Charles Curtis, the first Native American vice president

Elected in 1928, Charles Curtis became the first, and only, Native American Vice President of the United States. After being raised among the Kaw Tribe in Kansas, he stayed in Topeka to live with his White father's family. His professional and political rise (from lawyer, to Congressman and Senator, to Herbert Hoover's running mate) was swift and compelling. Correspondent Mo Rocca looks back at the incredible life of Curtis, and the not-always-positive impact he had on Native American peoples.
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[@galengalbreath1051]

It's sad how history forgets the accomplishments and contributions of the indigenous peoples of this continent. Imagine how inspiring the story of Charles Curtis would have been to generations of indigenous youth. We must do better going forward.

[@gloriaonyebeke4458]

Very true!

[@MomoHitsujiOwO]

Love this statement! We must do better as a nation to honor our history!

[@lifeisgood12341]

Too bad he sold out his people with the Curtis act within the Dawes act.

[@jeremymoore145]

In school, they didn’t tell us this.

[@cc1k435]

You just have to know, it seems. There are lots of schools still standing that were aimed at assimilation back in the day, some turned into universities now or museums, but not enough attention is given them nationally for the general population to know much about this part of US history.

[@timlangdon6448]

My comment I'm about ready to say sound like I could be a racist comment but it's not... They have in February Black history month... But realistically each 12 months of the year they should donate a month with different nationalities history too.... Because you cannot just be focused on one nationality only.... We should have the nation nominate January to be national history month for native Americans... Because we're a nation of all different races all different nationalities coming together as one nation.... You mentioned a comment about schools..if schools would did that it would takes more than 12 years to teach exactly what goes on in the world.... Because we're a nation that need to be United chores that cannot be broken as one unity thread of steel, banning together in unity.....

[@timlangdon6448]

@@omi_god thank you for for explaining that to me...but don't you think that each month we should give recognize to different races of people.. because we should celebrate all nationalities all race we should celebrate everybody every month of the year.... Because we are one nation and is about time we're acting like we're just one nation...

[@timlangdon6448]

@@omi_god but don't you think the media promotes that strongly.. I believe the media should promote all different cultures all different ethnic groups each month.. because the bottom line is we're all Americans and we should act like that and stick together as one country.

[@timlangdon6448]

@@omi_god I never thought that way before but it does sound interesting... I will give that some prayer and thought...but my point that I was trying to be making the first place was that.. it's all about money basically..... And also don't you think it would be nice to celebrate different achievements different groups of people... Each month, and to learn more history on different groups of people, sowe would have a better idea of what people are going through in life..

[@ladydeerheart1]

How hard it must have been for his grandmother to tell him to stay with his other grandmother and assimilate. I can feel her heartbreak.

[@ricodelavega4511]

@Duston Call i'm guessing you lost a lot dough in one of their casinos. Bitter are we?

[@therneee]

proud to be a Kansan inspiring people like Charles 🌻🌻🌻

[@observerobserver6040]

I'm from the UK this is an incredible part of history. I've got to share this.

[@dmraven]

I was born in Topeka, KS and lived there most of my life. But never learned that throughout the entire 3 decades I lived and went to school there. That's amazing!

[@haroldkerrii6085]

WHY isn't this house on the National Historic Places register???

[@lisarice4402]

Exactly what I thought!

[@ricodelavega4511]

maybe that house should be moved to the newly recovered Kaw territory, even if its the only house there.

[@MichaelJ44]

Just because of his skin colour?

[@liberalinoklahoma1888]

American history as it is taught now is a watered down , beautified version of reality . We need to start teaching the facts and truths no matter how ugly and inconvenient .

[@traceytrotter9934]

Absolutely. I was a lover of school as a child but I didn't like history. Now I know why.

[@laurienickless5564]

For a start read TO THE GATES OF FENGTU, a recently translated account of a pre-Columbian Chinese expedition to N. America. It was a failure, which is why I am now typing in English

[@assassssasa]

Kudos to Mo Rocca on a great segment on Charles Curtis

[@robertward8035]

I remember learning about Vice-President Curtis when learning about President Hoover decades ago. It's good and warming to see his cultural roots being remembered. He was a very interesting man, and we should be sharing his story.

[@CG-jz9ms]

And it seems the schools rather hide this great history! Self education is important

[@DarhaLB]

Yes but so is Incorporating it into our history books in school. This would help a lot of things

[@CG-jz9ms]

@@DarhaLB absolutely!

[@Ayden_B]

You have a point, but to be fair schools don’t usually teach about any of the VP’s if they didn’t go on to become president

[@Dakatari]

What a amazing inspiring story for all Americans.

[@nursemedic17]

This is so awesome. I actually learned something new. Truly fascinating. History books need more stories like these in them.

[@cynthiacopland8634]

Respect & Gratitude to the First Nation people.

[@jahimjauh-hey5653]

What a cool story

[@yatishyanamala2294]

U FIRST

[@martha9433]

Thank You. Interesting. 🕊

[@n.herbig7592]

It saddens me that I never knew this. I should have learned this in school.

[@MomoHitsujiOwO]

I wish I knew about this during school back in the day, but this is better late than never!

[@Said-zl2xc]

Charles Curtis and Malcolm X, two of the greatest people wiped out of history. I swear history class is just a bunch of picked out bs. I didn't know about Charles Curtis until I did my own research. Glad to have come across this video. Such an inspiration.

[@yodapappacards]

Inspiring

[@greenlion6544]

Thank you for educating us in this great man. A true inspiration.

[@bonanzatime]

People who restore old houses are the classiest people in the world.

[@bodhimartina6985]

I love this! Thank you! May their wisdom rise again!

[@yosoyjoaquin5759]

I wanted to say something cheeky but grandma threw a shoe at me

[@MrTDMiles]

It should be a Historical Site and turn into a National Monument

[@gailremp8389]

What a wonderful story.. I have emailed this to a couple of friends of mine. And I have a buddy of mine that is native American. Not this tribe. But who cares. This is just wonderful. Thank you for the story.

[@codygeewin5166]

Indians are from INDIA!!! We are Native People!!! NATIVE INDEPENDENCE!!!!

[@robertpolityka8464]

This should be a National Landmark

[@nata3467]

Great story!!! So horrific what was done to our Native Americans ...and continued abuse and lack of respect. Assimilation ended up not being the answer , but I am sure Curtis was honest in his thinking it would save them.

[@jleigh4886]

How wonderful to learn the native ways as a youth and then the western ways later.

[@danielstanwyck2812]

fascinating. hadn't a clue until this broadcast. i doubt that many had. this should be all over the news.

[@keonumland7650]

thak you

[@sterlingpless9280]

He inspires me to help them as a whole improve their way of life passionate about this

I discovered some unknown history - thank you!

[@BroKenneth6725]

It's amazing looking back at my own upbringing between the mixed cultural differences in Guyana South America. And yes I do have the essence of such memories that's why I am the way I am told.

[@kathymickelson889]

Our founders are rolling in their graves about now

[@PHlophe]

i hope they are

[@jiminykripes4937]

So sad that the U.S. government wiped out so many native American nations. So much culture destroyed forever. I hate to be a negative Nelly but just look what has been destroyed in the last 200 years in North America alone. So sad

[@HSMiyamoto]

Reportedly, Curtis is also the origin of the phrase "Goodtime Charlie," for example the song written by Danny O'Keefe and recorded by almost everybody, "Goodtime Charlie's got the Blues." Remember? Some gotta win, some gotta lose, Goodtime Charlie's got the Blues Reportedly, Curtis tried to improve the image of Hoover during the Depression by getting dressed up and going on the town with his rich friends, and the media mocked him as "Goodtime Charlie!" So that's his greatest mark on cultural history at least.

[@sterlingpless9280]

Curtis had Native American grandparents on both sides so he likes almost forty percent amazing man

[@charlesgill8822]

Native American great people of all

[@mznoofy5578]

The the blue sky for me

[@kevinbwillson4161]

Did not know this sad to learn that any native 1st Nation is having to buy back land

[@ernestchacon4928]

This is a prime example as to why Americans should be properly educated with pen and paper, a world long gone to social media and assumptions.

[@PHlophe]

Ernesto, lots of lies written on paper.

[@annamaybourdon8507]

We are NOT Indians, we are Native Anericans.

[@FLQueerLiberal1982]

While I only have fraction of a fraction of fraction of native blood, I'd agree. Not from India. Side note: Recently, I saw a meme where a girl told a native to move back to India if they didn't like it here. Stupidity.

[@melissanolan9159]

... the story seems to be in good faith and then people start saying “Indian”... super ignorant

[@DarhaLB]

I appreciate you saying that. I loved playing Cowboys and Indians when I was a child I always had moccasins up to the knee and I called them my Indian moccasins and I’ve always loved everything about a native American culture. But thank you for sharing because I never ever knew that could would be an insult. No disrespect ever but now I know. Even when we sat down we called it sitting down Indian style. Are we cross our legs? So what do we call sitting down like that now?

[@FLQueerLiberal1982]

@@DarhaLB cross-legged. And there was probably a time natives weren't offended by "Indian," until they learned that their being called that was a mistake. Columbus thought he had landed in India. Indian is a misnomer.

[@dobbysboggart6883]

I don't like the term "Native American," because it implies that whites, blacks, and Asians are still strangers here.

[@kelgreen99]

2:49 looks like a very young Burt Reynolds!! I think he had Native roots also.

[@bicknell67]

Wow I had no idea

[@dannyshipley7590]

2nd American/Indian in history is gonna be "Deb Haaland"....,if confirm.....to hold the highest position in Biden's Cabinet....as a Interior Sec. Congratulations to the both of EM

[@sterlingpless9280]

Seems this is inspiring lol is telling you that man he's what 31.5% he was a lot love this guy

[@jessicalow9163]

So sad 😭

[@abdenbichikoun2652]

Michel de Montaigne "Real science is ignorance that is known "

[@salilbhatnagar]

Holy sht why didn't I learn this in school?

[@fancynex]

Is there anyone from the Kaiserreich?

[@fancynex]

C O M P R O M I S E

[@mzk123ify]

Wow did they leave out a lot. Did not even mention the Curtis Act that dismantled Indian governments and courts. Love how we edit history. You can see in her face she was trying to be polite when asked how they feel about him.

[@gabesegun7966]

So why the dislikes? ??????

[@paulvmarks]

Charles Curtis was correct - communal land holding and endless free stuff from tribal governments does-not-work. If you think it does work - then look at Pine Ridge or many other places where communal property holding (rather than individual private property in land) and benefits and services from government have been tried and have clearly failed.

[@minah27]

Uhhhh the reporter was giving the right to still call Native Americans “ Indians” 🤔 ? Maybe I’m wrong?

[@garym3839]

Rules for the, not for me. Always 😉

[@dobbysboggart6883]

Today's white, black, and Asian Americans are just as native as today's Cherokees, Sioux, and Navajos.

[@Kahtisemo]

Its a bit like the "Blacks" vs "African American" debates. And sometimes that just has to do personal identity. Some embrace one term while the other is insulted within the same community. I live in Oklahoma and I hear both "Native American" and "Plains Indian" used a lot.

[@ElusivePlatypus96]

My school district voted to remove the name of Hoover from our elementary school. Damn shame we just erase that history.

[@williamdalcerro9476]

Powerful story. And such stories also exist in so-called "ethnic" communities, too. Example: As we rightly celebrate Kamala Harris as our nation's first female VP, we should remember that Italian American women broke the "glass ceiling" of American politics, to wit: Ella Grasso was the first female-elected governor in her own right (1974, Connecticut); Geraldine Ferraro was the first female VP candidate on a major ticket (1984); and Nancy Pelosi was the first woman elected Speaker of the House (2006). One could likewise include Emma Bambace, who was also a civil-rights activist, being elected the first female VP of the International Ladies' Garment Workers Union in the 1950s. Ditto the early feminist leader Eleanor Smeal. Her surname? Cutri (also Italian American). Basta to media stereotypes!

[@chrisgriffiths8454]

Don't include Kamala in that list. She stands shoulder to shoulder with Pelosi as a fifth columnist and traitor

[@clutrike7956]

'I'm part of the Kaw Nation' -says the pale skinned, light brown haired, blue eyed European.

[@Don-mu2qh]

Interesting that Curtis and Obama were raised by white women and Kamala was raised by an Indian mother.

[@francisko4932]

kaiserreich

[@dveillo36]

As interesting is that Louisiana had a Black Governor in the late 1800's.

[@lightyagami3492]

Who was it? Im interested in learning about them.

[@dveillo36]

@@lightyagami3492 P.B.S. Pinchback

[@lightyagami3492]

@@dveillo36 thanks

[@oliviarodrigues2323]

Check the boarding schools and boarding school healing project. Your hand picking of people who look like you but are not you will never rewrite the damage you did of the true native population.

[@Rckstrroma5]

I’m sooo happy that kamala will be a person of color AND A ACTUAL FEMALE, it’s always been men But I do love this video, I love learning

[@Said-zl2xc]

That doesn't mean she is going to be good though.

[@chrisgriffiths8454]

You mean Kamala is the first colored person to be VP? Sorry I mean person of color.

[@mysterioustiings9909]

Yet again, the American school system failing.

[@rabby77777]

she wanted people to remember him in a good way .. nope she tells lies

[@ryanmcinnis8190]

The quirky mile monthly confess because mole precisely applaud an a automatic dugout. apathetic, careful active

[@rarekeelijo13]

He is known but probably not remembered well by indigenous people because he advocated policies that were actually harmful to our self-determination and tribal sovereignty. Like expanding the Dawes act which in part opened tribals lands to non-native purchasers or promoting assimilation so that our hundreds of years of culture would be lost.

[@robertkertoikromo8643]

why are they poor..,, it is there land...

[@dobbysboggart6883]

Because reservations only serve to isolate Native Americans from America's prosperity. I say it's time to absorb them.

[@timlangdon6448]

Like I said in my beginning statements.. we should celebrate each month a different nationalities and a different race., And different cultures.. because of bottom line is we're all one country we should work to that ultimate goal.

[@dobbysboggart6883]

@@timlangdon6448 ... Let's not devote any month to any ethnicity. Let's maintain human unity all year long.

[@timlangdon6448]

@@dobbysboggart6883 that is true in a sense but to do that you got to have a understanding of what people are going through in life.... In the struggles and the fights in the wars and the conflicts that they have arrived to where they are right now in life.... Because school does not paint a true picture of the world world in general.... Especially on mother's day it should be a picture of a mother that's outstanding mother of all time. And I would nominate Emmet till, mother for the position... Because she did not back down.

[@Uvoted4this]

Another FIRST in Politics. BOTH the president & vice got elected by Laying On Their Backs.

[@stoundingresults]

🤸🏻‍♂️🤸🏾‍♀️

[@CooperDianeBob]

He looks very white

[@timlangdon6448]

So what's your point..????, If we came from Adam and Eve I guess we all are one family... The family of the human race.......

[@PHlophe]

timmy, his point is that the guy just isn't native. but its true that we all came from a black mother and black father. there is no such thing as Adam und Eva.

[@timlangdon6448]

@@PHlophe My friend for a starters you spelled Adam and Eve wrong.. you spell the word and wrong... But thank you for your comment to me,, I love your reply because that what makes everything go we have the right who disagrees with each other opinions.... I just believe in the Bible King James Bible... That's where I get my information from.. but thank you for your comment.

I'm surprised any Minority was in top government during this country's most vile racist period.

[@Clyde.artwork]

I'm so sick of "first....to do something". I'm so sick of someone's race or gender or sexual orientation meaning anything at all! All of this is progressive clap trap. Who cares.

[@muddywisconsin]

It’s easy for many to say that when they haven’t been oppressed for generations, the first to be sometning is meaningful for the many kids who hadn’t seen a black President, it’s meaningful for the many girls who haven’t seen a female president or vice, if you haven’t been oppressed or discriminated against for generations it’s easy to think this is dumb, but it is it not, this is important, many other countries are way ahead of us when it comes to having minority senators or minority presidents or prime ministers

[@Clyde.artwork]

@@muddywisconsin let me know when I'm allowed to celebrate Brent Barry as the first white guy to win the NBA dunk contest or the first all-white 4x100 olympic relay team. It sounds ridiculous to even say. All of this is ridiculous. Either race and gender matter or they don't. Both will have unintended consequences but we have to play it fairly and evenly.

[@Kahtisemo]

@@Clyde.artwork except there's nothing stopping you from celebrating that. The first to do anything is always important, but the first to break a streak is also important. That's we both celebrate Charles Lindbergh was the first to fly a plane over the Pacific AND we celebrate Amelia Erheart as the first woman to do it. Why such a big deal? Because women had been told they didn't have the strength or endurance or mental focus to do it like a man could. And she proved that logic wrong. Or getting into sports, how often in the Olympics we see "The first time this country has ever won" or even "the first to represent their country" regardless if they did well, they at least made it in at the internationals It's less about "well it's been done before" and more proving that "and for all those who said (minority) couldn't do it, they just proved they can."

[@Clyde.artwork]

@@Kahtisemo charles lindbergh wasn't celebrated as the champion of white people for what he did. Amelia earnhardt was only celebrated because men and women were thought of as being different and we're in fact tested differently. In the age we're living in, where liberals and feminists have told us for decades there's not a single difference between the races and genders....at that point it does mean a thing that a black does something or a woman does something. We're all equal, we're all on par, we're all at the same level. To continue to celebrate these differences as being special....you put people into different camps, different boxes, you separate them into groups. Are blacks or women any less capable of achievement? It's absurd. And no one has said "they (race or gender) can't do that" for several decades. You're kicking a dead horse. You're virtue signaling and using it as a political cudgel and cultural wedge.

[@Kahtisemo]

@@Clyde.artwork "In the age we're living in... there's not a difference between races and gender" is part of the point. We KNOW there's no reason why minorities and women can't do anything they put their mind to, so it's a question why it hasn't happened yet. If it was no big deal, why did it take decades or even centuries for there to be a first? So when a first does happen, it's worth noting. For many white firsts, it was just the first and gets hailed as a huge step in overall human endurance or ingenuity. So it seems silly to say "first white" when of course they are no one else had done it period. For most minorities, it becomes personal so it's a barrier breaker *for their people* since we know the question of it can be done was already proven by a white man. But seeing your arguments with the other comments, I don't suppose there's anything I could say to change your mind so bye?

[@evad520]

The white man still thinks we're from India. LOL!!!!!!

[@PHlophe]

that's like Caucasian australians calling aboriginal Black fellas. no difference

[@bwayne8276]

$5.00 Indians. Whatever. FOH

[@chigginskeywest]

Which goes to show just how worthless the title is. What does a vice president do anyways? Nothing. It's just a title.

[@PHlophe]

chadwick aVP back then was ceremonial at best. IN 2020 , watch Kamala makes move. she is already the +1 vote in the senate

[@xoxoxoxoxo7997]

This show seems really liberal agenda driven. I've only watched a couple of times but that's my take

[@ladydeerheart1]

Stop. Just stop.

[@yodapappacards]

Biden 2020

[@CG-jz9ms]

Any history that doesn’t praise Washington or Lee or only white men Is LiBErAL to right wingers so suck it up buttercup

[@kunik61]

Make a Native a President.