the underview.

the great river with Boyce Upholt. The Mississippi River is more than just a body of water—it’s a force that has shaped the land, the people, and the very mythology of America. But more specifically, it has shaped Arkansas and, ultimately, Northwest Arkansas in ways that still define our place today. In this episode of the underview, I sit down with Boyce Upholt (@boyceu), author of The Great River, to explore how this river became the backbone of American expansion, the driving factor in Manifest Destiny, and a symbol of American masculinity. The Mississippi’s vast watershed carved the geography of Arkansas, fueled early settlement, and dictated the economic and political forces that shaped the state’s identity. We’ll explore the histories of the rivers, the Mississippi’s role in shaping Arkansas, and how its tributaries, including the White and Arkansas Rivers, funneled movement, industry, and conflict that would eventually lead to the development of Northwest Arkansas. From Indigenous civilizations to European expansion, from agriculture to the rise of commerce, and from forced removal to modern conservation, the river’s power is still felt in the way we live, build, and understand our place today. Join us as we navigate the currents of history, myth, and the great river that continues to shape our place. #mississippiriver #theunderview #northwestarkansas #arkansashistory #americanhistory #indigenoushistory #settlercolonialism

the great river with Boyce Upholt. The Mississippi River is more than just a body of water—it’s a force that has shaped the land, the people, and the very mythology of America. In this episode of the underview, I sit down with Boyce Upholt, author of The Great River, to explore how this river became the backbone of American expansion, the driving factor in Manifest Destiny, and a symbol of American masculinity. We’ll dive into the histories of the rivers, the river’s role in the shaping of Arkansas, and the ways in which our attempts to control its power have defined—and sometimes undone—us. Join us as we navigate the currents of history, myth, and the great river that continues to shape our place. #mississippiriver #theunderview #northwestarkansas #arkansashistory #americanhistory #indigenoushistory #settlercolonialism

To understand the story of Northwest Arkansas, we must first understand the forces that shaped the state, the South, and the continent. In our conversation with Boyce Upholt, we explore how the Mississippi River is more than just a boundary or passageway—it is woven into the very mythology of a nation, driving expansion, shaping identities, and leaving an enduring mark on the land and its people. Listen: https://www.theunderview.com/episodes/the-underview-the-great-river-boyce-upholt-mississippi #mississippiriver #theunderview #northwestarkansas #AmericanHistory #ArkansasHistory #IndigenousHistory #SettlerColonialism

the great river with Boyce Upholt. The Mississippi River is more than just a body of water—it’s a force that has shaped the land, the people, and the very mythology of America. But more specifically, it has shaped Arkansas and, ultimately, Northwest Arkansas in ways that still define our place today. In this episode of the underview, I sit down with Boyce Upholt, author of The Great River, to explore how this river became the backbone of American expansion, the driving factor in Manifest Destiny, and a symbol of American masculinity. The Mississippi’s vast watershed carved the geography of Arkansas, fueled early settlement, and dictated the economic and political forces that shaped the state’s identity. We’ll explore the histories of the rivers, the Mississippi’s role in shaping Arkansas, and how its tributaries, including the White and Arkansas Rivers, funneled movement, industry, and conflict that would eventually lead to the development of Northwest Arkansas. From Indigenous civilizations to European expansion, from agriculture to the rise of commerce, and from forced removal to modern conservation, the river’s power is still felt in the way we live, build, and understand our place today. Join us as we navigate the currents of history, myth, and the great river that continues to shape our place. #mississippiriver #theunderview #northwestarkansas #americanhistory #indigenoushistory #settlercolonialism

Video from 2024 #Quapaw Nation #powwow Working with Quapaw Elders to invite a small group of people from Northwest Arkansas to this years powwow. If you’d be interested in attending, DM us. #theunderview #quapaw #arkansas #arkansashistory #americanindian #indianboardingschools #landback

the downstream people, the elders with Barbara Kyser-Collier. In this episode of the underview, Barbara Kyser-Collier, a leader and elder of the Quapaw Nation, shares the history, resilience, and cultural restoration of her people. From the impact of federal policies that led to the loss of full-blood Quapaw to the ongoing fight for sovereignty and identity, Barbara’s story sheds light on the enduring strength of Indigenous communities. This episode explores the creation of the Quapaw Nation’s flag, the significance of cultural preservation, and what it means to reclaim a future rooted in history. Tune in for a powerful conversation on Indigenous resilience, tribal identity, and the legacy of the Quapaw people. #theunderview #quapaw #arkansas #arkansashistory #americanindian #nativeamerican #indigenous #indianboardingschools #landback

At the Quapaw Nation headquarters, a powerful statement of sovereignty flies high—the #Quapaw Nation flag above the #Oklahoma state flag. This placement is more than just symbolic; it asserts the Quapaw Nation’s inherent right to govern itself, predating the state and the U.S. government. Native nations are sovereign entities with self-governing authority that predates the United States. Their sovereignty is recognized under federal law, meaning they have the power to govern their own lands, enact laws, and regulate internal affairs. However, their legal status is complex, as they exist within U.S. borders and are subject to federal oversight while generally being exempt from state jurisdiction—unless Congress explicitly grants that authority. Over the years, the U.S. government has repeatedly sought to diminish tribal sovereignty, using policies such as the Dawes Act (1887), which broke up tribal lands, Public Law 280 (1953), which transferred some jurisdiction to states, and the Termination Era (1940s-1960s), when over 100 tribes lost federal recognition. Although Native nations have fought to restore their rights—resulting in policies like the Indian Self-Determination and Education Assistance Act (1975) and legal victories such as McGirt v. Oklahoma (2020)—state and federal governments continue to challenge tribal sovereignty. Ongoing disputes over land, criminal jurisdiction, and economic independence reveal the continued efforts to erode Native self-governance. Despite these challenges, Native nations persist in asserting their rights, reinforcing that their sovereignty is not granted by the U.S. government but is inherent and enduring. #TribalSovereignty #QuapawNation #mcgirtvoklahoma #theunderview #quapaw #arkansas #arkansashistory #americanindian #nativeamerican #indigenous #indianboardingschools #landback

the downstream people, the elders with Barbara Kyser-Collier. https://www.theunderview.com/episodes/the-underview-downstream-people-elders-barbara-kyser-collier-quapaw In this episode of the underview, Barbara Kyser-Collier, a leader and elder of the Quapaw Nation, shares her people's history, resilience, and cultural restoration. From the impact of federal policies that led to the loss of full-blood Quapaw to the ongoing fight for sovereignty and identity, Barbara’s story sheds light on the enduring strength of Indigenous communities. This episode explores the creation of the Quapaw Nation’s flag, the significance of cultural preservation, and what it means to reclaim a future rooted in history. Tune in for a powerful conversation on Indigenous resilience, tribal governance, and the legacy of the Quapaw people. #quapawnation #quapaw #ArkansasHistory #indigenous #IndigenousHistory #nativeamerican

the downstream people, the elders with Barbara Kyser-Collier. In this episode of the underview, Barbara Kyser-Collier, a leader and elder of the Quapaw Nation, shares the history, resilience, and cultural restoration of her people. From the impact of federal policies that led to the loss of full-blood Quapaw to the ongoing fight for sovereignty and identity, Barbara’s story sheds light on the enduring strength of Indigenous communities. This episode explores the creation of the Quapaw Nation’s flag, the significance of cultural preservation, and what it means to reclaim a future rooted in history. Tune in for a powerful conversation on Indigenous resilience, tribal identity, and the legacy of the Quapaw people. #theunderview #quapaw #arkansas #arkansashistory #americanindian #nativeamerican #indigenous

From #Quapaw Nation #powwow 2024.