Abstract This paper discusses "Changing Hands", an art review of a major NativeAmericanart exhibit at the American Craft Museum by critic David Revere McFadden. It opens with an overview of the exhibit itself and its highlights. The review, and the critic's "authority" to report on the exhibit are then discussed. Finally, there is a commentary of the effect the critic's piece has upon one's desire to view the exhibit.
From the Paper "Changing Hands, the exhibit features several art forms of Native America. The artists who have displayed their work have given examples of both traditional and more contemporary pieces ? for example a reconstructed earthenware vessel of the type that might have been used centuries ago for water or other liquids. The several art forms shown by the Changing Hands exhibit include wool rug and vegetable dye; gold bracelet work inlaid with larimar, lapis lazuli,sugulited, shell, coral, obsidian and opal; earthenware sculpture; an acrylic collage on wood; glass and copper vase; cottonwood root sculpture; leather beltwork of silver, coral, turquoise, and serpentine; coral necklace with gold and pearls; pendants of gold, wood, silver, coral, turquoise, opal, shell, and lapis lazuli; earthenware canteens and jugs; hinged silver buckles; earthenware tiles of sand, copper, and oil on a wooden panel; sand media on wood."
Abstract In this essay, the writer looks at the work of a select group of Native-American artists working in the post-war era. The writer notes that these artists managed to adapt a Modernist language in their own work, while simultaneously subverting that language in filtering it through their own personal experiences as Native artists. The writer points out that while some of the artists discussed here are still active, focus is limited on the period immediately after World War II and up to the 1980s. The writer provides some insights into the ways in which the Modernist paradigm has constantly been challenged by the work of Native-American artists throughout the post-war period. This paper includes color photographs of various works of art.
From the Paper "Although Houser would later come to be known primarily for his stone sculptures, this was his first major work in stone, the result of a commission by the Haskell Institute in Lawrence, Kansas. The work was meant to be a tribute to the students of Haskell who had died fighting for the United States in the Second World War. The work is a large-scale monumental piece that, though fairly straightforward in its execution, gives us some insight into the more abstract style that Houser would later develop in the course of his prolific career. The figure depicted, clearly a Native-American Indian male, wears a somber expression on his face. He is staring forward, clearly struck by the immense tragedy of a situation he is barely able to comprehend. He is wrapped in a blanket in an effort to protect himself from the cold harshness of the external world. The sculpture is neither realistic in a monumental sense nor rooted in the traditions of Apache Indian artwork; the style is all Houser's own. The overall shape of the piece is round and smooth. But it is the stunned expression on the Indian's face that ultimately pulls us in, reminding us that there are truths of a more existential nature that cannot be stated so easily, and that it is the task of art to ask such questions."
Abstract Often people have the wrong concept of an American Indian. Children 's conception of NativeAmericans often is developed from the media. Often NativeAmericans are sent to school and lose their concept of the NativeAmerican as well as the language of their people.
Abstract This paper addresses the continued controversy surrounding the use of NativeAmerican persons and images as sports-team mascots. The paper presents cogent reasons why these cultural images should not be used because they destroy more pride (in the NativeAmerican people who find them offensive) than they create for the sports fans in the community. The paper approaches the issue from a psychological and anthropological perspective. 4 pgs. Bibliography lists 4 sources.
Abstract This paper evaluates the alternatives, which are available for members of the NativeAmerican population that face alcoholism in their daily lives. The author anticipates that these problems are difficult to overcome due to the massive distrust and apprehension of other people, both within and beyond the NativeAmerican culture. The paper relates that, within NativeAmerican communities, it is expected that there are varying degrees of support for this complex problem of alcoholism.
From the Paper 'Native Americans are a unique group of individuals that possess their own distinct culture, one that has experienced tremendous turmoil and strife over the years. In many instances, Native Americans have faced much adversity within their personal and social lives, and the exclusion of this culture from many standard offerings in America has led to considerable weaknesses amongst personalities. In many cases, Native Americans are not able to face their personal and social problems without the assistance of drugs or alcohol as a means of coping with reality. Within Native American communities, it is expected that there are varying degrees of support for these processes, and many individuals within these groups possess a variety of complex problems and circumstances.'
Abstract This paper looks at NativeAmerican Women and focuses on the changes in life that the Europeans brought to NativeAmerican women, and the struggles that began. It further discusses the stereotypes that forever influenced these women's lives and relates how these misconceptions still affect NativeAmerican women of today.
From the Paper "The perceptions that have historically been applied to Native American women have often been that they have always been subservient beings, abused by their husbands, who have no choice in their personal destinies (Hoxie). Throughout time various individuals have contended that Native American women were mere shadows in the existence of tribal men, and that slavery was not uncommon for them because it was an element of the world that they were born into. Yet, the research will demonstrate that these philosophies about Native American women were subjective analysis of females that were unknown to those providing critique. It will further show that beneath these suppositions existed the lives of people that historically made tremendous contributions to their cultures, and who currently are the greatest strength that continue the traditions in the Native American tribes. "
Abstract This paper examines the conversion of NativeAmericans to Christianity within Massachusetts as asserted by the Puritans. The author points out that, from the beginning, the religious refugees from Europe into the New World, the majority of whom ironically had left England because they were religious or otherwise social outcasts, attempted to make this world a reflection of their own ideals. The paper relates that their most intense focus for religious conversion (and thus, promulgation) were the NativeAmericans.
From the Paper "European religious assertion upon Native Americans is a fact of American history. From the beginning, the religious refugees from England, the Netherlands, Germany, and Spain who fled to the New World had attempted to make their world a reflection of their own ideals. Ironically, the majority of colonists left England because they were religious or social outcasts. Instead of seeing themselves as the meek, once "freed" to the North American continent, they began to assert themselves in grand fashion. While their efforts occasionally changed another's mind, their most intense focus for religious conversion (and thus, promulgation) were the Native Americans. It is the intent of this paper to examine the conversion of Native Americans to Christianity within Massachusetts over the course of time. The Puritans were an agricultural people. Initially, all successful colonizing efforts from the "old" world were agricultural. "
Abstract This paper discusses the issue of NativeAmerican slavery during colonial times in America. It references books and professional publications to determine the cause of this slavery, how it existed in relation to the slavery of African Americans, who was involved in the slave trade, the politics of the issues, and how the slave trade for NativeAmericans came to an end.
From the Paper "Americans are taught that there have been many injustices throughout history with regard to civil rights. While we learn about the plight of the African American who endured slavery, and the Japanese that were imprisoned in this country after the bombing of Pearl Harbor, there is little that has been written about the enslavement of Native Americans by the British when America was in its infancy. Though the information that is now available is incomplete, it presents a picture of the lives of the Native Americans during this time period that was unbearably harsh and unnecessary. Yet, it is a part of American history that should not be ignored. As colonists began to settle in the United States from England, they had originally begun a trading relationship with Native Americans in South Carolina (Perdue, 2003, p. 670). Native Americans offered labor to the colonists in exchange for manufactured goods from Europe."
Abstract This study is restricted to consider only those NativeAmerican cultures in North America, that are well-known and which provide certain insights into the construction of the spirit world for these particular people. This is still a relatively broad group of people. Nevertheless, there are common themes that run throughout NativeAmerican mythology in North America with regard to the spirit world.
From the Paper "It would be ridiculous to suggest that Native American mythology, specifically regarding the belief in a spirit world, is monolithic. After all, when we are speaking of Native Americans, of whom are we speaking? Should we broaden our discussion to include all the various tribes and cultural groups throughout North and South America? Can we actually expect that beliefs in the Spirit World would remain consistent across such great geographical, climatic, and cultural divides? Of course, such an argument would be reductive and would provide very little useful information regarding the spiritual beliefs of any Native Americans. For the purpose of this study, I will restrict myself to consider only those Native American cultures in North America, and even then I will restrict myself further to those cultures that are well-known and which provide certain insights into the construction of the spirit world for these particular people."
Abstract This paper describes the differing beliefs and outlooks of the NativeAmericans versus the European Colonists in the early 1600s. This author evaluates their differing views on such topics as technology, religion, the environment, women's rights, and slavery. The paper gives an honest appraisal of both sides' views and prejudices about the other. The author concludes that these base differences between the two sets of peoples, the Europeans and the NativeAmericans, were what sparked the distrust held by both nations that endured for hundreds of years.
From the Paper "The European colonists and the Native Americans of North American had very different views on nearly everything they encountered in their lives. Living in vastly different cultures lead both groups to generally have two extremely different outlooks on four main topics; religious beliefs, the environment, social relations, and slavery, differences which the colonists used this to their advantage when conquering the peoples of the New World."
Abstract The writer of this paper details the artistic and cultural significance of an Iroquois ritual object; a turtle rattle, ca 1890, which was found in North America. This paper contains a detailed description of the object, a large turtle rattle which is composed of the complete shell and skin of a snapping- turtle, 12-14 inches long, with head and neck stretched and held by stick splints to form a handle. The writer describes how this and other similar objects were used in NativeAmericans ceremonies and healing rituals. This paper delves into the significance of this and other artistic objects that were intrinsic to the native way of life. These objects were created in prehistoric times for utilitarian purposes.
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From the Paper "The turtle rattle was also a musical instrument in ceremonial use. One of its most important functions was its significance in the False Face ceremonies. One of the most distinguishing features of the Iroquois belief system is the reliance on the mask for religious and ritual purposes. These masks are often designated as False Faces. This term refers to the first False Face and the mythical origins of protective and healing spirits. They are used in introductory and agricultural rituals. The turtle rattles play a significant part in these important rituals. The turtle rattle is therefore integrated with the overall understanding of the origin myths of the Iroquois Indians. The turtle rattle is also seen as a powerful object in its own right and not just a decorative or musical piece."
Abstract This paper examines the attempts of Native-American Tribes to retain their cultural heritage despite many years of repression and attempts by the colonial majority to force its culture on them. The paper looks at the major means whereby NativeAmericans are trying to preserve and even spread their culture amongst the various groupings and tribes living today in the United State of America. The author then goes on to examine the historical background to the American Indian's cultural repression. He examines, in some depth, the rebirth of Native-American literature and oral history and its impact on the Native-American population and attempts to evaluate its success.
From the Paper "Individual Indians seek to define who they are through culture in varied ways, and are frequently challenged by distance. The revival of culture is centered around reservation life. Reservations schools attempt to transmit the traditions of the past, along with language through native reservation schools that teach language through a bilingual system or through submersion programs and yet many Native Americans live far from home and family, as a result of the pressures of modernization and the fact that economic and higher education opportunities are limited on many reservations. To many Indians it is a challenge to meet the goals of a highly connected social network of family and nation as distance creates change that challenges their ability to meld their historical culture with the white culture they frequently live within. Yet, it is also clear that individual definitions of self are strongly associated with family and cultural connections and traditions. It is for this reason that Native American creativity is expressed in novel ways through many avenues and medias as well as the reason why individual and collective vision become a constant recurring theme in many of these interpretations."
Tags:nativeamericans, indians reservations history culture assimilation tradition
Abstract This paper, written in first person, begins with how the writer's knowledge of NativeAmerican's unfair treatment was opaque. It then discusses the Natives' first traces in America, and gradually works up to how their lives and culture has changed over the past hundred years to the present day.
From the Paper "Growing up in the sheltered environment in which I live, I was not aware of many things that occurred outside my microcosm. I was deprived from the "real" world, incognizant of the fact that there are millions of people suffering for different reasons. Some suffer from physical illness, while others suffer because of their self-induced mistakes. I hated being so unaware of what was happening in my world. A few years ago my views opened up. It was like a blindfold had been tilted and now I could see light. Things were coming into light. Before this time I was only taught the "good" aspects, never even learning the "bad" side. A great example of this is my knowledge of Native Americans. I was always taught how Native Americans and the white man's relationship was peaceful and harmonious. How they were treated just like everything else, not knowing of their wounded past. I was always deprived from the truth. I never knew about the bloody wars which resulted in millions of casualties or the land stolen from right under the Indians? feet. I never knew about the hardships endured or the government's approval to remove Indians from their land. Nevertheless, the Native Americans have survived this ill treatment. Although the relocating of Native American's land may have resulted in everlasting pain, location could never destroy their culture."
Abstract This paper goes into great detail about NativeAmerican struggles: How the Europeans stole their land and how the government has been trying to assimilate them into mainstream society. It discusses many battles between the Natives and Europeans, as well as the many legal acts that have been created against them.
From the Paper "For centuries, Native Americans have dealt with hardships; it seems as though they are singled out. Native Americans have been viewed unjustly since early colonialism. Their land was stolen, given back, and so on. Criticism has plagued their credibility, pursuits, and dreams. Through treaties and warfare they have been forced to assimilate like White Europeans. They try to live soundly, peacefully, with no outside interference, but to no avail. As this paper will demonstrate, through policies, treaties, assimilation acts, and warfare, Native Americans have been ill-treated."
