Native Americans in Shorto's work

Shorto’s work encompasses many different aspects of New York’s discovery and settlement by Europeans. The author does a fantastic job of illustrating the tumultuous relations between European nations, namely England and the Netherlands, which helped shaped the small outpost into the thriving metropolis that it is today. Furthermore, Shorto acknowledges to the many Native American nations whose influence on New York is of vital importance. Often times the history of the Americas is examined through a Eurocentric lens where the influence of native peoples is largely ignored. The Island at the Center of the World not only illustrates the importance of these people but also does justice to their diverse cultural heritage and tragic down fall.
There are two separate groups of Indians that Shorto discusses at length. These groups are defined not by culture but merely geography. The tribes to the north, specifically the Mohawk and Mahican, were very different culturally and linguistically but are often grouped together by Shorto because there geography afforded them similar treatment from the Europeans to their south. The tribes to the South, specifically the Wickquasgeck, Tappan, Raritan and Hackinsack, were embroiled in conflict with Dutch settlers because of their proximity to Manhattan.
Shorto points out that there are two stereotypes that make it difficult for us to understand these people, “The one arose from the long cultural dismissing of American Indians as ‘primitive’, and the modern dogma that sees them as Noble and Defenseless” (50-51). He goes on to illustrate that neither or these perceptions is correct. His examples of Native American culture show how these people were just like us in their capacity to be benevolent, vengeful, rash and intelligent as any European. Although they may not have been technologically advanced by European standards, these people had a profound effect on the history of New York.
The southern group of Indian’s that inhabited the area served as invaluable guides in the very early years of Dutch settlement. They were involved in the exchange of land all around Manhattan including the Island itself. These peoples understanding of real estate, which Shorto explains in great detail, indicates that they were not duped into selling their land at unreasonably low costs but in fact benefited from the protection and trade with Europeans that came back to them via these exchanges. The many conflicts between these groups and the European settlers also had a profound effect on the area. Kieft’s war and the Council of Blood “became ingrained in the national psyche” (125). The opposition of many Dutch settlers to war with the Native Americans would have profound effects throughout Dutch states.
The northern group of Indians was also very important to the development of New York. Shorto points out that the trade of Beaver pelts was extremely important to the early economy of New Amsterdam. It was the Mohawk and Mahican tribes that were responsible for trapping the Beavers and shipping the pelts to the Hudson River where they could be exported. Without the contributions of these peoples, it is likely that the economic history of New York would have been profoundly different.
In reading this work I was struck by Shorto’s treatment of the many Indian nations around Manhattan. He gave a detailed account of their cultural diversity and ways of life. His discussion of the many conflicts with Europeans illustrated not only the tragic bloodshed, most notably Kieft’s war and Peach war, but also the unique place of Native Americans in helping to shape modern day New York.