John Sutter - What We Didn't Learn In School

This video is the first in a series that will explore the history of systemic racism in the Sacramento region in order to provide a historical context for the issues that affect our community today. Here, we focus on John Sutter and his impact on the Native communities of Sacramento then and now. Featured in the video are historian Albert Hurtado, author of "John Sutter: A Life on the American Frontier"; John Fraser, Capital District superintendent for California State Parks; Dahlton Brown, executive director of administration at Wilton Rancheria; Jesus Tarango, tribal chairman of Wilton Rancheria; and Nancy Jenner, curator of Sutter’s Fort State Historic Park.
The Center for Sacramento History was asked to produce this series by the City of Sacramento’s Manager’s Office. Particularly since the death of George Floyd in May 2020, we have confronted our traditional understanding of national, state, and local history. As we have done so, we have found holes in the historical narrative that leave out entire communities, realities, and perspectives. These videos are our attempt to tell a more accurate and complete story. While some might feel this is “revising” history, we disagree and believe we are bringing to light the stories of those who have been left out, so we can engage in a conversation and exploration of the past in order to help us navigate a more equitable future.
Special thanks to our Historical Advisors:
Dr. Lorena V. Márquez, Professor, Department of Chicana/o Studies, UC Davis
Dr. Milmon Harrison, Professor of African American Studies, UC Davis
Clarence Caesar, Historian