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Linford Fisher

@linford.bsky.social

Early American historian @ Brown University; author of Stealing America; The Indian Great Awakening; Decoding Roger Williams; Reading Roger Williams. PI for @stolenrelations.bsky.social; father of four; loves to sail, run, hike, and run.

290 Followers  |  181 Following  |  40 Posts  |  Joined: 25.08.2023
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Posts by Linford Fisher (@linford.bsky.social)

Really proud of this team for their work on the @stolenrelations.bsky.social project!

27.02.2026 19:25 β€” πŸ‘ 0    πŸ” 0    πŸ’¬ 0    πŸ“Œ 0
Blizzard 2026 drone shots
YouTube video by Fisher Drone Blizzard 2026 drone shots

As a way to document the Blizzard of 2026 from the air, here's a compilation of drone shots I took during and after storm. youtu.be/qKGG9g4nq9I

25.02.2026 03:53 β€” πŸ‘ 1    πŸ” 1    πŸ’¬ 0    πŸ“Œ 0

Thanks, Betsy -- there will be book launch on April 24 at the JCB! Hope you can make it.

21.02.2026 18:58 β€” πŸ‘ 1    πŸ” 0    πŸ’¬ 1    πŸ“Œ 0
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Okay, I had to join the cool kids and document the arrival of the first copies of my book, Stealing America! Author's copies landed super early from @liveright.bsky.social and @wwnorton.com and they did a fantastic job. Available for pre-order now; official pub date is April 28.

19.02.2026 20:51 β€” πŸ‘ 5    πŸ” 2    πŸ’¬ 1    πŸ“Œ 0
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Call for Proposals β€” Β 350th Anniversary of King Philip's War/Metacom's Rebellion - Historic Deerfield Historic Deerfield is hosting a one-day conference next year to commemorate the 350th anniversary of King Philip’s War/Metacom’s Rebellion, with the goals of helping a broad audience learn more about ...

Academic and Native friends, please share this CFP and/or consider submitting a proposal! The organizers would love perspectives from outside the academy as well.

www.historic-deerfield.org/call-for-pro...

12.01.2026 18:11 β€” πŸ‘ 29    πŸ” 31    πŸ’¬ 0    πŸ“Œ 2
Stealing America: The Hidden Story of Indigenous Slavery in U.S. History|Hardcover Epic and groundbreaking, Stealing America boldly rewrites American history by putting Native enslavement and rampant land theft at the epicenter of our nation’s past.Indigenous enslavement was a...

I'm currently booking speaking events and classroom Zoom presentations, so feel free to DM me if you are interested. Available April 28, 2026, wherever you purchase your books, including B&N: www.barnesandnoble.com/w/stealing-a...

05.01.2026 22:04 β€” πŸ‘ 3    πŸ” 1    πŸ’¬ 0    πŸ“Œ 0

I'm so grateful for the kind blurbs from colleagues in the field and the beautiful artwork of Silvermoon LaRose (and grateful the design team included it on the back of the cover, too!).

05.01.2026 22:04 β€” πŸ‘ 2    πŸ” 0    πŸ’¬ 2    πŸ“Œ 0
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With all of the craziness out there, we have to celebrate the small joys, right? I received the (uncorrected) full dust jacket for my forthcoming book from @liveright.bsky.social and @wwnorton.com and it made my day.

05.01.2026 22:04 β€” πŸ‘ 29    πŸ” 12    πŸ’¬ 2    πŸ“Œ 0
Conference on Religions and Freedom c. 1776 | John Carter Brown Library

Academic friends, please consider submitting a proposal for the Conference on Religions an Freedom c. 1776, held June 4-6 in Providence and jointly organized by @ctrrelpol-washu.bsky.social and @jcblibrary.bsky.social. Deadline is Dec. 30.

jcblibrary.org/events/confe...

22.11.2025 13:47 β€” πŸ‘ 3    πŸ” 1    πŸ’¬ 0    πŸ“Œ 0
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The hidden history of Indigenous slavery in New England and beyond It's a surprising and overlooked story, a blind spot in the narrative of early America: the hidden history of Indigenous slavery. As colonial powers took over Native land, white settlers were enslavin...

Grateful for the good work of @ctpublic.bsky.social in airing this segment, which features the voices of regional tribal members and also mentions the @stolenrelations.bsky.social project. www.ctpublic.org/2025-11-14/i...

17.11.2025 16:02 β€” πŸ‘ 3    πŸ” 4    πŸ’¬ 0    πŸ“Œ 0

(1/5) Today begins Native American Heritage Month. This is a month to celebrate contemporary Native people and their ancestors in the United States, and the rich cultures, languages, and traditions that have existed and continue to exist on this land.

02.11.2025 02:21 β€” πŸ‘ 7    πŸ” 4    πŸ’¬ 1    πŸ“Œ 0
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OI Digital Projects Coffeehouse - OIEAHC Begun in winter 2021 as a way of bringing people together virtually while the pandemic kept us apart physically, the OI Coffeehouse has proven a valuable online gathering place for many in the early A...

Friends, feel free to tune into the Digital Projects Coffeehouse hosted by the Omohundro Institute at William & Mary for a presentation on the @stolenrelations.bsky.social project! Tuesday, November 11, 12 noon EST. Registration and info here: oieahc.wm.edu/events-overv...

07.11.2025 23:38 β€” πŸ‘ 0    πŸ” 0    πŸ’¬ 0    πŸ“Œ 0
Marc Lobliner post on X: "Why the hell are we giving food stamps to 40 million people?

Does anyone work anymore?"

Marc Lobliner post on X: "Why the hell are we giving food stamps to 40 million people? Does anyone work anymore?"

SNAP isn't about "people who don't work." It's about people who don't get paid enough to live.

Of the 40 or so million people who rely on food stamps:

* Two-thirds are children, seniors, or disabled

* Most working-age adults who receive SNAP are employedβ€”but in jobs that pay poverty wages

27.10.2025 00:48 β€” πŸ‘ 20661    πŸ” 7549    πŸ’¬ 795    πŸ“Œ 451
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Amazing No Kings protest today in Providence -- so great to be with like minded folks here and millions more across the nation to march against racism and bigotry. We can do better than MAGA and the embarrassment that is Trumpism.

19.10.2025 02:25 β€” πŸ‘ 7    πŸ” 2    πŸ’¬ 1    πŸ“Œ 0
Canyon de Chelly ultra marathon, October 11, 2025
YouTube video by Linford Fisher Canyon de Chelly ultra marathon, October 11, 2025

One week ago my daughter and I ran the Canyon de Chelly ultra marathon in Chinle, AZ. It was rainy, muddy, soggy, and just incredible all around. I made a little video that documented our experiences, including a few of the 50-60 water crossings over the 32.5 miles. www.youtube.com/watch?v=uRaR...

18.10.2025 15:56 β€” πŸ‘ 2    πŸ” 0    πŸ’¬ 0    πŸ“Œ 0
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Galleys! Very excited to receive these from @liveright.bsky.social, even if the official pub date is a long way off (April 28, 2026). Pre-order it now! a.co/d/4ZdEjXu

30.09.2025 20:38 β€” πŸ‘ 9    πŸ” 1    πŸ’¬ 0    πŸ“Œ 0
The Rhode Island Historical Society Mary Elizabeth Robinson Research Center, in Providence, Rhode Island

The Rhode Island Historical Society Mary Elizabeth Robinson Research Center, in Providence, Rhode Island

An example of a document from the Rhode Island Historical Society: 
This Indenture made the [empty space] day of June In the yeare one thousand seven Hundred and fifteene wittnesseth that Bette Tientiahchu widow to the Late Deceased John Tientiahchu Indian and Inhabitant within the Township of Providence In the Colony of Road Island and said providence plantations Have by these presents put placed and Bound my Daughter Hannah Tientiahchu being a fatherlis Child as a servant with Martha Sheldon of the Town of providence and Colony of Road Island a fore said and as a servant with her the said Martha Sheldon to Dwell Her Heirs and Assigns from the day of the Date of these presents untill the said Hannah shall Come to be of the Age Eighteene yeares the said Hannah being at the time of the Insealing and Deliveri of these presents Come to be of the Age of ten [empty space] by and Durering all which time and terms the said Hannah shall Her said mistris Martha Sheldon well and faithfully serve In all such Lawfull business as the said Hannah shall be put unto according to her power will and ability and Honestly and obediently In all things shall Behave Her self towards her said mistirs: and orderly and Honestly towards all the family of the said Martha Sheldon: and the said Martha Sheldon for her part promiseth the said Hannah In the knowledg and occupation of House Hold work which she useth after the best manner that she Can or may coach or Instruct or Cause to be taught and Informed as much as there Unto Beloungeth or In any wise appertaineth and also Dureing all the said terme to find unto the said servant meat Drink Linnin woollen Hose shoose and other things needfull or meet for a servant and to Let the said Hannah have two sutes of apparriel at the End of said terme one for Holladaies and another for worke daies In witness where I have here unto set my Hand and seal the Day and yeare first above written

Signed sealed and Delivered

In the presence of ^^^^^

An example of a document from the Rhode Island Historical Society: This Indenture made the [empty space] day of June In the yeare one thousand seven Hundred and fifteene wittnesseth that Bette Tientiahchu widow to the Late Deceased John Tientiahchu Indian and Inhabitant within the Township of Providence In the Colony of Road Island and said providence plantations Have by these presents put placed and Bound my Daughter Hannah Tientiahchu being a fatherlis Child as a servant with Martha Sheldon of the Town of providence and Colony of Road Island a fore said and as a servant with her the said Martha Sheldon to Dwell Her Heirs and Assigns from the day of the Date of these presents untill the said Hannah shall Come to be of the Age Eighteene yeares the said Hannah being at the time of the Insealing and Deliveri of these presents Come to be of the Age of ten [empty space] by and Durering all which time and terms the said Hannah shall Her said mistris Martha Sheldon well and faithfully serve In all such Lawfull business as the said Hannah shall be put unto according to her power will and ability and Honestly and obediently In all things shall Behave Her self towards her said mistirs: and orderly and Honestly towards all the family of the said Martha Sheldon: and the said Martha Sheldon for her part promiseth the said Hannah In the knowledg and occupation of House Hold work which she useth after the best manner that she Can or may coach or Instruct or Cause to be taught and Informed as much as there Unto Beloungeth or In any wise appertaineth and also Dureing all the said terme to find unto the said servant meat Drink Linnin woollen Hose shoose and other things needfull or meet for a servant and to Let the said Hannah have two sutes of apparriel at the End of said terme one for Holladaies and another for worke daies In witness where I have here unto set my Hand and seal the Day and yeare first above written Signed sealed and Delivered In the presence of ^^^^^

(1/3) The Rhode Island Historical Society, a historical society based in Providence, RI, which maintains the Mary Elizabeth Robinson Research Center, is another example of the range of sources used to find unfree Native people across the historical record.

#history #indigenoushistory #research

30.09.2025 19:37 β€” πŸ‘ 3    πŸ” 1    πŸ’¬ 1    πŸ“Œ 0
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CBH Talk | Stolen Relations: Recovering the History of Native American Enslavement | Brooklyn Public Library The Stolen Relations project is a tribally collaborative initiative to recover, interpret, and share with the public the long-hidden history of Native American enslavement. Developed over the past dec...

New York City folks -- come learn more about the @stolenrelations.bsky.social project at the Center for Brooklyn History / Brooklyn Public Library on October 20! Also streaming. www.bklynlibrary.org/calendar/cbh...

18.09.2025 15:02 β€” πŸ‘ 1    πŸ” 2    πŸ’¬ 0    πŸ“Œ 0
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(1/3) Stolen Relations is proud to be partnering with the Tomaquag Museum to produce exhibits on Indigenous unfreedom and its effects on Indigenous people in the modern world. They will be coming to the Tomaquag Museum in Exeter, RI, and to Brown University in Providence, RI in the near future.

26.08.2025 03:58 β€” πŸ‘ 2    πŸ” 2    πŸ’¬ 1    πŸ“Œ 0

Definitely interested if the @stolenrelations.bsky.social project would appeal to folks.

26.08.2025 23:58 β€” πŸ‘ 1    πŸ” 1    πŸ’¬ 0    πŸ“Œ 0

Yay!! Super congrats -- can't wait to read the final product!! That cocktail is well deserved.

22.08.2025 12:25 β€” πŸ‘ 1    πŸ” 0    πŸ’¬ 1    πŸ“Œ 0

(2/3) Two of these essays, β€œA Brief History of Indigenous Enslavement and Servitude” and Indigenous Freedom Suits and the Problem of the Law” were written specifically for the project. These essays allow for better understanding of the scope of Stolen Relations and the primary sources it utilizes.

30.06.2025 23:06 β€” πŸ‘ 3    πŸ” 1    πŸ’¬ 1    πŸ“Œ 0
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(1/2) A new blog post has been published on the Stolen Relations blog at stolenrelations.org/blog/stolen-relations-launch-symposium-summary-pictures-and-videos/! With photos and videos of the May launch symposium included in this post, the content from this symposium is now available to all.

23.07.2025 03:28 β€” πŸ‘ 3    πŸ” 3    πŸ’¬ 1    πŸ“Œ 0

(1/3) Yesterday marked 204 years since a man named William Clarke appeared in court to attempt to receive emancipation from Sir Simon Haughton Clarke’s Fathog quarter estate in Jamaica. He was described in outdated language by the court as Black and Multiracial.

26.07.2025 03:29 β€” πŸ‘ 2    πŸ” 2    πŸ’¬ 1    πŸ“Œ 0

These guys have been throwing random people into gulags without a second thought but they've suddenly rediscovered the concept of presumption of innocence

20.07.2025 19:54 β€” πŸ‘ 5740    πŸ” 1337    πŸ’¬ 64    πŸ“Œ 17
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First pass page proofs! Feelin’ pretty real…

18.07.2025 03:26 β€” πŸ‘ 0    πŸ” 1    πŸ’¬ 0    πŸ“Œ 0
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Really pleased that, after much discussion, the press decided to use the beautiful commissioned painting by the talented Narragansett artist Silvermoon LaRose. Look for the book in April 2026 (but pre-orders available now: www.barnesandnoble.com/w/stealing-a...).

01.07.2025 19:45 β€” πŸ‘ 3    πŸ” 1    πŸ’¬ 1    πŸ“Œ 0

Congrats! I hope this means we'll cross paths more frequently (again). Let's grab drinks soon.

01.07.2025 13:21 β€” πŸ‘ 1    πŸ” 0    πŸ’¬ 1    πŸ“Œ 0

(1/3) As of three days from now, 171 years will have passed since an enslaved girl named Fanny’s self-emancipation from Julia Swailer in Gretna, LA, was advertised. Fanny was noted to have been previously known as β€œIndian Fanny,” but the paper provided no tribal affiliation.

27.06.2025 20:34 β€” πŸ‘ 3    πŸ” 1    πŸ’¬ 1    πŸ“Œ 0

In 2023, residents of Tuberville's Alabama took $8k more per person than they contributed to federal revenue. Residents of CA (where lots of these "inner city rats" live), paid $2k more than they took. Residents of NY (more "inner city rats") paid $5k more than they took.

27.06.2025 20:46 β€” πŸ‘ 75    πŸ” 34    πŸ’¬ 5    πŸ“Œ 0