The Astounding Story of the Repatriations of Henry Opukaha Ia And Albert Afraid Of Hawk

Have you ever heard of the remarkable repatriations of Henry Opukaha Ia and Albert Afraid Of Hawk? These two individuals endured incredible journeys and faced insurmountable challenges to return to their homelands, leaving an indelible mark on history. Read on to discover the inspiring tales of these two brave souls.

Henry Opukaha Ia: Reclaiming His Native Identity

In the early 19th century, Henry Opukaha Ia, a native Hawaiian, was taken captive by British explorers who visited the island. He was vulnerable and far from home, yet his spirit remained unbroken. Forced into a life he never chose, Opukaha Ia was determined to find his way back to his beloved Hawaiian islands.

Over the years, Opukaha Ia faced countless hardships, enduring physical labor, cultural oppression, and the loss of his ancestral language. Nevertheless, his longing to reconnect with his roots never wavered. He spent years learning about his Hawaiian heritage, always hoping for a chance to return.

The Long Journeys Home: The Repatriations of Henry 'Opukaha'ia and Albert Afraid of Hawk

by Lynne Anne Blom (Kindle Edition)

4.9 out of 5

Language	:	English
File size	:	4755 KB
Text-to-Speech	:	Enabled
Screen Reader	:	Supported
Enhanced typesetting	:	Enabled
Word Wise	:	Enabled
Print length	:	322 pages
Lending	:	Enabled

FREE

Finally, after decades of yearning, Opukaha Ia saw an opportunity that he could not let slip away. With the assistance of sympathetic individuals, he successfully navigated a treacherous journey, spanning thousands of miles, to reach the Hawaiian islands once again. His emotional reunion with his people was a testament to the unbreakable bond between a person and their homeland.

Albert Afraid Of Hawk: A Hero's Journey

The story of Albert Afraid Of Hawk, a Lakota Sioux warrior, is also one of resilience and triumph. Born in the late 19th century, Afraid Of Hawk witnessed the invasion of his land and the suppression of his people's way of life. His resolve to protect his culture, traditions, and ancestral lands propelled him forward.

Afraid Of Hawk became a brave warrior, known for his strategic brilliance and unwavering dedication to the Lakota Sioux tribe. However, as the US government attempted to force Native Americans onto reservations, Afraid Of Hawk found himself torn between his duty as a warrior and his yearning to safeguard his people's future.

Driven by an unbreakable spirit, Afraid Of Hawk undertook a treacherous journey, battling the harsh elements and evading pursuers, to reach the heart of Lakota Sioux territory. His return was not just a physical homecoming but a spiritual awakening for his tribe. Afraid Of Hawk's courage became a beacon of hope as he rallied his people to defend their precious heritage.

The Legacy Lives On

The repatriations of Henry Opukaha Ia and Albert Afraid Of Hawk serve as both a testament to the resilience of the human spirit and a reminder of the untold stories that history often overlooks. These remarkable individuals overcame immense adversity to reclaim their identities and honor their heritage.

Today, their legacies inspire countless others who face similar struggles in their quest for belonging and self-discovery. The stories of Opukaha Ia and Afraid Of Hawk remind us of the importance of cherishing and preserving our cultural roots, no matter how far we may stray from them.

As their triumphs echo through the annals of time, we are reminded that the journey home is not just a physical one, but a journey of the soul, a journey towards reclaiming our true selves.

In

The repatriations of Henry Opukaha Ia and Albert Afraid Of Hawk will forever be etched in history as symbols of courage, resilience, and the power of the human spirit. These extraordinary individuals braved unimaginable odds to return to their homelands, defying the forces that sought to erase their identities.

Their stories serve as a reminder that no distance, no obstacle, and no amount of oppression can sever the unbreakable bonds between individuals and their roots. Through their unwavering determination, Opukaha Ia and Afraid Of Hawk ensured that their heritage would remain alive, guiding generations to come.

The Long Journeys Home: The Repatriations of Henry 'Opukaha'ia and Albert Afraid of Hawk

by Lynne Anne Blom (Kindle Edition)

4.9 out of 5

Language	:	English
File size	:	4755 KB
Text-to-Speech	:	Enabled
Screen Reader	:	Supported
Enhanced typesetting	:	Enabled
Word Wise	:	Enabled
Print length	:	322 pages
Lending	:	Enabled

FREE

The moving stories of two Indigenous men in the United States and the return of their remains to their homelands.

Henry ‘Opkaha‘ia (ca. 1792–1818), Native Hawaiian, and Itankusun Wanbli (ca. 1879–1900), Oglala Lakota, lived almost a century apart. Yet the cultural circumstances that led them to leave their homelands and eventually die in Connecticut have striking similarities. p kaha ia was orphaned during the turmoil caused in part by Kamehameha’s wars in Hawai’i and found passage on a ship to New England, where he was introduced and converted to Christianity, becoming the inspiration behind the first Christian missions to Hawai’i. Itankusun Wanbli, Christianized as Albert Afraid of Hawk, performed in Buffalo Bill’s “Wild West” to make a living after his traditional means of sustenance were impacted by American expansionism. Both young men died while on their “journeys” to find fulfillment and both were buried in Connecticut cemeteries.

In 1992 and 2008, descendant women had callings that their ancestors “wanted to come home” and began the repatriation process of their physical remains. Connecticut state archaeologist Nick Bellantoni oversaw the archaeological disinterment, forensic identifications, and return of their skeletal remains back to their Native communities and families. The Long Journeys Home chronicles these important stories as examples of the wide-reaching impact of American imperialism and colonialism on Indigenous Hawaiian and Lakota traditions and their cultural resurgences, in which the repatriation of these young men have played significant roles. Bellantoni’s excavations, his interaction with two Native families, and his participation in their repatriations have given him unique insights into the importance of heritage and family among contemporary Native communities and their common ground with archaeologists. His natural storytelling abilities allow him to share these meaningful stories with a larger general audience.

“Bellantoni recovers from obscurity the remarkable life journeys, dreams, and deaths of two Native men and the two worlds they lived in.” —Paul Grant-Costa, Yale Indian Papers Project

“Based on meticulous forensic research, Bellantoni’s tale of two indigenous youth from different cultures and time periods, and their struggles to survive cultural upheavals, clearly reveals the chaotic effects of American colonialism on Native peoples. The book is a major contribution to the field of Postcolonial Studies.” —Lucianne Lavin, author of Connecticut‘s Indigenous Peoples