Native America and Hispanic Cultures in Michigan - Research Paper Example

Native America and Hispanic Cultures in Michigan This paper will explore two cultures in the of Michigan – the Native American and Hispanic Cultures. The aim is to achieve a wider understanding of these ethnic groups and to relate the cultural investigation to my teaching profession and consequently be able to use them in order to effectively educate my students. According to the 2008 United States Census Bureau statistics the population of American Indians in Michigan constitute 0.6 percent of the population or more than 60,000 people while Hispanics constitute 4.1 percent of the population, which is about 400,000 individuals. (US Bureau of Census 2008) I will address these two cultures separately in this paper but that both would be examined through the same parameters as demonstrated by the concept maps previously drafted. The parameter worked around three issues. These are education, family traditions and political background. I believe that these factors collectively characterize the wider cultural characteristics of the subject cultures. In regard to education, it varies through time and across cultures and so, it is necessary in establishing the cultural background of an ethnic group. Family traditions, meanwhile, reflect the way of life of the ethnic groups and, hence, demonstrate their culture. Finally, the political background was included in order to determine the minorities’ views on social issues in the context of their way of lives. These three variables characterize the cultural dimensions required in order for me to achieve my objectives. The methods employed for the research of sources used is a mix of first-hand interview, first-hand sources from government publications and research of second-hand sources from available literature such as books, journal and magazine. In regard to internet sources, the keywords used in the research include “Michigan demographics,” “Michigan Native Americans,” “Michigan education statistics,” and “Michigan voters profile.” The main search engine used was Google. I think the most important sources would be the government data from the US Bureau of Census as they represent the holistic status of the both the ethnic groups demography and cultural background. Because of this, it became easier to compare specific characteristics. The first-hand sources and interviews are also important because they allowed me to confirm and experience the major findings of the research. Because of this I was able to synthesize all the information that I was able to collect from all the relevant literature available through cross-referencing especially using the materials that corroborated each other. I. EDUCATION The Education Trust’s Education Watch cited key education facts that covered the achievement and attainment for Native Americans and Hispanics alike. This is shown in the table below, which specifically compare the demographic distribution of students from the two groups taken from the wider constitution of ethnic diversity across each educational level. It shows what happens Native Indian and Hispanic to students as they journey through the education system. Michigan Students’ Demographics Group Population, age 5-21 Public K-12 Two Year College Four Year College Native American 1 percent 1 percent 1 percent 1 percent Hispanic 4 percent 3 percent 2 percent 2 percent African American 17 percent 20 percent 11 percent 11 percent Asian 2 percent 2 percent 2 percent 4 percent White 77 percent 75 percent 76 percent 74 percent Total 100 percent 100 percent 100 percent 100 percent Number 2,834,197 1,711,950 193,385 374,246 (source: Education Trust 2003, p. 7) The six-year graduation rate data as shown above demonstrated almost equal percentage of students for the two ethnic groups: 74 percent for Hispanics and 73 percent for Native Americans. This data is important because it highlights, the participation, persistence and eventual completion in postsecondary education, which enable individuals to better qualify for opportunities in the job market. Presently, professional, specialty and household occupations were the top occupations for Native Americans while the Hispanic workers tended to be concentrated in the less skilled, lower paying occupations. (US Bureau of Census 1995) Latest studies in Michigan, however, placed nearly a quarter of Hispanics employed in service occupations and a quarter as operators, fabricators and laborers. (Rosenbaum 1997) II. FAMILY TRADITIONS Native Americans The family traditions of Native Americans have always been many and varied primarily because the peoples of these cultures self-consciously distinguish themselves from their neighbors. (Neusner, p. 10) There are eleven federally recognized Indian tribes in Michigan today. These tribes include the Fox and Sauk, Kickapoo tribe, Menominee tribe, Miami tribe, Ojibwe tribe, Potawatomi tribe, Huron tribe and Ottawa tribe. (Native Languages 2009) Each of these tribes has its own different language, distinctive homes and styles of clothes. In addition, every tribe has its own rules in defining marriages, with some following patrilineal traditions and others, matrilineal. All the Native American groups have distinctive cultures that tell unique stories, perform unique rituals and follow specific ritual leaders and medicine societies. These cultural factors force us to think Native Americans in Michigan as diverse. One sees this demonstrated in Nokomis Learning Center wherein Native American artifacts from the different tribes of the past and present are on display. Ojibwe Oral Teachings The Native American Oral tradition represents a unique circumstance in which culture could prove to be problematic when it comes to education. Native American languages are not written. An example is the Ojibwe Oral Teachings. The one I was able to listen to was the one delivered by Earl Otchingwanigan. The Ojibwe Oral Teachings as told by Otchingwanigan was composed of stories such as the Wolf and Man. This ethnic groups’ traditions are composed of stories told orally, passed from generation to generation. Because of this, two factors emerge: 1) the Native American traditions are in danger of extinction as more and more Indians learn the English language and as the curricula in the American educational system continue to be insensitive to this challenge; and, 2) some tribes could resist education because it goes against their tradition and way of life. Hispanic An important characteristic of the Hispanics in Michigan in terms of family traditions was the Catholic values derived from their Spanish roots. This is reflected in the Hispanic family, which is characterized by closed familial ties, conservative values and conservative attitude towards marriage and in raising children. For instance, according to a study conducted by Shreck (1998), Hispanics believe that the age 22 is the desired age at marriage for women. The Hispanic Fiesta Hispanics of all backgrounds regain a sense of identity through participation in cultural events such as Detroit’s annual “Unity in the Community” festival in Clark Park and the June Mexican town Fiesta. These events feature traditional Hispanic food and entertainment, artists’ exhibitions and even the Mexican rodeo. The festival or the Hispanic “fiesta” is perhaps demonstrative of the Hispanic traditions best. It has deep religious roots and includes colorful festivity and sumptuous feasts. An Activity in the Annual Unity in the Community Source: (Mische 2008) III. POLITICAL BACKGROUND Native American There is sparse literature in regard to the voting behaviors of the Native Americans in the US. This is also true in Michigan. According to David Wilkins (2006), there are a number of reasons why so few data exists on Native American participation during elections, which would have reflected the positions they would take on issues such as abortion, which party they support in the American elections, among others. First, many Indians live in remote areas in the country; and secondly, there are obvious language, technological and cultural barriers present. (p. 207) These factors make survey research difficult. Nonetheless, there appears to be lukewarm response from the Native Americans in regard to participation in the political process and taking stand on issues. In some of my interviews with Native Americans in my community, there appears to be a prevailing indifference to politics as most are preoccupied with their own troubles and would rather address their own concerns than be proactive on issues such as education, abortion and marriage. Vigorous party encouragements still fail to bring Native Americans to the fold. (p. 206) A 32-year old interviewee, belonging to the Huron tribe, for instance, has never voted ever in his life and have no plans in doing so in the future. (Zane 2009) Hispanics Currently, Hispanics continue to seek self-propelled mechanisms for political empowerment. Because of socioeconomic and other factors, Michigan Hispanics are underrepresented in the state’s politics. The characteristic of this ethnic group, however, in regard to its political background is widely varied. According to David Badillo (2003), the fundamental barrier that prevents its members - the Mexicans, Puerto Ricans, Cubans and other Hispanic groups - from uniting, keeping them from pooling their resources and energy is the lack of unified cultural identity that transcends nationalism. (p. 59) The offshoot is that there is a diffusion of perspectives in regard to positions taken in and support given to political parties during election or to issues during the electoral exercise. However, two important factors do unite Hispanics in Michigan: religion and the working class background. Catholicism requires Hispanics to take conservative views on abortion and married life. The working class background, meanwhile, leads them toward support for the Republican Party, although such support is beginning to erode since 2006. (Campo-Flores 2006) IV. ANALYSIS The Native American and Hispanic cultures are similar in at least three respects. First, they have close family oriented traditions, which result to more conservative and culturally influenced attitudes towards education and the wider realm of socio-political environment. Second, both of these ethnic groups are employed in the lower-paying occupations. And, finally, to some extent they are underrepresented in Michigan leadership, at least until recently when Hispanics are starting to be elected in some high positions in the state government. There are a number of differences between the Native Americans and Hispanics. But I will outline only those within the parameters of this study. First, the Native American population is considerably small compared to the Hispanics and this has an effect on their state representation and, certainly, in their collective behavior as a people in terms of their relationship with other groups in the American society. Then, the tradition of Native Americans is very much different from the mainstream Michigan society. They tend to be isolationist, living in rural areas. Hispanics, however, tend to be more susceptible to integration. In fact, efforts are being made in order for them to be represented in Michigan politics. And so, there are less significant cultural factors that resist the education and other socio-political services and exercises in the state. Finally, there is the fact that the Native American language do not have a written form and, hence, its culture is more in danger of extinction as they assimilate to the American society and modern values slowly finds its way in their midst. Hispanics do not have this disadvantage. With the educational data, particularly in the educational attainment rate from grade school through post secondary education allows the government and teachers to fill the gap in regard to the distribution of resources and the implementation of effective curricula. Here, I believe that good teachers are important in order for the students belonging to ethnic majority to excel in studies. The knowledge of ethnic diversity and understanding of social and cultural differences of the Native Americans and Hispanics as outlined by this paper would allow me as a teacher to be more effective professionally with the acquisition of a wider perspective in addressing the complex academic needs of a diverse body of students. For instance, the absence of written language for Native Americans required a different approach to their instruction. Here, consideration and understanding is required in regard to the students’ capacity to cope with the medium of instruction and also sensitivity and respect to their culture, which in this case might be on the verge of extinction. In addition, my investigation of the two ethnic groups allowed me a closer inspection on the economic status of students and how this might affect interactions within the classroom. For example, children coming from Hispanic households may have different attitudes from white or black students and that possible conflicts from their political and racial background could hinder instruction if not addressed. Finally, the political background, especially of the Native Americans, is a particularly helpful insight in regard to the tendency of the ethnic group to be less participatory in mainstream activities not just in politics but in education as well. So, this factor must also be considered in formulating teaching strategies which aim to encourage attendance and class involvement from students coming from all ethnic groups. Legend for Sources Government Source Primary Source Secondary Source Internet Source References Badillo, D. (2003). Latinos in Michigan: Discovering the peoples of Michigan. MSU Press. Campo-Flores, A. (2006). “A Latino Spanking.” Retrieved Oct. 20, 2009, from Newsweek Web site: http://www.newsweek.com/id/43950 US Bureau of Census. (2008). State and County QuickFacts: Michigan. Retrieved Oct. 21, 2009, from US Bureau of Census Web site: http://quickfacts.census.gov/qfd/states/26000.html US. Bureau of Census. (1995) .Selected Social and Economic Characteristics for the 25 Largest American Indian Tribes. Retrieved Oct. 20, 2009, from US Bureau of Census Web site: http://www.census.gov/population/socdemo/race/indian/ailang2.txt Education Trust. (2003). Education Watch: Key Education Facts and Figures. Achievement, Attainment and Opportunity. Washington, DC.: Education Trust. Mische, J. [Photograph of Detroit Annual Fiesta]. (2008). Detroit, Michigan. Native Languages. (2009). "Native American Tribes of Michigan.” Retrieved Oct. 21, 2009, from Native Languages Organization Web site: http://www.native-languages.org/michigan.htm Neusner, J. (2000). World religions in America: an introduction. 2nd ed. Westminster John Knox Press. Otchingwanigan, E. (2009). Perf. The Wolf and Man. Michigan. Rosenbaum, R. (1997). “Migration and Integration of Latinos into Rural Midwestern Communities.” Retrieved Oct. 20, 2009, from Michigan State University Web site: http://migration.ucdavis.edu/cf/more.php?id=156_0_2_0> Shreck, L., (1998, September). Expectations About Marriage and Childbearing Vary By Race and Ethnicity Among Girls in Grades 6-8. Family Planning Perspectives (September 1998 issue). Michigan: Gale Group. Wilkins, D. (2006). American Politics and American Politica. Rowman and Littlefield. Zane, L. (personal communication, October 19, 2009) Read More