Welcome to Stolen Relations

Please note: the headings and terms in this database are largely derived from archival documents, which often contain terms, phrases, and biases that reduce, minimize, or alter Native identities and views of the world.

As part of our commitment to decolonize and recontextualize these sources, please consult the additional information displayed at right or via the info-circle icon to better interpret and understand the headings and terms given in the primary sources.

Learn

Learn

Welcome to the Learn page! Below you will find a variety of resources to learn more about the history of Indigenous enslavement, as well as contemporary perspectives on the issue.

Information about Stolen Relations

Brief Overview of Indigenous Enslavement

Brief Overview of Indigenous Enslavement
read

Decolonizing the Archives

Decolonizing the Archives
read

About this Project

About this Project
read

Brief Overview of Indigenous Enslavement

Brief Overview of Indigenous Enslavement
read

Decolonizing the Archives

Decolonizing the Archives
read

About this Project

About this Project
read

Stories from the Archives

Will Winthrop (Providence, Rhode Island, 1673)

Will Winthrop (Providence, Rhode Island, 1673)

Patience Boston (Maine, 1738)

Patience Boston (Maine, 1738)

George Fortman (Evansville, Indiana, 1936)

George Fortman (Evansville, Indiana, 1936)

Rachel and Dido (Montville, Connecticut, 1720

Rachel and Dido (Montville, Connecticut, 1720

Dick (Long Island, New York, 1722)

Dick (Long Island, New York, 1722)

Jacob (Westchester County, New York, 1757)

Jacob (Westchester County, New York, 1757)

Betsy (Natchitoches Parish, Louisiana, 1812)

Betsy (Natchitoches Parish, Louisiana, 1812)

Wawaus, alias James Printer (Boston, 1709)

Wawaus, alias James Printer (Boston, 1709)

Sarah John (Berwick, Maine, 1750)

Sarah John (Berwick, Maine, 1750)

Artistic Responses

Artistic Responses

Patricia Rocker (Chappaquiddick Wampanoag, Whale Clan)

Patricia Rocker (Chappaquiddick Wampanoag, Whale Clan)

Loren Spears (Narragansett)

Loren Spears (Narragansett)

Paula Peters (Mashpee Wampanoag)

Paula Peters (Mashpee Wampanoag)

Videos related to Indigenous slavery history

Did Europeans Enslave Native Americans?

Did Europeans Enslave Native Americans?
watch

PBS, 2020

Native American Slavery in New England

Native American Slavery in New England
watch

Margaret Newell, The Ohio State University, 2022

Native American Slavery in Spanish Colonies

Native American Slavery in Spanish Colonies
watch

Andrés Reséndez, University of California – Davis, 2022

Indian Slavery: An Unspoken History

Indian Slavery: An Unspoken History
watch

Panel discussion at Brown University, 2016

"American Indian Slave Trade in the Colonial South"

“American Indian Slave Trade in the Colonial South”
watch

Tyler Boulware, West Virginia University, 2022

Did Europeans Enslave Native Americans?

Did Europeans Enslave Native Americans?
watch

PBS, 2020

Native American Slavery in New England

Native American Slavery in New England
watch

Margaret Newell, The Ohio State University, 2022

Native American Slavery in Spanish Colonies

Native American Slavery in Spanish Colonies
watch

Andrés Reséndez, University of California – Davis, 2022

Indian Slavery: An Unspoken History

Indian Slavery: An Unspoken History
watch

Panel discussion at Brown University, 2016

"American Indian Slave Trade in the Colonial South"

“American Indian Slave Trade in the Colonial South”
watch

Tyler Boulware, West Virginia University, 2022

Suggested reading

Perspective: The Other Slavery, Andrés Reséndez

Perspective: The Other Slavery, Andrés Reséndez
read

America's Other Original Sin

America’s Other Original Sin
read

Rebecca Onion, Slate, 2016

Colonial enslavement of Native Americans included those who surrendered, too

Colonial enslavement of Native Americans included those who surrendered, too
read

Brown University news service, featuring Linford Fisher

What Slavery Looked like in the West

What Slavery Looked like in the West
read

The Atlantic, 2021

Perspective: The Other Slavery, Andrés Reséndez

Perspective: The Other Slavery, Andrés Reséndez
read

America's Other Original Sin

America’s Other Original Sin
read

Rebecca Onion, Slate, 2016

Colonial enslavement of Native Americans included those who surrendered, too

Colonial enslavement of Native Americans included those who surrendered, too
read

Brown University news service, featuring Linford Fisher

What Slavery Looked like in the West

What Slavery Looked like in the West
read

The Atlantic, 2021

Podcasts and Radio 

An American Secret: The Untold Story of Native American Enslavement

An American Secret: The Untold Story of Native American Enslavement
listen

Hidden Brain, 2017

Native American Slavery

Native American Slavery
listen

First Voices Radio, 2022

Indigenous Enslavement: Part 1

Indigenous Enslavement: Part 1
listen

SPLC, Learning for Justice

An American Secret: The Untold Story of Native American Enslavement

An American Secret: The Untold Story of Native American Enslavement
listen

Hidden Brain, 2017

Native American Slavery

Native American Slavery
listen

First Voices Radio, 2022

Indigenous Enslavement: Part 1

Indigenous Enslavement: Part 1
listen

SPLC, Learning for Justice

Contemporary Sites and Resources

Dawnland Voices Project

Dawnland Voices Project
read

Indian Country Today (news)

Indian Country Today (news)
read

Historical Trauma in Native American Communities

Historical Trauma in Native American Communities

Land Back: The Indigenous Fight to Reclaim Stolen Lands

Land Back: The Indigenous Fight to Reclaim Stolen Lands
read

PBS, 2022

Dawnland Voices Project

Dawnland Voices Project
read

Indian Country Today (news)

Indian Country Today (news)
read

Historical Trauma in Native American Communities

Historical Trauma in Native American Communities

Land Back: The Indigenous Fight to Reclaim Stolen Lands

Land Back: The Indigenous Fight to Reclaim Stolen Lands
read

PBS, 2022

Stolen Relations in the News

Millions of Native people were enslaved in the Americas

Millions of Native people were enslaved in the Americas
read

USA Today, 2025

No More Excuses

No More Excuses
read

Brown Alumni Magazine, 2023

Confronting Indigenous Enslavement, One Story at a Time

Confronting Indigenous Enslavement, One Story at a Time
read

News from Brown, 2022

Stolen Relations Awarded NEH Digital Humanities Advancement Grant

Stolen Relations Awarded NEH Digital Humanities Advancement Grant
read

Brown Library News

Millions of Native people were enslaved in the Americas

Millions of Native people were enslaved in the Americas
read

USA Today, 2025

No More Excuses

No More Excuses
read

Brown Alumni Magazine, 2023

Confronting Indigenous Enslavement, One Story at a Time

Confronting Indigenous Enslavement, One Story at a Time
read

News from Brown, 2022

Stolen Relations Awarded NEH Digital Humanities Advancement Grant

Stolen Relations Awarded NEH Digital Humanities Advancement Grant
read

Brown Library News

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