At America's founding, who was entitled to life, liberty and the pursuit of happiness?

This was the topic of discussion at a recent event at the Connecticut Museum of Culture and History. Connecticut Public special correspondent Diane Orson led a panel discussion with several Native American historians.

Today, we listen back to that conversation. It's an extension of Still Here: Native American Resilience in New England — a special series from Connecticut Public, featuring radio storytelling, in-depth videos, digital stories, pictures and a community conversation.

Guests:
Lorén Spears: Executive Director of the Indigenous-led Tomaquag Museum in Rhode Island
Nakai Clearwater Northup: Manager of Public Programs and Outreach at the Mashantucket Pequot Museum and Research Center
Ned Blackhawk: Professor of History at Yale University and author of "The Rediscovery of America: Native Peoples and the Unmaking of U.S. History"

This episode originally aired on April 23, 2026.

At America's founding, who&nbsp;was entitled to life, liberty and the pursuit of happiness?
This was the topic of discussion at a recent event at the&nbsp;<a href="https://www.connecticutmuseum.org/event/ken-burns-the-american-revolution/">Connecticut Museum of Culture and History</a>. Connecticut Public special correspondent Diane Orson led a panel discussion with several Native American historians.
Today, we listen back to that conversation. It's an extension of&nbsp;<a href="https://www.ctpublic.org/still-here-native-american-resilience-in-new-england">Still Here: Native American Resilience in New England</a>&nbsp;&mdash; a special series from Connecticut Public, featuring radio storytelling, in-depth videos, digital stories, pictures and a community conversation.
Guests:
<ul>
<li>Lor&eacute;n Spears:&nbsp;Executive Director of the Indigenous-led&nbsp;<a href="https://www.tomaquagmuseum.org/">Tomaquag Museum in Rhode Island</a></li>
<li>Nakai Clearwater Northup:&nbsp;Manager of Public Programs and Outreach at the&nbsp;<a href="https://www.pequotmuseum.org/">Mashantucket Pequot Museum and Research Center</a></li>
<li>Ned Blackhawk:&nbsp;Professor of History at Yale University and author of&nbsp;<a href="https://yalebooks.yale.edu/book/9780300276671/the-rediscovery-of-america/">"The Rediscovery of America: Native Peoples and the Unmaking of U.S. History"</a></li>
</ul>
This episode originally aired on April 23, 2026.

Produced by Connecticut Public, 'Where We Live' puts Connecticut in context. Host Catherine Shen brings us fascinating, informed, in-depth conversations and stories beyond news headlines.  We start local, but we take time to explore domestic and international issues and consider how they impact us personally and here at home.

Produced by Connecticut Public, '<a href="https://www.ctpublic.org/show/where-we-live/about">Where We Live'</a> puts Connecticut in context. Host Catherine Shen brings us fascinating, informed, in-depth conversations and stories beyond news headlines.  We start local, but we take time to explore domestic and international issues and consider how they impact us personally and here at home.

Where We Live is a call-in talk show about who we are in Connecticut and our place in the world.

Where We Live

Produced by Connecticut Public, '<a href="https://www.ctpublic.org/show/where-we-live/about">Where We Live'</a> puts Connecticut in context. Host Catherine Shen brings us fascinating, informed, in-depth conversations and stories beyond news headlines.  We start local, but we take time to explore domestic and international issues and consider how they impact us personally and here at home.