Episode Summary:

In this episode of Case by Case: Five Stones and Goliath, hosted by Larkin Moran. Sits down Thomas E. Smith, a lineal descendant of the Minnesota Mdewakanton Dakota Sioux, to share a deeply personal story of ancestry, identity, and the fight for federal recognition.

Thomas explains how generations of Dakota descendants were disconnected from their heritage through displacement, policy, and the blood quantum system. He walks listeners through the difference between blood quantum and lineal descent, why identity matters beyond percentages, and how thousands of descendants remain unrecognized despite documented lineage.

The conversation centers on restoring identity, preserving history, and the hope that federal recognition can help reconnect families to their roots. Thomas also discusses The Last Winter Count, a documentary aimed at telling this story and ensuring it is not lost to history.

Key Takeaways:

1. Why lineal descent matters more than blood quantum
2. How identity can be lost without recognition
3. The human impact of denied tribal status
4. Preserving history for future generations

Golden Nugget:

“Identity doesn’t disappear with time, only recognition does.”

Learn More:

Documentary: The Last Winter Count (coming soon)

Listen Now & Subscribe:

Available on Spotify, Apple Podcasts, YouTube, Amazon Music, or wherever you get your podcasts.