213:, father of John Ridge, also participated in the polarizing signing of the Treaty of New Echota. He grew up as a traditional hunter and Indian warrior, fighting against the American occupation of the Cherokee Nation. He then established, alongside his friend John Ross, a three-part Cherokee government, serving as a counselor, in 1827. When choosing to promote the treaty, he and Ross were divided by their beliefs, each siding with opposite sides of the controversy. Major too moved to the Indian Territory with John Ridge and their family following the completion of the treaty. On June 22, 1839, Major was assassinated in retribution for signing the treaty, while on his way to his plantation in the Indian Territory.
238:. She is currently the Executive Director of Yale's Indigenous Performing Arts Program as well as a lawyer and partner of Pipesterm Law firm, specializing in Native Americans' and their Nations' rights and freedoms. Nagle has stated that her background as a lawyer has provided her with knowledge of the harmful narratives created about Native Americans in American law and society. She said arguing for the rights of her people has led her to realize that in order for change to be made, people need to know the story of the Native American peoples and their experiences—that is where theatre plays into her goal of spreading awareness of Native American issues.
219:, Principal Chief of the Cherokee Nation from 1828 to 1866, was initially close with Ridges prior to the treaty. Under his leadership and working alongside Major Ridge in the National Council of the Cherokee he convinced the Cherokees to begin changing their economy from hunting to agriculture, starting up plantations and owning slaves. The split between the Cherokee Nation began when Ross refused to sign the treaty, leading to his arrest without charge. While being detained, Major Ridge and the Treaty Party signed the Treaty of New Echota, ceding their lands to the United States.
252:
peoples. Such a theme is represented through the medium of telling a story through performance itself, perpetuating the tradition of oral history. The notion of reclaiming historical voice is also represented through the play's casting, with all Native
American characters being played by actors and actresses of Native American descent. The term additionally relates to the struggle of sovereignty Native American women may face when seeking agency over their bodies in the face of sexual assault and rape, which they are twice as likely to experience when compared to other races.
189:
180:, were members of what was known as the "Treaty Party," which was the group of Cherokees who saw the removal from their land as inevitable and believed they should negotiate and cooperate. Other Cherokee members were vehemently opposed to the signing because they did not want to leave their land. This polarized climate is a major detail in the familial context of the lawyer, Sarah Polson, in the play. Due to the conflict over the treaty, Cherokee tribesmen assassinated Major and John Ridge in 1839 as a form of political retribution.
161:
172:, the treaty which the Ridges signed, was signed on December 29, 1835. The treaty ceded all Cherokee lands east of the Mississippi River to the United States and promised a perpetual opportunity of expansion for the Nation west. The signing of the treaty was controversial within the Cherokee Nation, as people were both in favor and opposition of the treaty.
199:, also referred to as Skah-tle-loh-skee, was part of an influential family in the Cherokee Nation. Through the "Treaty Party," acknowledging that Indian Removal was imminent, he supported the creation of a treaty with the United States, which would include the protection of Cherokee rights. He and other members of the party were opposed by Principal Chief
279:
states how Native
American and white populations must face the past, allowing one group to begin healing and the latter to understand forgiveness within the particular context. Commencing this process, according to the actress, would allow all parties to create a future with improved relations—rather
265:
are more than twice as likely to experience post-traumatic stress disorder when compared to the rest of the population. Native
American demographics also have a life expectancy lowered by six years in comparison to the general U.S. population, as well as possess a doubled chance of living in poverty.
260:
The plot's transitions between past and present serve to reveal how past, historical actions inflict influence on the present day. Depicting descendants from major Native
American historical figures additionally proves the dynamics between ancestral and current descendants, shaping past, present, and
148:
alternates between the 1830s and present-day
America. The present-day story follows Polson and her return to the Cherokee Nation to help Native American women who have been sexually harassed through the Violence Against Women Act. The only issue is that Polson is a descendant of the Ridge family, the
292:
The play has received critique on the fluidity of the transition from past to present, and vice versa. Although a major theme of the play is the intersection of the past and present, the change is not always clear enough for the audience to pinpoint what characters are being portrayed. Despite these
251:
The play's title of "sovereignty" can relate to larger issues pertaining to the term as they are presented within various Native
American causes. One meaning of the term within the play's context is the sovereignty of Native Americans reclaiming their voice in historical interpretations of their
299:
has also offered her opinion, stating that the play reveals the extent of current democracy, and information about people's human rights. Steinem praises the show's ability to educate audiences and provoke consciousness of the
American people on what they should vote for.
207:(present-day Oklahoma), two years prior to the forced removal of the majority of the Cherokees. On June 22, 1839, pro-Ross Cherokees attacked the signers of the treaty; stabbing John Ridge 48 times in front of his wife and children.
274:
While the play may assert ideas of sovereignty and belonging within the scope of several meanings, it also addresses the concept of moving on. Such concepts are brought to light with the element of past affecting present.
153:
which transferred
Cherokee land to the United States for the state of Georgia. The treaty led to the relocation of the Cherokee people in the land to Oklahoma, contributing to what is known as the
46:
and jurisdiction. She also must face the ghosts of her ancestors and the struggles they faced when signing a decisive treaty that led to the removal of the Nation from their land.
761:
160:
280:
than avoiding, ignoring or rewriting the past altogether. The actress additionally addresses
Germany's actions to remember their faults executed during the
796:
683:
261:
future actions. Past affecting present could additionally serve as a cause for Native
American marginalization and issues within reservations.
633:
262:
471:
555:
786:
531:
740:
63:
284:
as an example of being hyper aware of damages made and taking steps to commence the process of healing and forgiveness.
235:
62:
in Washington, D.C., on January 12, 2018, running until February 18, 2018. A print edition of the play was published by
188:
293:
issues, many have applauded the play's ability to teach about legal matters while also entertaining the audience.
216:
200:
133:
104:
417:
317:
393:
791:
711:
231:
169:
150:
59:
442:
781:
227:
36:
318:"Sovereignty Regional/National Tours @ Arena Stage - Kreeger - Tickets and Discounts | Playbill"
164:
The Cherokee who did not support the New Echota Treaty sent this petition to the Senate in 1836.
755:
742:
Gloria Steinem, Mary Kathryn Nagle and Molly Smith — "Sovereignty" post-show discussion Part 1
479:
341:
204:
97:
658:
367:
40:
579:
39:. The play revolves around Cherokee lawyer Sarah Ridge Polson's battle to reinstate the
296:
157:. Polson's family members are buried in a family cemetery in the Oklahoma reservation.
154:
87:
775:
281:
110:
682:
American Psychological Association, Office of Minority and National Affairs (2010).
556:"John Ross facts, information, pictures | Encyclopedia.com articles about John Ross"
17:
276:
210:
173:
120:
55:
43:
607:
203:. After the signing of the treaty, in 1836, the Ridge family relocated to the
196:
177:
114:
503:
483:
126:
Dorea Schmidt: Sarah Bird Northrup / Flora Ridge / Offstage Woman's Voice
418:"Theatre Review: 'Sovereignty' at Arena Stage | Maryland Theatre Guide"
634:"Arena Stage makes closing argument for Native American 'Sovereignty'"
684:"Mental Health Disparities: American Indians and Alaska Natives"
712:"Review: 'Sovereignty' at Arena Stage - DCMetroTheaterArts"
54:
The original production was directed by American director
472:"Fighting for Native Americans, in Court and Onstage"
35:
is a play written by American lawyer and playwright
659:"Victims of Sexual Violence: Statistics | RAINN"
58:. The play premiered through Arena Stage at the
734:
732:
601:
599:
8:
760:: CS1 maint: numeric names: authors list (
606:Oregon Shakespeare Festival (2018-01-11),
234:and later received her Juris Doctor from
230:completed her undergraduate education at
609:Why theatre? Mary Kathryn Nagle responds
187:
159:
149:infamous Cherokee family who signed the
447:Encyclopedia of American Indian Removal
309:
753:
511:Cherokee Heritage Documentation Center
628:
626:
624:
263:Native Americans in the United States
7:
465:
463:
580:"Mary Kathryn Nagle - Pipestem Law"
25:
797:Works about the Cherokee Nation
374:. Northwestern University Press
129:Todd Scofield: White Chorus Man
470:Collins-Hughes, Laura (2018).
1:
532:"Major Ridge (ca. 1771-1839)"
443:"Treaty of NEw Echota (1835)"
346:Northwestern University Press
64:Northwestern University Press
288:Criticism and interpretation
813:
739:arenastage1 (2018-01-31),
691:www.integration.samhsa.gov
192:Cherokee Chief Major Ridge
27:Play by Mary Kathryn Nagle
93:Kyla GarcĂa: Sarah Polson
536:New Georgia Encyclopedia
372:nupress.northwestern.edu
270:Healing and forgiveness
256:Past affecting present
193:
165:
787:Plays set in Oklahoma
441:Martin, Jill (2011).
232:Georgetown University
191:
163:
141:Historical background
123:/ Rodger Ridge Polson
560:www.encyclopedia.com
170:Treaty of New Echota
151:Treaty of New Echota
50:Original production
716:DCMetroTheaterArts
476:The New York Times
422:mdtheatreguide.com
398:www.arenastage.org
228:Mary Kathryn Nagle
194:
166:
37:Mary Kathryn Nagle
18:Sovereignty (Play)
236:Tulane Law School
184:Character history
41:Cherokee Nation's
16:(Redirected from
804:
766:
765:
759:
751:
750:
749:
736:
727:
726:
724:
723:
708:
702:
701:
699:
697:
688:
679:
673:
672:
670:
669:
655:
649:
648:
646:
645:
630:
619:
618:
617:
616:
603:
594:
593:
591:
590:
576:
570:
569:
567:
566:
552:
546:
545:
543:
542:
528:
522:
521:
519:
517:
508:
500:
494:
493:
491:
490:
467:
458:
457:
455:
453:
438:
432:
431:
429:
428:
414:
408:
407:
405:
404:
390:
384:
383:
381:
379:
363:
357:
356:
354:
352:
338:
332:
331:
329:
328:
314:
205:Indian Territory
98:Samuel Worcester
86:Joseph Carlson:
82:
81:
77:
21:
812:
811:
807:
806:
805:
803:
802:
801:
772:
771:
770:
769:
752:
747:
745:
738:
737:
730:
721:
719:
710:
709:
705:
695:
693:
686:
681:
680:
676:
667:
665:
657:
656:
652:
643:
641:
632:
631:
622:
614:
612:
605:
604:
597:
588:
586:
578:
577:
573:
564:
562:
554:
553:
549:
540:
538:
530:
529:
525:
515:
513:
506:
502:
501:
497:
488:
486:
469:
468:
461:
451:
449:
440:
439:
435:
426:
424:
416:
415:
411:
402:
400:
392:
391:
387:
377:
375:
365:
364:
360:
350:
348:
340:
339:
335:
326:
324:
316:
315:
311:
306:
290:
272:
258:
249:
244:
225:
186:
143:
96:Michael Glenn:
83:
79:
75:
73:
72:
60:Kreeger Theater
52:
28:
23:
22:
15:
12:
11:
5:
810:
808:
800:
799:
794:
792:American plays
789:
784:
774:
773:
768:
767:
728:
703:
674:
650:
620:
595:
571:
547:
523:
495:
459:
433:
409:
385:
366:Staff Writer.
358:
333:
308:
307:
305:
302:
297:Gloria Steinem
289:
286:
271:
268:
257:
254:
248:
247:Double meaning
245:
243:
240:
224:
221:
185:
182:
155:Trail of Tears
142:
139:
138:
137:
130:
127:
124:
117:
108:
105:Elias Boudinot
101:
94:
91:
88:Andrew Jackson
71:
68:
51:
48:
26:
24:
14:
13:
10:
9:
6:
4:
3:
2:
809:
798:
795:
793:
790:
788:
785:
783:
780:
779:
777:
763:
757:
744:
743:
735:
733:
729:
717:
713:
707:
704:
692:
685:
678:
675:
664:
663:www.rainn.org
660:
654:
651:
639:
635:
629:
627:
625:
621:
611:
610:
602:
600:
596:
585:
581:
575:
572:
561:
557:
551:
548:
537:
533:
527:
524:
512:
505:
499:
496:
485:
481:
477:
473:
466:
464:
460:
448:
444:
437:
434:
423:
419:
413:
410:
399:
395:
394:"Sovereignty"
389:
386:
373:
369:
368:"Sovereignty"
362:
359:
347:
343:
342:"Sovereignty"
337:
334:
323:
319:
313:
310:
303:
301:
298:
294:
287:
285:
283:
278:
269:
267:
264:
255:
253:
246:
241:
239:
237:
233:
229:
222:
220:
218:
214:
212:
208:
206:
202:
198:
190:
183:
181:
179:
176:and his son,
175:
171:
162:
158:
156:
152:
147:
140:
135:
131:
128:
125:
122:
118:
116:
112:
111:Kalani Queypo
109:
106:
102:
99:
95:
92:
89:
85:
84:
78:
70:Original cast
69:
67:
65:
61:
57:
49:
47:
45:
42:
38:
34:
33:
19:
746:, retrieved
741:
720:. Retrieved
718:. 2018-01-28
715:
706:
694:. Retrieved
690:
677:
666:. Retrieved
662:
653:
642:. Retrieved
640:. 2018-01-22
637:
613:, retrieved
608:
587:. Retrieved
584:Pipestem Law
583:
574:
563:. Retrieved
559:
550:
539:. Retrieved
535:
526:
514:. Retrieved
510:
504:"John Ridge"
498:
487:. Retrieved
475:
450:. Retrieved
446:
436:
425:. Retrieved
421:
412:
401:. Retrieved
397:
388:
376:. Retrieved
371:
361:
349:. Retrieved
345:
336:
325:. Retrieved
321:
312:
295:
291:
273:
259:
250:
242:Major themes
226:
215:
209:
195:
167:
145:
144:
119:Andrew Roa:
53:
31:
30:
29:
277:Kyla Garcia
211:Major Ridge
174:Major Ridge
146:Sovereignty
132:Jake Waid:
121:Major Ridge
103:Jake Hart:
56:Molly Smith
44:sovereignty
32:Sovereignty
782:2018 plays
776:Categories
748:2018-03-28
722:2018-03-28
668:2018-03-27
644:2018-03-27
615:2018-03-28
589:2018-03-19
565:2018-04-06
541:2018-04-06
489:2018-03-19
427:2018-03-17
403:2018-03-27
327:2018-03-23
304:References
223:Playwright
197:John Ridge
178:John Ridge
136:/ Jim Ross
115:John Ridge
66:in 2020.
484:0362-4331
452:March 19,
282:Holocaust
217:John Ross
201:John Ross
134:John Ross
756:citation
516:April 6,
322:Playbill
696:6 April
378:23 July
351:29 June
107:/ Watie
100:/ Mitch
482:
74:": -->
687:(PDF)
507:(PDF)
90:/ Ben
762:link
698:2018
638:WTOP
518:2018
480:ISSN
454:2018
380:2019
353:2023
168:The
76:edit
778::
758:}}
754:{{
731:^
714:.
689:.
661:.
636:.
623:^
598:^
582:.
558:.
534:.
509:.
478:.
474:.
462:^
445:.
420:.
396:.
370:.
344:.
320:.
113::
764:)
725:.
700:.
671:.
647:.
592:.
568:.
544:.
520:.
492:.
456:.
430:.
406:.
382:.
355:.
330:.
80:]
20:)
Text is available under the Creative Commons Attribution-ShareAlike License. Additional terms may apply.
