Native Americans Influenced History More Than We Realize | Zachary Rothmier

Long before any settlers set foot on what is now US soil, the land was inhabited by a vast number of individual cultures celebrated by tens of millions of people. But the way it’s taught in the current school system, it would be easy to think that settlers simply wiped them out upon arrival and built their civilizations on top of them. While there are aspects of this that are true, there are also a ton of modern-day concepts and historical events that were heavily influenced by Native Americans.

Food Crops

We usually learn about why we associate Thanksgiving with Native Americans, but few are aware that roughly 60% of the current global staple crops originated in the Americas. To name just a few: potatoes, corn, peanuts, chocolate, wild rice, turkey, cranberries, tomatoes, squash, sunflower seeds, and no less than 14 varieties of beans. This massive influence on worldwide cuisines has been overshadowed over the decades, but these crops – and the knowledge required to successfully grow them – originated from Native American tribes and their intimate understanding of the flora and fauna that surrounded them.

Conservation Practices

Modern conservation efforts have risen and died in their time – with global warming and massive pollution bearing down on us, the concept is on our minds more than ever before. But these practices aren’t new to most Native American tribes – a deep respect for the land and carefully cultivated understanding of it has been present in many different Native American cultures for thousands of years. Strategies that allowed them to work with the land, rather than on it, are now being looked to for inspiration to combat the new problems we humans have created for the planet.

Names

You might be a bit more aware of this part, but it’s still important to note that Native American words are now the names of thousands of places and objects across the United States. No fewer than 21 US states carry names derived from various indigenous languages, as well as uncountable numbers of cities, landmarks, rivers, forests, and many more.

About the Author: Zachary Rothmier

As the Acting Executive Director of the Denver City Council, Zachary Rothmier is responsible for overseeing the legislative branch's operations. He has been involved in the development and implementation of numerous internal processes and procedures. As a thought leader in the government affairs community, Zach is dedicated to serving the best interests of the people in his community. This desire motivates him to work hard to make sure that the council's operations are conducted smoothly.

Throughout his career, Zach has maintained his level of professionalism. He and his team are dedicated to ensuring that the Denver City Council's mission is carried out in a way that is beneficial to the people of the city.

Besides working at the council, Zach enjoys spending time with his family and friends by playing golf and embracing woodworking. These hobbies allow him to relieve his daily stress and connect with people he meets.

Prior to becoming the Acting Executive Director of the council, Zachary Rothmier was a government affairs professional. He started his political career in 2006, first as an Enrolling clerk in the House of Representatives in Denver, Colorado. As an officer, he was responsible for preparing legislation.

Before he became a political professional, Zach had numerous degrees from various universities. These educational institutions allowed him to gain a deeper understanding of his industry and improve his analytical skills.

A self-motivated individual, Zachary Rothmier is committed to improving himself both personally and professionally. His track record of success has shown that he is capable of handling various tasks efficiently. He is a detail-oriented professional who is capable of keeping up with the demands of his job.

Learn more at ZacharyRothmier.com!