Mark Charles Breaks Down Doctrine of Discovery on TEDX Talk

Published January 27, 2019

WASHINGTON — On Thursday, TEDxTysons released “We the People” talk presented by Mark Charles (Navajo) which deals with the Doctrine of Discovery.

The sub-title to Charles’ 17min. 44 sec. talk is “The three most misunderstood words.

“I wanted to educate non-Native people about the Doctrine of Discovery to a national audience,” says Charles, who has spent the past decade researching the historic document that most Americans have little–if any–knowledge.

“We the People” was taped before a live audience of about 150 on November 30, 2018.

The popular TED Talks are videos from expert speakers in a variety of subjects. TEDxTysons is an independent TEDx event, operated under the license from TED, that is part of TEDx, which allows for more capacity to spread ideas and discussions.

Mark Charles at the Indigenous Peoples March. Photo by Shane Bahn

Charles spoken dozens of time on the Doctrince of Discovery at colleges, universities, churches and conferences. He has co-authored a book on the Doctrine of Discovery that is due to be released this coming Columbus Day, not by coincidence.

Most recently Charles spoke at the Lincoln Memorial on Friday, January 18, 2019 at the Indigenous Peoples March on the subject.

Charles runs a blog called Wirelesshogan and serves as the Washington correspondent for Native News Online.