 years since a woman named Lucy escaped unfreedom under William Taylor, of Cedar Lake, Colorado, with a small unnamed boy, who could have been her son, and an American horse from the same neighborhood that her enslaver lived in. Taylor offered $25 for her capture.
September 6, 2025 at 11:14 PM
(1/3) Today marks 172 years since a woman named Lucy escaped unfreedom under William Taylor, of Cedar Lake, Colorado, with a small unnamed boy, who could have been her son, and an American horse from the same neighborhood that her enslaver lived in. Taylor offered $25 for her capture.
Reposted by Stolen Relations
Alaska Natives, barred from king salmon fishing, fight for their right to manage the Yukon River — Associate Professor of History and Environment and Society @brdemuth.bsky.social provided commentary in this article from @prismreports.org.
Alaska Natives fight for right to fish salmon, manage Yukon River
Before government intervention, Native stewardship maintained salmon stocks, providing physical and spiritual nourishment
prismreports.org
September 5, 2025 at 5:37 PM
Alaska Natives, barred from king salmon fishing, fight for their right to manage the Yukon River — Associate Professor of History and Environment and Society @brdemuth.bsky.social provided commentary in this article from @prismreports.org.
(1/3) Happy Labor Day! Today, as you celebrate the American Labor Movement and all of the rights and privileges brought to Americans through their activism, also remember the way that the labor of Indigenous and Black individuals has been weaponized for hundreds of years throughout history.
September 1, 2025 at 7:37 PM
(1/3) Happy Labor Day! Today, as you celebrate the American Labor Movement and all of the rights and privileges brought to Americans through their activism, also remember the way that the labor of Indigenous and Black individuals has been weaponized for hundreds of years throughout history.
(1/3) Today, 304 years ago, a record of the will of Samuel Lippincott, a landowner in Burlington County, NJ, included reference to two Indigenous people of unstated gender and age. They are also not referred to by name or by community, but left deliberately without these human identifiers.
August 30, 2025 at 2:39 AM
(1/3) Today, 304 years ago, a record of the will of Samuel Lippincott, a landowner in Burlington County, NJ, included reference to two Indigenous people of unstated gender and age. They are also not referred to by name or by community, but left deliberately without these human identifiers.
(1/3) Stolen Relations is proud to be partnering with the Tomaquag Museum to produce exhibits on Indigenous unfreedom and its effects on Indigenous people in the modern world. They will be coming to the Tomaquag Museum in Exeter, RI, and to Brown University in Providence, RI in the near future.
August 26, 2025 at 3:58 AM
(1/3) Stolen Relations is proud to be partnering with the Tomaquag Museum to produce exhibits on Indigenous unfreedom and its effects on Indigenous people in the modern world. They will be coming to the Tomaquag Museum in Exeter, RI, and to Brown University in Providence, RI in the near future.
(1/3) Today marks 225 years since an advertisement was printed in the Columbian Courier calling for the return of Jonathan Soconish, an Indigenous youth of 17 years of age, who chose to emancipate himself from an apprenticeship under Philip Cory of Tiverton, RI.
August 23, 2025 at 3:08 AM
(1/3) Today marks 225 years since an advertisement was printed in the Columbian Courier calling for the return of Jonathan Soconish, an Indigenous youth of 17 years of age, who chose to emancipate himself from an apprenticeship under Philip Cory of Tiverton, RI.