Thirst for land, resources and opportunity drove a major human migration over the American continent. But the shout of “terra nullius” or “empty land!” belied a Native occupancy of long-standing, with civic and religious institutions grown of long-term human inhabitation. Violent conflict over lands, peoples and cultures marks much of the history of America. As Native peoples increased their knowledge of the new social reality, new strategic potentials arose in health, education, governance and cultural revitalization.
