The Indigenous People

Paper Summary:

This paper explains that, historically, integration of non-native and indigenous peoples, such as the exploits of Christopher Columbus, the people of the South American Rainforest, the native American and the Canadian indigenous population, has been sad. The author points out that insights into the economic and political ways of modern day indigenous people show that they can expect upheaval and turmoil when the western ways are forced on them. The paper relates that there is value in preserving native beliefs such as the shaman, which is the indigenous equivalent to medicine men and women, because, today, there is clear evidence that the basic principles of shamanism are a universal phenomenon with similar methods and beliefs, which can contribute to modern psychology and medicine.

From the Paper:

"At no other time in our history have there been as many technological advances available to bring the indigenous world into the modern world so seamlessly. For example, through technological advances like the internet, an indigenous aboriginal Australian can email an Eskimo friend in Northern Alaska to discuss their common friend who resides in the rainforest of South America and later in the same day, each of these indigenous people can see their respective shaman for an exorcism. But cultivating the ancient natives is a costly process. Present day Mexico for example is struggling to find itself and once great nations of Aztecs, Mayans and Toltecs has been immersed into a state of continuous economic and political upheaval. These transformations have indigenous people around the world exposed to the whims of the industrialized nations and ideologies like capitalism, socialism and communism."

More papers on The Indigenous People:

• Essay # 61680 : "The Indigenous People of Australia"
• Essay # 5141 : "Indigenous People"
• Analytical Essay # 141722 : "Anthropology of Indigenous People"

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