In March, 1973, as part of a project at the University of New Mexico, I asked a university librarian who discovered Europe. She couldn’t answer other than to say Europe is just there. I explained to her that America wasn’t “discovered” until someone from far away found it. Someone from far away had to “discover” Europe.

Six months later, Adam Fortunate Eagle answered my question. The Fallon, Nevada Native planted a spear at Rome’s International Airport and claimed Italy for the Chippewa Nation. On Sept. 24, 1973, someone had finally discovered Europe.

The Natives of Europe owe Adam Fortunate Eagle a big debt of gratitude. If it weren’t for him, the Natives today would be the ignorant, primitive savages they before Sept. 24, 1973.