Bering Strait Myth
True Origins
We will offer here a very condensed explanation of the facts that clearly demonstrate that the 'Bering Strait Theory' has never graduated beyond being a theory. Before we begin, however, we would offer that no one has ever explored this myth with more research, intelligence, and eloquence than Oglala Lakota author, Vine Deloria Jr. in his best-selling book, 'Red Earth, White Lies'. Mr. Deloria held a degree in Science and a Masters in Law. Read his chapter on the Bering Strait in this book and we assure you, you will never look at this theory the same way ever again. The problem with the Bering Strait Migration Myth is that it's science is muddied by propaganda. Some objective modern science opinions have recently begun to challenge the Bering land bridge theory itself. Yes, that's right, some scientists (mostly non-American) have argued whether there ever was a land-bridge. A few decades back most books on the subject stated that it was roughly '12,000 years ago' when ancient Indigenous people supposedly migrated over the 'land-bridge' into this continent. Over the years, this number has gone up from 12,000 years, to 20,000 years, and now in recent print, we have begun to see the number placed at over 40,000 years! It seems that science history writers just move the number back whenever something Native is discovered that pre-dates the Bering Strait migration figure! We can tell you this, the American scientific approach to history as it pertains to the Indigenous people of this Turtle continent (North America) has unfortunately fallen prey to political propaganda. The result is a theory that has long been rebutted by the oral history of Native peoples.
Most U.S. History books, and many other books written about North American Indigenous people, begin by propagating the Bering Strait Myth, telling the story of thousands, even millions, of early First Nations people migrating from Siberia, crossing the 'land-bridge' of the Bering Strait at this opportune moment in time. Somehow these ancient people knew that a 'land-bridge' had formed to the distant north, and decided to leave everything they knew en-masse and make their way to a new, completely unknown land. You may be surprised to discover that the science historians who support the Bering Strait Myth also want us to believe that a plethora of animals, plants, and trees crossed over the Bering Strait into this Turtle continent. No kidding. Now, if the great migration of animals and humans really happened as they theorize, then of course, some plants and possibly even trees could have found their way to North America via the seeds in animal droppings, or perhaps seeds carried by human beings. However, that only happens if the theory is in fact, a fact, which it is certainly not. Indigenous people with great knowledge and education have long challenged the veracity of this scientific theory. We continue that challenge with this writing. Let us all finally see the Bering Strait theory for what it has always been - a myth.
Many Indigenous Nations have calendars which have been counting the years for a very long time. For example, we were once told of an ancient calendar the Mohawk Nation possesses that has been counting the winters for over 33,000 years. This pre-dates the original timeline of the Bering Strait migration theory, unless, of course, Bering Strait theory proponents decide to move the interestingly illusive time period for 'early migration' of Indians back to 50,000 years. Many American Indian early histories tell of events that took place on this Turtle continent (North America) long before any ice age. But, for political reasons, these histories have been mostly ignored. You see, the Bering Strait migration tale, in truth, is a theory that was born of the politics and propaganda of early America. In the midst of the American 'Manifest Destiny' social climate, the Bering Strait theory provided a 'scientific' means to justify the taking of ancestral Indian lands. In short, the mythical theory eased the conscience, as it was a way for land hungry immigrants to believe that, because First Nations people were only 'recent inhabitants' of this land , it was not really their 'homeland'. Therefore Indians were, in their minds, not any more the 'original people' of this land than they were. This was, and still is, the political power of the infamous 'Bering Strait theory'.
The Bering Strait theory would have us believe that all of North America was uninhabited by human beings of any kind until the supposed Bering migration. The theory contends that all the ancestors of American Indians originated in Siberia. Factual history of the ancient people of Siberia in those times indicates that these people had plenty to eat, and were very settled into their communities and the land they lived on. Bering Strait migration science historians theorize that countless thousands of people from these well established communities in Siberia, despite the fact that they had everything they needed, just left it all behind to head north into a frozen tundra to 'chase and hunt game' (which, by the way, also decided for some crazy reason to leave their rich marshlands and head for the ice). It is certainly possible that a handful of ancient Siberian people over the course of thousands of years may have found their way into the northern parts of North America. The Inuit cultures of Alaska may well carry an ancient connection with these people in their bloodlines. But this does not in any way validate the notion that North America was entirely devoid of humanity, and then suddenly became populated entirely by Siberians wandering across a suddenly revealed, temporary land-bridge.
Then there is the 'land-bridge' itself. In order to create the Bering Strait 'bridge', we first need the timeless function of the earth's wind, evaporation and precipitation patterns and norms to, all of a sudden, just change completely. The wind streams need to begin to travel south to north, instead of west to east. In order to create the Bering Strait 'land-bridge', we need to drop the water level at least 200 ft. So an enormous amount of water needs to be evaporated - about 20.82 million cubic kilometers, enough water to cover an area of 5 million square miles with a sheet of ice 1.2 miles thick. To complete the process, we need this massive evaporation to take place in the warmer climates of the south, then the moisture laden clouds need to break the natural laws of the planet and head to the far north so they can then 'dump' their precipitation as ice over the northern regions of the earth. To quote from Vine Deloria Jr., "We cannot today conceive of a natural process that would evaporate this amount of water and transport it safely from the temperate zones to ensure that it precipitated as ice in Canada." As you can see, when you begin to explore the facts, it becomes more and more difficult to validate the Bering Strait theory as little more than a myth which was born of the political propaganda of the 'Doctrine of Discovery' and Manifest Destiny. A myth which has come to be accepted as fact. The vast majority of Native people of this Turtle continent did not 'migrate' to this land. They have always been here.
You may notice that we keep italicizing the word theory. Our reason for doing this is that we feel it is very important to note that this myth is still identified today as a theory, not a fact. A theory is defined as: "an offered opinion which may not positively be true." Yet this theory is taught in schools and perpetuated in museums still today as if it is an irrefutable fact. It is far from the truth, and the time for it to be removed from American Indian museum entrances, and erased from the lessons and history about First Nations people is long overdue. We encourage teachers to use this document in all classrooms where it has been decided to teach the truth of Native American culture. And again, we strongly suggest you get the book by Vine Deloria Jr., Red Earth, White Lies. May you be blessed on your journey to truth.
Most U.S. History books, and many other books written about North American Indigenous people, begin by propagating the Bering Strait Myth, telling the story of thousands, even millions, of early First Nations people migrating from Siberia, crossing the 'land-bridge' of the Bering Strait at this opportune moment in time. Somehow these ancient people knew that a 'land-bridge' had formed to the distant north, and decided to leave everything they knew en-masse and make their way to a new, completely unknown land. You may be surprised to discover that the science historians who support the Bering Strait Myth also want us to believe that a plethora of animals, plants, and trees crossed over the Bering Strait into this Turtle continent. No kidding. Now, if the great migration of animals and humans really happened as they theorize, then of course, some plants and possibly even trees could have found their way to North America via the seeds in animal droppings, or perhaps seeds carried by human beings. However, that only happens if the theory is in fact, a fact, which it is certainly not. Indigenous people with great knowledge and education have long challenged the veracity of this scientific theory. We continue that challenge with this writing. Let us all finally see the Bering Strait theory for what it has always been - a myth.
Many Indigenous Nations have calendars which have been counting the years for a very long time. For example, we were once told of an ancient calendar the Mohawk Nation possesses that has been counting the winters for over 33,000 years. This pre-dates the original timeline of the Bering Strait migration theory, unless, of course, Bering Strait theory proponents decide to move the interestingly illusive time period for 'early migration' of Indians back to 50,000 years. Many American Indian early histories tell of events that took place on this Turtle continent (North America) long before any ice age. But, for political reasons, these histories have been mostly ignored. You see, the Bering Strait migration tale, in truth, is a theory that was born of the politics and propaganda of early America. In the midst of the American 'Manifest Destiny' social climate, the Bering Strait theory provided a 'scientific' means to justify the taking of ancestral Indian lands. In short, the mythical theory eased the conscience, as it was a way for land hungry immigrants to believe that, because First Nations people were only 'recent inhabitants' of this land , it was not really their 'homeland'. Therefore Indians were, in their minds, not any more the 'original people' of this land than they were. This was, and still is, the political power of the infamous 'Bering Strait theory'.
The Bering Strait theory would have us believe that all of North America was uninhabited by human beings of any kind until the supposed Bering migration. The theory contends that all the ancestors of American Indians originated in Siberia. Factual history of the ancient people of Siberia in those times indicates that these people had plenty to eat, and were very settled into their communities and the land they lived on. Bering Strait migration science historians theorize that countless thousands of people from these well established communities in Siberia, despite the fact that they had everything they needed, just left it all behind to head north into a frozen tundra to 'chase and hunt game' (which, by the way, also decided for some crazy reason to leave their rich marshlands and head for the ice). It is certainly possible that a handful of ancient Siberian people over the course of thousands of years may have found their way into the northern parts of North America. The Inuit cultures of Alaska may well carry an ancient connection with these people in their bloodlines. But this does not in any way validate the notion that North America was entirely devoid of humanity, and then suddenly became populated entirely by Siberians wandering across a suddenly revealed, temporary land-bridge.
Then there is the 'land-bridge' itself. In order to create the Bering Strait 'bridge', we first need the timeless function of the earth's wind, evaporation and precipitation patterns and norms to, all of a sudden, just change completely. The wind streams need to begin to travel south to north, instead of west to east. In order to create the Bering Strait 'land-bridge', we need to drop the water level at least 200 ft. So an enormous amount of water needs to be evaporated - about 20.82 million cubic kilometers, enough water to cover an area of 5 million square miles with a sheet of ice 1.2 miles thick. To complete the process, we need this massive evaporation to take place in the warmer climates of the south, then the moisture laden clouds need to break the natural laws of the planet and head to the far north so they can then 'dump' their precipitation as ice over the northern regions of the earth. To quote from Vine Deloria Jr., "We cannot today conceive of a natural process that would evaporate this amount of water and transport it safely from the temperate zones to ensure that it precipitated as ice in Canada." As you can see, when you begin to explore the facts, it becomes more and more difficult to validate the Bering Strait theory as little more than a myth which was born of the political propaganda of the 'Doctrine of Discovery' and Manifest Destiny. A myth which has come to be accepted as fact. The vast majority of Native people of this Turtle continent did not 'migrate' to this land. They have always been here.
You may notice that we keep italicizing the word theory. Our reason for doing this is that we feel it is very important to note that this myth is still identified today as a theory, not a fact. A theory is defined as: "an offered opinion which may not positively be true." Yet this theory is taught in schools and perpetuated in museums still today as if it is an irrefutable fact. It is far from the truth, and the time for it to be removed from American Indian museum entrances, and erased from the lessons and history about First Nations people is long overdue. We encourage teachers to use this document in all classrooms where it has been decided to teach the truth of Native American culture. And again, we strongly suggest you get the book by Vine Deloria Jr., Red Earth, White Lies. May you be blessed on your journey to truth.