Abstract The paper briefly explains the history of Canadian Indians. The writer details the pattern of death and the main diseases that affect the Canadian Indians, including lifestyle related diseases, infectious diseases and the increased number of violent deaths. The paper discusses the high rate of drug abuse, and suicides found in this group of people. The writer explains that most articles written about these issues suggest the need to increase income, education and social opportunities for Indian youth and adolescents. In conclusion, the writer states that the Indian communities have adapted and integrated both traditional and western approaches to fit their own unique sociocultural needs.
From the Paper "Native Aboriginal also have an increased risk for diabetes. This is probably because their original diet was low in simple carbohydrates and over the centuries, their bodies adapted to this regime. Diabetes is 4-8 times more common in Canadian Indians compared to the general Canadian population. In some Indian communities, up to half of all adults have diabetes. Indian Elders suffer from higher rates of complications from diabetes. Unfortunately, the individuals least open to the regimen of western medicine are Indian elders, making proper treatment of their diabetes more difficult. They are not able to return to the original diet of their ancestors and often die early of complications. "Also there are numerous challenges facing these same individuals, families, and communities in their struggle to reduce the harm due to substance use/abuse. Among Indian and Native people, special challenges include whether or not, and, if so, how to adapt treatment or prevention programs for use in their own communities. Another challenge is how to draw upon and incorporate cultural values, skills, and knowledge into this struggle. In addition, how to reconcile certain cultural practices, such as the ceremonial use of tobacco and peyote, with messages about harmful substance use continues to be a challenge as well. Others include how to develop self-sustaining programs once private, state, or federal support for their start-up has ended. For instance, the Wheel Council uses traditional arts like storytelling as a means to heal social problems such as racism, drug addiction, violence, economic injustice, health crises, child abuse and neglect."
A discussion of how understanding the child-rearing practices of the Pacific Northwest Indians and Alaskan NativeIndians is important in providing the best welfare service to their children.
Abstract This paper discusses cultural competence within the context of the Pacific Northwest Indians and the Alaskan Native American. The paper describes family and community approaches to child welfare practice and also looks at social and (to a lesser extent) racial constructs in these societies. Finally, the paper at various times touches upon the lessons that a careful study of Pacific Northwest culture can offer to a child welfare agent eager to do the right thing.
From the Paper "About the Coeur d'Alene tribe somewhat less is known but it is known that kinship was bilaterally based and that the same terms were used to address a cousin from the mother's side of the family as from the father's side of the family (Frey, n.d.). Whether or not this sort of practice is still in place is hard to determine (the evidence is scant) but, to the extent that any members of the Coeur d'Alene still cling to the "old ways", it is advisable that child welfare representatives respect the fact that Coeur d'Alene families are extended and close-knit and that a child's well-being is everyone's concern."
Abstract This paper examines the role of the culture that existed before the French arrival in the Michigan region of the United States and provides a detailed account of the actual modifications of Indian life after the French arrived. The paper considers the way in which disputes and misunderstandings were solved through law and shows how the issue of the Native-Indians and the French influence over the history of the tribes in the Great Lakes is a matter that is representative for the history of the US. The paper also shows how the Native-American experience pointed out the way in which a local issue such as the conflicts between different tribes in the region could be exploited for economic, gains but at the same time could set the basis for a cultural relation between the Algonquin tribes and the French.
From the Paper "The history of the American people is the result of numerous influences that have put their mark on what is today the American culture and heritage. The entire array of factors that have determined the unique yet troubled history of the United States belong to numerous cultures and civilization that have remained to this day important landmarks for the definition of the cultural framework of this country. In this sense, the Indians have had a considerable contribution to the establishment of the cultural background as well as of the environment in which later settlers, such as the Europeans would place their mark and in which they would develop a distinctive cultural identity."
Abstract This paper presents a brief history of the Native Americans of California, focusing on their struggles with colonizing Europeans and their eventual loss of land and civil rights. The paper traces the history of Native Americans in the US back to their arrival in North America from Asia. Next the author describes their settlement and cultures in North America, and California specifically. The paper highlights the arrival of Europeans to Californian, describing the Native American's subsequent loss of loss of land, culture and autonomy. Special attention is paid to the effects of reservations on the Native American population.
Outline:
California Indians Population Decline of California Indian Figure-1: Native California [Census 2000]
Figure-2: Native California Population [Census 2000]
Indian Plight since Columbian Period
Paper includes maps and charts.
From the Paper "This exploitation continued well into the twentieth century and displacement of Native Indian from reserves continued with little or no compensation until the early twentieth century. The enlightened society of the twentieth century began to apply the laws which have been on the statutes for centuries to all Americans. Discrimination on the grounds of race, color, religion and sex can not be legally justified anymore. This important factor now provides legal rights and new protection to Native Indians. "
Abstract This paper demonstrates how Hurtado's book successfully diminished popular ideas about the Native American experience in California, replacing stereotypes of submissive native slaves with images of working and raiding Indians who helped to shape California history. Hurtado's Native Californians emerged, not as victims of Anglo society, but as active participants in California's history. This paper also describes how the Indian experience shaped Native American culture today.
From the Paper "In Albert Hurtado's book, he discusses how native life and culture survived through this time, how the survivors managed to adapt to white society, and how the whites treated the Indians. Hurtado provides an interesting perspective of the California Indians, painting them as active participants in this culture, rather than victims of the dominant white society."
Abstract The paper explains that Jack Weatherford began to examine the history of the Native American as he discovered that many agricultural products would not have been produced in farming without the knowledge that Indians gave those in the new world. The paper describes how Weatherford further stipulates that it is through these advances in agriculture that the United States has remained a strong contender in the global market ,and that without the influences of the Native Americans on the early settlers those new to America would not have survived. The paper analyzes how, through his work, "Indian Givers: How Indians of the Americas Transformed the World", Volume I, Weatherford brings an insight to a people that most individuals have been negligent in understanding. The paper concludes that it is Weatherford's purpose to demonstrate that Native Americans have been a misrepresented and forgotten people when the history of North America is discussed.
Abstract The paper explores the prevalent misconceptions about Native Americans such as that Indians are all pretty much the same, or Indians only live on reservations. The paper discusses how Inidans consider the Native-American mascot to be the epitome of racism. The paper argues that these stereotypes not only affect the native people but also ourselves as non-natives. The paper contends that we need to educate our society and stop perpetuating the Native-American stereotypes.
From the Paper "There are many Native American misconceptions today in the United States. Many people believe that Indians are all pretty much the same, or Indians only live on reservations. These stereotypes not only affect the native people but also ourselves as non-natives. We get these misconceptions in our head and believe them to be accurate and true. We not only have no idea who the native peoples are but we have even confused them because they try to live up to our standard of what a native person should be."
Abstract This article looks at the meeting of the two different cultures of the Puritan colonists and the Native Americans. The writer states that in order to understand how the Indian tribes and the colonial settlers interacted, one firstly has to understand something about the basic differences of culture and attitudes between the two different groups. One of the most important facts with regard to Native American cultures, one which many people do not realize, is that there was no Indian national unity. Rather the Indian tribes were essentially separate and went their own way; with many differences in social customs and perceptions between the different tribes. The writer describes that this explains much of the confusion and misunderstanding that took place when the two cultures met. This is especially true when it comes to the reaction of the white settlers who often saw the Indian tribes as a unified threat against their existence.
From the Paper "On the other hand there was a very different cultural perspective from the settler's point of view. The white colonists were used to thinking in terms of national and social unity. They therefore tended to assume that the Native Americans were a unified threat and were therefore suspicious of the Indian tribes. Therefore many Native Americans would encounter hostility and fear when they first met the colonists that would also create a sense of uncertainly and suspicion among the Indians.
A further aspect that would have influenced the relationships and contacts between the two groups was the idea of private property. Generally the Native Americans did not have a concept of private property, but rather believed in sharing what they had with others. The colonists, being unaware of this different attitude, would have been suspicious and would have feared that their property was in danger."
Abstract In this article, the writer discusses that American Indians historically, have been the pioneers of environmental protection, even though the true authentic image of Native American environmental ethic has been distorted in the wake of romantic environmentalism. The writer looks at how the American Indians have transformed the North American landscape, but mentions that it was always out of rational response to abundance or scarcity. Further, the writer examines the history of the American Indians as it relates to the environment. In this paper, the writer concludes that individually successful Americans need to consider the fact that their acceptability for the Native Americans is necessary for a secured America of tomorrow.
From the Paper "Environment at large has been subject to small-scale destruction throughout history and people have always considered it as infinitely durable and usable, the largest part of environmental problems has its origin in the economy developing over four centuries of American existence. This period was characetrized by the growth of industries which resulted in emissions that had a negative bearing on the environment. These developments apply pressure on the earth's resources, the processes of production, use, and disposition of things Post Columbian Americans required for their reproduction and expansion. The indirect effects on the environment were taken for granted as environment was considered elastic. However harking back to the early twentieth century, the efforts of Aldo Leopold towards the conservation of environment Wisconsin River were immense, to this date he is regarded as a great environmentalist, amidst mounting industrialization and technology leaving by-products of pollution and exhaustion of natural resources. Doling out with conservative backlash from the white Americans, American Indians have stood by with grace to work for the preservation and purgation of environment."
Abstract In this article, the writer looks at research regarding Native-American dropouts from high school. The writer notes that the problems that arose in the process of locating young Native-Americans who had dropped out of school, helped the researchers come to terms with the kind of poverty and depressing environments in which these people lived. The writer concludes that as a nation, America took most of the Indian's lands away from them, placed them on reservations, and now the U.S. allows giant corporations to profit by exploiting and polluting the land the Indians count on for their survival. The writer maintains that this should be a topic in all high schools, especially Native-American high schools.
From the Paper "In autumn, 1980, high dropout rates among Native-American students in a Montana high school district were so out of proportion with other school districts' dropout rates that a study was needed in order to come to grips with the problem. According to an article in the Journal of American Indian Education, about 60 percent of Native Americans were dropping out before finishing their high school careers. And 90 percent of the students were of Native-American ethnicity."
"In order to conduct what the district believed would be an "empirical" study of the problem, the district partnered with the University of Montana, which set up the research. The method used was to carefully examine the problem, develop instruments for the analysis, develop good techniques for interviewing, reach out to the dropouts and carefully assess the data resulting from the project."
Abstract This paper analyzes the conflicts between native Americans and colonists in terms of the moral legitimacy of warfare. The paper states that the end result of these conflicts are clear; it led to the deaths of thousands of native Americans and the eventual disappearance of the majority of the native American tribes within North America. The paper argues that the results were disastrous for the native Americans, however on further examination, it becomes evident that the Indian wars qualify as a just war.
From the Paper "In order to determine the legitimacy of the Indian Wars, a context for understanding the agents of action within the war must be developed. The Indian Civil War occurred in parallel to the American Civil War. The conflict began in the wake of the French and Indian War. The British, after acquiring the significant amount of territory ceded by the French dictated that settlements were forbidden west of the Appalachian Mountains. This policy was made to ensure that conflicts between the Native Americans and colonists would not continue to persist. However, due to pressure from the colonists, the British negotiated a treaty with the Iroquois in 1768 to allow for colonial expansion beyond the Ohio River."
Tags:Indian, war, civil, war, territory, conflicts, colonist
This paper reviews and examines Donald Hughes' book "North American Indian Ecology" which focuses on a wide range of ecological and environmental issues faced by Native American Indians in the 20th century.
Abstract This paper explores and details North American Indian life and culture as portrayed in Donald Hughes' book "North American Indian Ecology." This paper discusses the land issues facing the North American Indian tribes including overgrazing, erosion and assessments of appropriate land usage. The writer of this paper finds Hughes' book to be straightforward and concise in clarifying the characteristics of Indian life such as hunting, food growing and rituals.
From the Paper "Tribes are having to mediate the disparate demands of their members and the industrial mindset of the BIA to balance forest use for economic need and preservation for cultural need. Tribes face many of the same problems as non-Native communities held hostage by the timber industry. Replanting has not always kept pace with harvesting on public or trust lands. The push to harvest old-growth timber is constrained by federal mandates to protect endangered species habitats, putting people out of work. Few local communities gain the "value-added" benefits of processing their own timber especially jobs and new businesses and when they do the environmental impact of mill sites has to be factored into any cost-benefit analysis."
Abstract This paper addresses the changes in American Indian warfare during the period of western settlement in the 19th century. It gives a summary of Plains Indian culture and reasons for conflict, and details conflicts between settlers and American Indian tribes. The paper's thesis, borne out in historical research, is that the introduction of horses and firearms made conflicts between US relocation forces and unwilling Indian tribesmen bloodier than necessary on both sides. The author does not take sides on the Native American sovereignty issue.
A comparison of James Axtell's "The Invasion Within: The Contest of Cultures in Colonial North America" and William Cronon's "Changes in the Land: Indians, Colonists and the Ecology of New England".
Abstract The paper compares how James Axtell and William Cronon analyze in their respective works, "The Invasion Within: The Contest of Cultures in Colonial North America" and "Changes in the Land: Indians, Colonists and the Ecology of New England", the essential aspects of the first interaction between the Native-American peoples of North America and the Europeans that colonized them. The paper explains that both authors aim to analyze the way in which this first contact between the Natives and their colonizers influenced the future development of America as a nation. The paper shows how Axtell focuses on the spiritual history of the two nations, while Cronon concentrates on the outer, external aspects of the meeting between the Natives and the colonizers. The paper posits that although the two authors manage their argumentation very well and make very interesting points about the history of the colonization, Cronon's book seems more remarkable in terms of argumentation and originality.
From the Paper "Axtell's book, as its title indicates, focuses on the way in which the three main ethnicities, the Native Indians, the English and the French attempted a mutual conversion, each struggling to impose its cultural identity over the identity of the other. Axtell thus advocates that ethnohistory is the best instrument for the examination of the confluence between the three cultures, Indian, English and French. He focuses therefore on the way in which each of the three nations perceived the others, and how they struggled to impose their own views over the others. "
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 Native Americans 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:native americans, indians reservations history culture assimilation tradition
