The True Story Behind Disney's Pocahontas

Published by: The Indigenous Foundation

Date: July 23, 2021

This lecture covers the real story of Pocahontas, contrasting it with the depiction in Disney's popular film. The real narrative is one of tragedy and violence rather than romance.

Historical Inaccuracies and Whitewashing

Name and Identity:
- Pocahontas was known by her birth name, Amonute, and her secondary name, Matoaka, meaning "flower between two streams."
- Disney's film altered these personal aspects, contributing to historical inaccuracies.
Relationship with John Smith:
- Disney portrayed Pocahontas as romantically involved with John Smith; however, historically, Pocahontas was about 9 or 10 years old when Smith arrived, and they were never romantically involved.
- Smith, known for his violence, was feared by many Indigenous tribes.

Violence Against Indigenous Women and Girls

Dangers in the 1600s:
- The era was dangerous for tribes near Werowocomoco due to English colonizers.
- Colonizers targeted women and children; many Indigenous girls were victims of sexual violence.
Kidnapping and Tragedy:
- Pocahontas was kidnapped, forced to give up her first child, and her husband, Kocoum, was killed.
- Captain Samuel Argall abducted her, leveraging her status to manipulate her father.
- She was traded for a copper pot by colonizers, symbolizing the disregard for Indigenous lives.
Life in Captivity and England:
- Pocahontas was taken to England, reportedly raped and abused, gave birth to another child, Thomas, and converted to Christianity with the name Rebecca.
- Used as a political symbol to show peace between settlers and Indigenous groups.
- Her meeting with John Smith in England led to her expressing anger over his role in colonist injustices.

Death and Legacy

Circumstances of Death:
- Pocahontas died suddenly in England, under suspicious circumstances, before reaching 21.
- Despite her family's wishes, she was buried in Gravesend, England.
- Her father reportedly died from grief shortly after her death.

Disney's Romanticization of Pocahontas

Misrepresentation and Impact:
- Disney's portrayal romanticizes Pocahontas's life, masking the traumatic impact of colonization.
- This false narrative obscures the harsh realities faced by Indigenous peoples, including the tragic true story of Pocahontas.

References