To the editor:

Chatting with a neighbor about a recent Enterprise article (Mohawk Cultural center) which led to a impromptu discussion about famous Native Americans. I asked him who is the most famous Native American: Sitting Bull? Geronimo? Crazy Horse? Pocahontas? Sacajawea?

The most famous Native American who ever lived (well known ’til today the world over) was the leader of a European nation at war. He was part Mohawk (on his mother’s side, she never gave up her U.S. passport) from our very area. Famous for how he led his nation to fight and survive during a horrible war of extinction. A war led by another European nation to enslave and destroy his people (and others).

So why is this short, fat, bald, dark haired, cigar smoking, not-the-hero-type man so famous? During the war his nation faced defeat. Most of the upper crust rich and powerful (the socio-economic group he was a part of) favored surrender to the invaders, cut a deal so they might preserve their wealth and power at the expense of the nation.

“We shall fight them on the beaches, we shall fight on the landing grounds, we shall fight in the fields and in the streets, we shall fight in the hills; we shall never surrender. I have nothing to offer you but blood, sweat and tears.” (This is not exactly what he said, but it is how the people remember it). This speech, so uncommon for a blue-blood of his class, galvanized his people like nothing before. With massive aid from the United States, they beat back the invader.

Much has been written about this little man who did not behave as typical of his class. I wonder how much might be attributed to the stories he heard as a child about his Mohawk ancestors’ martial skills and exploits (as mentioned in his biography).

It’s unfortunate the first Native American ever to be in the White House (as Charles Curtis, vice president for Herbert Hoover. Kaw, Osage, Potawatomi ancestory) died a few years before Churchill’s famous speech. Our area is rich in First Nation history, perhaps we can all focus a little more on it.

Ironically today another nation is fighting for its survival (with massive assistance from … guess who?) again led by a short, dark haired, not-the-hero-type. “I need ammo, not a ride.”

Some things never change I guess.

Just a thought.

Ira Weinberg

Saranac Lake