American Indian History - Research Paper Example

Feb 14th American Indian is a term that describes indigenous people in an area where they lived formany years but later came to be conquered by other people. American Indians lived in their land, forming tribes, hunting for their livelihood and generally prospered. These people were peaceful and enjoyed being creative, valued family, as well as prayer. Nature was one of the most important things in their lives, and they respected it in utmost faith since it was considered a present from God. American Indians believed they occupied their land since the beginning; although, others claim they migrated from Siberia to their present land. The American Indians lived in solitude for many years until the coming of the Europeans, who later discovered America, making things less peaceful. Indians experienced forceful eviction from their land leading to war and a lot of bloodshed. The Indians had different views of the Europeans and knew they would use different techniques to attack them, including use of military force (Nichols 3). There are Indians who supported the white men, while others refused completely to surrender even when they were subjected to harsh conditions. The Indian Revolution Act, implemented in 1830, made several tribes migrate to the Western side of the country. With the revolt against the British and formation of US, the idea of civilization was conceived, and the American Indians were prepared for assimilation into United States citizens. It was integral to have a manifested destiny, as that would favour the nationalist movements that were present. Family Structure of the American Indians The family structure of the Indians was formed in such a way that it had to be obscure that an extended family existed. An extended family that lived together in one house were enumerated as subfamily members, and all the members were related to the holder of the house. An extended family that resided in several homesteads ensured they were at a close proximity to one another. However, the families were recognised as a single entity with independent households. Both the parents and grandparents resided in a dwelling place that was mobile, and they ensured they were near the children or grandchildren. The cultural conceptions of the Indians recognised an Indian grandmother as the aunt of a child as well as the grandaunt. Extended families were responsible for the formation of kinship networks, formed based on clan memberships and not necessarily by birth, marriage or adoption. Traditional Native families retained their Indian ways and had no influence from the urban ways of life (Lamanna and Riedman 67). The Indian families relate more to people outside immediate family in a supportive way, and this is evident in the Sioux Families; where family involvement begins in the early stages of life as parents get selected for new born babies. The families strengths are seen in the helping systems present in the community at large, and they have spiritual courage that they obtain from their religion. The Indian families also have respect for one another and this is a basis they use for their later learning. American Indian Culture American Indians enjoyed freedom and contentment in their land, before corruption and other vices brought conflicts to the community (Porter 93). American Indian culture gave rise to many familiar symbols that depict struggle and triumphs, making many modern life aspects adopt them. Tepee and Peace Pipe are some of the symbols the natives used in their culture, as a tapestry of the American Native life. Everything from plants, animals, housing, to climate conditions defined the Indian culture, with their animals being referred to as spirits; despite the fact that they hunted and killed them. The Indians’ clothes were made of animal skins, and the meat was greatly revered thus it never went to waste. There was a belief that spirits lived, and were present among all the Indian tribes. American Indians participated in agricultural activities and they used dykes for covering themselves while they slept. Rain was God’s gift to them and it symbolised the changing of seasons. Totem poles, typically wooden carvings of animals, were integral in their culture and they represented family members of an individual that had passed on. The American Indians believed that every individual alive was assigned a spirit which upon death, would be absorbed into an animal. The community used a dream catcher to symbolize an individual holding onto the good things that come in life. The holes that are present on the catcher signified filtering of bad feelings and thoughts, towards an individual. The Indians used smoke to communicate to other members of the community who were at a distance, and also as a symbol of their heritage. The cultural difference present between the Native Americans and the Europeans, and the alliances that were present between different nations, led to political tensions, violence that was ethnic in nature, and a lot of disruption in the society. Many Indians suffered from various infectious diseases brought by the Europeans, and had no treatments. On the other hand, there was a unique relationship that was present between the Indians and United States, because both were members of nations that enjoyed sovereignty. Beginning 1960s, the Indians began building cultural infrastructure by founding independent newspapers and television channels, as well as publishing Native American books. Education of the American Indians The purpose of education in the Native American community was to enlighten children on survival techniques, as such children were involved in social education, and it relayed on them the responsibilities they had towards the society. Vocational education was also present in the American Natives’ education system, where issues pertaining to child rearing and home management were taught. Religion was present in each of the Indian tribes; with its role being that of educating children through stories and participation in community ceremonies. All the members of the extended family had the responsibility of teaching children by examples, and the children considered adults as their role models. European invasion brought changes to the Indians’ lives as they demanded them to do away with the American Indian traditional practices. Hell was the ultimate destination for Indians who did not let go of their past ways of life, both harmless and good customs (Reyhner and Eder 23). Europeans practiced racism and ethnocentrism, and because of the way the Europeans had these practices ingrained in them, they never appreciated the Indians. United States was established, but the Indians were still viewed as an impediment to progress. With the Bureau of Indian Affairs, the state developed schools where the Indians could be educated. But the schools had the teachers hired for various political reasons, until the federal government came up with its own school system that was influenced by the Protestants. American Indian Governments American Indians were bound to their history, through the unique political and legal systems they had in place. These systems came into place after they were engaged in various treaties, during the contacts with the discoverers of North America. As the Indians entered into treaties, their main concern was to preserve its people. The treaties were perceived as a sacred pledge between different individuals, and all the parties had to have integrity in order to enforce them. United States, on the other hand, insisted on interpretation of treaties in a rigid manner since it was to succeed many generations, as American Natives are currently dealing with myriad issues at tribal level, state level or federal level. Native Americans have embraced the idea of sovereignty in the modern times by opposing ward ship doctrines (Johansen 56). Sovereignty has been a big issue facing the Indians and it has been deterred largely by the existence of various tribes. From the time native people of North America encountered the newcomers, they recognised the sovereignty of the Indians found in that land because they had established their own laws, leaders, cities and trade routes. The immigrants made treaties with the American Indians, since the Indians had both superior military and good geographical knowledge of the area. Initial treaties recognized Indians as a separate political entity; hence, they were not subjected to United States laws. United States government made other treaties with the Indians due to several escalating conflicts, and most of these treaties ensured the Indian tribes had land cession, which was exchanged for money, goods, etc. Today, the Indian tribes provide services to its people such as hospitals, and these are as a result of the treaties made earlier by their ancestors. American Indians used mascots in their sports activities and this has been criticised as being perpetual stereotypes. European Americans claim to have a history of engaging in these sports since the eighteenth century while mascot supporters embody heroism of the Native Indian Warriors. Despite universities and other sports teams stopping the use of these images; some schools which are ranked at a lower level continue using mascots. Native Americans had a sense of tribal traditional sports as a way for reserving their culture (Delaney and Madigan 214). At the time of American Revolution, there was a possibility for the allegiance of the Indians between the British and US, and majority of the Indians sided with the British because they had a trade relationship, and had a hope of ending colonial expansion into their territory. American Indians were divided on who to support between United States and the British during the war, others decided to remain neutral. Communities that signed treaties include Lenape that sided with United States, while Oneida and Tuscarora tribes went along with the British. This revolution led to a civil war among the Native Americans. There were numerous atrocities committed during the civil war with non-combatants suffering to a high degree. The villages were destroyed by military from both sides with supply of food being reduced so that the people could not fight. The Americans continued expanding towards the Native American’s territory forcing the natives to resist, as there was an armed conflict between United States and American Indians in the west, throughout the nineteenth century. One of the victories of the Native Americans, towards United States, was in the Little Bighorn Battle which led to Sioux uprising. Contemporary Issues of the American Indians American Indians have been struggling; where amid the poverty they are facing, they are also struggling to reserve their culture. American Indians are still one of the poorest populations present in the United States (Lockwood 317). The Indians have undergone various health issues that are related to food nutrition and health practices. The Indian community has been suffering from alcoholism; and despite the government’s prohibition of its sales, most American Natives buy alcohol from nearby border towns. The Natives, upon realizing the prohibition of alcohol has not worked, came to legalise the sale of alcohol in their reservations. The tribes that have legalized the sale of alcohol have been able to generate money and kept them in their reservation economies. Revenues from the sale of alcohol have built facilities that help in improving the health of the Native Americans. Sale of alcohol improved the economy of the American Natives since it led to building of casinos for gambling as well as other enterprises. Moreover, many American Indians have entered medicine and community health fields, and the various agencies that are working for the Indians have tried sorting partnerships that enhance and respect the Native American traditions. American Indians have experienced growth since the beginning of the twenty first century; hence they have played a large role in growth of the entire American economy. The governments have been able to administer various social services, court systems, etc. and in the process ensure their vested interest in traditional cultures still exists. Association have been formed to address issues regarding law, journalism and other fields, and this has encouraged students to get professional training and development. Various contractors, both federal and non-federal which include education institutions and businesses, have to carry out employment based on equal opportunities, as well as carry out affirmative actions that do not discriminate employees or an individual applying for employment. Therefore, American Indian has been defined as a person with having an origin similar to that of North Americans, and is able to maintain tribal affiliation. Self-reporting is allowed within the American Indians because it opens an opportunity to check the box for the Indians. Gambling Industry Gambling is one of the leading industries amongst the American Indians. Native Americans were given rights to negotiate gambling, for the purpose of developing gaming facilities (Gopinarth and Siliciano 40). Casinos present in the American Indian states generate a lot of revenue, and in the end, the communities use the leverage in building a diversified economy. The American Indians have been involved in legal battles and have been recognised for having self-determination and efficient use of the resources present. Casinos have been able to bring a lot of money to the Indians, with a family having an average profit of thirty eight per cent. Presence of sovereignty among various American Native tribes was essential for American jurisprudence to be present; this assisted in implementing legislative policies amongst the American Natives. Besides many tribes having casinos, its impact has been debated based on the detrimental effect it has on the Indian culture. Works Cited Delaney Tim and Madigan Tim. The Sociology of Sports: An Introduction. Nort Carolina: Tim Dalaney and Tim Madigan, 2009. Print. Gopinarth C and Siliciano Julie C. Strategize 3e. Mason: Cengage Learning, 2009. Print. JohansenBruce Elliot. The Praeger Handbook on Contemporary Issues in Native America. Westport CT: British library Cataloguing, 2007. Print. Lamanna Mary Ann and Riedman Agnes. Marriages and Families: Making Choices in a Diverse Society. Belmont: Thomson Wadsworth, 2008. Print. Lockwood Suzzanne. Contemporary issues in Women’s Cancer. Sudbury: Jones and Barlett Publishers, 2009. Print. Nichols Roger L. The American Indian: Past and Present. Oklahoma: University of Oklahoma Press, 2008. Print. Porter Joy. Place and Native American and Indian History and Culture. Bern 9: Peter Lang, 2007. Print. Reyhner Jon Allan and Eder Jeane Oyawin. American Indian Education: A History. Oklahoma: University of Oklahoma Press, 2006. Print. Read More