This paper examines a 1969 work, "Custer Died For Your Sins" by Vine DeLoria, Jr. about the American Indians from demythologizing and intercultural communications viewpoints.
1,350 words (approx. 5.4 pages), 1 source, 1990, $ 47.95
From the Paper "It seems as if both historians and ethnographers are again concerning themselves with the diatribe of past events in relation to modern, more pragmatic, communicative efforts. In fact, many of the recent works tend to readdress some of the historical issues so prevalent in ethnographic research, and attempt to merge the varieties of fieldwork with an historical perspective--presumably to reformat some of the issues in a newer, more modern, bent. Within this context, this paper will examine a 1969 work, Custer Died For Your Sins, by Vine DeLoria, Jr.
In brief terms, the book is less of an historical interpretation of the American Indian, for it would be difficult for any book to attempt such a feature in only one volume, than an extended essay-like commentary on the way the American Indian ... "
From the Paper "Louise Erdrich in her novel Love Medicine and James Welch in his Winter in the Blood each address issues of gender and cultural roles among contemporary Native American populations. Both authors indicate how the Native American of today has been forcibly separated from the land and thought of his ancestors and what a devastating effect this has had on Native American society. In both cases, the writers speaks from a position inside that society. Erdrich shows more concern for feminist issues, as might be expected from a writer of her gender, while both writers express a sense of continuing loss in the Native American community and lay blame for this with the federal government and the institutions it has created for the administration and control of Indian affairs, with the land embodying both the traditions of the past and the tenuous hold ..."
Abstract This paper discusses how American culture has defined the Native American throughout our history which finally translates to a stereotypical representation in film/mascots. This essay discusses aspects from as far back as Colombus' letters, to 20th century movies.
From the Paper "The true image of Native Americans has been an issue of much debate concerning their inaccurate portrayal in film, literature, and even representatives of schools and sporting teams as mascots. The depiction in such forms of what a Native American is relies heavily on the much-loaded mental imagery of the Indian in the minds of our modern society. This imagery is based upon the Hollywood representation of the Native Americans, and the lack of knowledge, and true respect, of the Native American within our culture. Hollywood's characterization of the Indian peoples has narrowed our culture's thought on the idea of the Indian to a popular image. This image in itself was perpetuated previous to Hollywood's version of the Indian, and only continued in our popular culture by western films. This popular image is of the stereotypical Indian; face painted, feathered, aggressive, dancing and hollering, and living in teepees. It has been the struggle of modern Native American groups to seek acceptance of the Indian, with mutual respect of their traditions and images, and to put an end to such poor representations."
Abstract Discusses conflicts between religioius practitioners of Peyotism and American laws and society. First Amendment protection vs. traditional use of psychedelic drug (peyote/mescal). History of Peyotism; its rites & ceremonies. Its religious significance. Its social & cultural characteristics. The Ghost Dance. Sense of identity. Actions of the Bureau of Indian Affairs (BIA) & traditional Christian missionaries. Current legal status of the religion of Peyotism.
From the Paper "Peyotism is the largest religion started, organized, and directed by and for Native Americans and gets its title from the fact that members of the religion use the peyote -- sometimes referred to as mescal -- in their ceremonies, a point that has caused fascinating legal challenges between those supporting the First Amendment protection of freedom of religious practice in the United States and those who wish to prohibit the use of hallucinogenic drugs for what they see as recreational (or at least on-medicinal) purposes. Peyotism has also brought the Native Americans into conflict with mainstream society, and one might speculate that part of the reason that the followers of peyotism have been so adamant in their insistence on using it is the Indians' wish to wrest some control of ceremony and cultural identity back from the society that tried so hard for so many years ..."
Abstract The writer of this paper discusses why unemployment is the most destructive problem among Native Americans. It examines the history of this problem and analyzes some of the sociological and political causes of unemployment in the Native American communities.
From the Paper "Most Native Americans suffer high unemployment rates and incredible poverty. In fact, Native Americans face higher unemployment rates than another other ethnic minority in America today (Morrison 122). "Tribal leaders say unemployment is one of the biggest problems facing Native Americans" (Nurnberger and Naylor). Unemployment among Native Americans, especially on the reservations, can reach 50 percent or even higher, and with current national unemployment higher than it has been since the 1980s, the problem for both urban and rural Native Americans does not show any signs of improving."
Abstract This paper discusses how Mary Rowlandson, Hannah Dustin, and Mary Jamison, were each in their own way, able to cope with their captivity. The paper discusses whether the captivity strengthened their understanding of Native Americans. It also looks at why some captives were treated harshly and others as family or tribal members. In addition, the paper explores why Native Americans took captives.
From the Paper "The story of Mary Jamison's capture is quite different from the other women's experiences. Mary Jamison was taken captive by the Shawnee tribe while she was still a teenager. Her family was killed and the tribe adopted her as their own. Jamison actually became a part of the tribe and took a husband and had children. Jamison coped with her captivity by assimilating into the tribe that held her captive. Her ability to be a part of the tribe allowed her to cope with the loss of her family and her captivity."
Abstract This paper addresses the continued controversy surrounding the use of Native American 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 Native American 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.
Tags: NATIVE-AMERICAN STUDIES, native american mascots
Abstract This paper will discuss the issue of African Americans and indigenous peoples in colonial and the slavery of the South. By understanding the certain principles of slave behavior, economic factors, and the roles of slaves in these periods of history, we can assemble an analysis of early America in this way.
Abstract This three-page undergraduate paper discusses in what ways the movie "The Last of the Mohicans" is an accurate and inaccurate depiction of colonial America.
Abstract This paper briefly explores the cultural differences between the Cherokee and the Blackfoot in relation to sex and gender. It looks at their attitudes towards a woman's role in the family, education, the duty of the husband and wife to reproduce, and discusses how their cultures were also affected by exterior forces.
From the Paper "Many Native American Indians maintained a gender division of labor and social roles ?long before the arrival of Europeans on the North American continent (Hill, 1995).? These tribes varied in how they viewed the importance of women. Most tribes, such as the Cherokee, kept a division of labor and social roles, while encouraging ?each person to value the opposite gender as an integral part of the whole-the family, clan and tribe (Hill, 1995).? Most women were valued for their ability to reproduce and their ritualistic knowledge. As the woman aged, her status in the tribe increased. The elders of the tribe, both men and women, were mainly responsible for educating the youth. Women were held in high regard by the Cherokee and tribal law stated ?the penalty for killing a woman was double that for killing a man because of the children she might have borne (unknown, 1998).? "
This paper discusses the economic effects of gambling. Sociological ramifications are only considered as they have direct or indirect consequences on the economy at the local, state, and national levels.
Abstract This paper explains that the gambling industry is associated with large sums of money, which might be one of the top five revenue sources for certain states and is an important source of income to many Native American tribes that operate casinos located on their land. The author points out that the gaming association is a very powerful lobby, which wants to introduce legalized gambling into every state. The author relates that most studies show the economic impact in a positive light, but a careful perusal of the hidden costs show that maybe the economic impact of gaming in the long run does not meet the expectations. Tables.
From the Paper "The American Gaming Association, in their website (www.americangaming.org) reports that there are more than 433 land-based, river-based and racetrack casinos scattered throughout eleven states. The gaming associations claim that they bring huge revenues to the state in the order of several billion dollars. In addition, gaming also provides the states strapped for cash with much needed revenues from state taxes?from a nationwide low of 6.25 in Nevada to a high of 35 per cent in the state of Illinois. These huge sums of money did not include the numerous smaller casinos whose gross annual revenues were one million dollars or less."
Abstract This paper is about the book, "Lakota Woman" by Mary Crow Dog. The paper looks at how Mary Crow Dog's account of the struggles of Native American women is not only about the struggles of traditional Native American women, but of Native American women, in general, as well. The paper summarizes Mary Crow Dog's description of how Native American women were treated within their tribes, the treatment of the Native American population by the U.S. government, the history of the Lakota people, and Mary Crow Dog's account of her own life.
From the Paper "The differentiated gender roles required women to be sexually submissive to their counterparts at a given whim. Rapes on reservations were and still are a big scandal. Mary talks about her desire for commitment in sexual relationships, unfortunately the men wanted no part of her philosophy. "If you didn"t cooperate then they were no longer interested in you as a person? (Crow Dog 68). The men went from woman to woman without thought of remaining loyal to one special someone. The Lakota men appear mean, yet magnificent at the same time. They were incredibly brave in defending Sioux women against the outside world but within Sioux culture they treated themselves as all-powerful and ignored the autonomy of women."
Abstract This paper reviews the book "Love and Hate in Jamestown" by David Price, praising the author and for his honest and forthright portrayal of what actually took place between the settlers and Native Americans, in the early years of American settlement.
From the Paper "From our early years, every American child memorizes the stories of starvation, disease, violence and friendship that characterize the American "Thanksgiving Day" myth. This myth often belittles the cowardice, prejudice and hatred that characterized most of the early interactions between the settlers and the native inhabitants of the "New World." Instead, the story we learn focuses on the love and sacrifice that enabled early settlers' survival - an idea that was recently transformed into the heroic myth of Disney's Pocahontas. We would understand our national character, both in its past and present conflicts, much better by honestly examining those early relations. Lucky for us, this is exactly what David Price has in mind. Even the title of his historical narrative, "Love and Hate in Jamestown", suggests the well-rounded outlook it provides."
A review of the book, ?Myths That Hide The American Indian" by Oliver La Farge, and a study of the cultural contributions of Native American tribes to North America.
Abstract This paper examines the societal structures of the various Native American tribes as seen in the book, "Myths That Hide The American Indian" by Oliver La Farge. It describes the tremendous contributions of numerous Native American tribes in art, poetry, governmental structure and customs. The paper explores the European settlers" impact on the Native American people.
From the Paper "An aspect of the essay that I found very interesting was the societal structures of the various Tribes. The tribes of the Southeast Mississippi Valley region were among the most advanced tribes in North America; in particular the Natchez tribe which had an elaborate social system. The social system of this tribe was divided into two groups; the aristocracy referred to as Suns and the common people called Stinkers. Within this system the common people could wed whomever they wanted but the aristocracy could only marry outside of their social group and the offspring would become a part of the aristocracy. This social system, as elaborate as it was, did create a problem because it decreased greatly the number of Stinkers within the tribe. To combat this the Natchez tribe would capture, torture, and enslave foreigners and if they survived they would become Stinkers in doing this they were able to perpetuate this social system."
From the Paper " In his book American Holocaust, David E. Stannard writes about the nature of life and society in the New World before the coming of Columbus, the Conquest that followed the arrival of Columbus, the attitude taken toward the Native Americans by Europeans after this, and the idea that what occurred should be classified as genocide. The period before the coming of Columbus is not completely peaceful, but it was a set way of life in which the Native Americans enjoyed their isolation from the rest of the world and attained a level of development as a result. After the arrival of Columbus, though, the people were exploited, suffered from diseases they had never seen before, died by the millions, and lost their land over a period of time until they were placed in the unfortunate position they remain in to this day. "
