Abstract In this paper, the author looks at the origins of Native American tribes. In particular he looks at the Potawatomi tribe who has a lot of history affiliated with the state of Michigan. The author examines the early history of the Potawatomi tribe from their first origins in the area as far back as 1600. The paper examines the meaning of the name Potawatomi which is a translation of the Ojibwe "potawatomink" meaning "people of the place of fire", and looks at alternate names that have been given to this tribe. The author identifies special characteristics of this tribe and looks at their population growth over the years. In conclusion, the author looks at the modern day Potawatomi tribe and what they have achieved. He comments that they have assimilated into American society and that a general governing body has been set up to try and bring them back to their roots and make sure their original reservation land remains in their hands.
From the Paper "Shortly after the French built Fort Ponchartrain at Detroit in 1701, groups of Potawatomi settled nearby. By 1716 most Potawatomi villages were located in an area between Milwaukee to Detroit. During the 1760s they expanded into northern Indiana and central Illinois. Land cessions to the Americans began in 1807 and during the next 25 years drastically reduced their territory. Removal west of the Mississippi occurred between 1834 and 1842. The Potawatomi were removed in two groups: the Prairie and Forest Bands from northern Illinois and southern Wisconsin went to Council Bluffs in southwest Iowa; and the Potawatomi of the Woods (Michigan and Indian bands) were relocated to eastern Kansas near Osawatomie. In 1846 the two groups merged and were placed on a single reservation north of Topeka. Arguments over allotment and citizenship led to their separation in 1867. The Citizen Potawatomi left for Oklahoma and settled near present-day Shawnee. Most of their lands were lost to allotment in 1889. The Prairie Potawatomi stayed in Kansas and still have a reservation. Several Potawatomi groups avoided removal and remained in the Great Lakes."
Abstract By using the chief of the Sioux tribe as narrator, the paper traces the history of the tribe. The paper begins with a description of life on the plains around Lake Superior, wars with the rival Ojibwa tribe and then carries the reader until the time when the tribe is forced to seek unification with other tribes in order to fight a new enemy, the white man.
From the Paper "The white men's approach shows their nature of treachery that leaves them unfit for any pact from our end. In spite of the reality that the white men are better equipped in arms than us, forget not my men that the white man is not well equipped in his will. If we can win them, we can win by our will; by our determination; by our unity for our mother. We know the land as none other, for we have roamed therein years together for buffalo hunting and the big game.
These white men cannot overpower us if we resist their intrusion wisely. I have known that they come from different lands from far. Some are different from the others. If we can use these differences to make them fight among themselves for the land, we can win half of the battle. Then, the white men shall have the taste of their own medicine."
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 A discussion regarding how in recent years, mainstream society has "re-discovered" Native Americans after a period of forgetfulness. Needless to say, one of the more prominent of all the Native North American peoples has been the Cherokee - perhaps because few other native tribes (at least to this writer's knowledge) have enjoyed the territorial, geographic reach of the Cherokee nation - a nation with tribes in the Virginias, the Carolinas, and the Southern United States. This paper looks at America's Cherokee tribes and explores the manner in which their approach to warfare since the arrival of the "white man".
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."
Abstract The paper discusses the Kwakiutl tribe, who lived in northern part of Vancouver Island, Canada. The paper describes them as a hunter-gatherer society, hunting deer, bears and moose, with their main source of food coming from the sea. The paper further examines their mode of dress, and their use of masks as adornment. The writer examines how their culture was rich with dances and theatrical performances which they improved by adapting and borrowing from other tribes. The paper concludes that although many aspects of Kwakiutl life have now disappeared, the people themselves survive and take an active part in fishing and lumbering pursuits in their old tribal territory.
From the Paper "They hunted deer, bears and moose but their main source of food remained to be from the sea. Sea-lions, porpoises and seals were abundant in the sea. Crabs, mussels and clams along with cod, herring and several species of salmon were also abundantly found in the sea life. These proved to be the main source of food for the Kwakiutl tribe and it was the Kwakiutl man who went out to hunt the food while the role of the woman was to gather berries and shellfish. The Kwakiutl were best at making canoes and were capable of making large canoes which they used in their hunt for seafood."
Abstract This paper explains that today the American Indian tribes are believed to have sovereign powers, which can be characterized as independent from both the federal and state governments. Therefore, they are considered to be a nation within a nation under the current American legal system. The writer points out that there are, however, limitations to the tribes' jurisdiction. The paper concludes that, as evidenced by the stand off at Wounded Knee and numerous other historical events, it is clear that Native-American Indians desire real authority over their own relations amongst themselves and perceive themselves as degraded by the lack of full sovereignty.
Table of Contents:
Introduction
The Challenges of Native American Sovereignty
Wounded Knee
Conclusion: The Future of Native American Sovereignty
From the Paper "In the end, the events at Wounded Knee were exceedingly far more traumatic for Native American Indians in this country than it was for the white American population. The Wounded Knee incident was a direct result of the near-century long inability for Native Americans to come to an agreement with the majority population on the issue of sovereignty within their lands. The form of tribal government that had been granted to the Natives was thus not efficient in solving problems on reservations."
Tags: self-determination intervention jurisdiction globalization, red power
A discussion of the ritual of circumcision in the Aborigine Aranda tribe of Australia and how this practice relates to the aspect of magic and religion.
Abstract This paper provides a brief history of the Aranda tribe (also called the Arrernte), a group of Aborigines who lived in Central Australia, their rituals and customs . In particular, it examines the rite of circumcision when a boy reached the age of ten to twelve. The ritual takes many months to complete and begins with the men of the camp tossing the boy in the air repeatedly, somewhat like we toss a child in a blanket signifying the boy's long journey into manhood. It also looks at the practice of "totemism," which blends nature with their religious beliefs and how the totem (tjurunga) for the circumcision ceremony was one of their most significant totems.
From the Paper "The Aranda tribe (also called the Arrernte) is a group of Aborigines who lived in Central Australia. They were the source of the "Dream Time" legends, and lived in a society filled with complex religious and spiritual events. Several anthropologists and scientists studied the tribe around the turn of the 20th century, and documented their rituals and rites. They were hunter-gathers, who did not know how to raise crops until the white man came to Australia. They had complex religious beliefs, which were illustrated by their many rituals and rites, including the many layered rites young men must go though to enter manhood."
Abstract This paper provides an overview of the Alabama-Coushatta tribe and, in particular, examines how it is currently changing to fit the new circumstances of the modern world as it struggles to maintain ties to traditional values and practices in the Big Thicket of East Texas, where the members of this cultural group have lived for a number of years.
Outline
History of the Group
Modern Americans, Not Noble Savages
A History of Misfortune
From the Paper "The Alabama Indians, who came to Tyler County in 1805, were members of the Upper Creek Confederacy of Indians as well as members of the Muskogean Nation. The Coushattas arrived in East Texas at about the same time: They came to East Texas in the years directly after 1795. Both groups were given land to settle by order of the Texas Congress; however, this land (which was relatively good for raising stock and had regular access to water) was illegally claimed and homesteaded by white settlers, Sam Houston intervened to ask the government of Texas to purchase land for the Indians ? who had supported Houston and other Texans in the state's battles for independence."
Abstract This paper describes how two native tribes, the Kogi and the Kallawaya, have adapted to the conditions of the Andes mountains. There are similarities and differences in how these two groups have approached survival in this harsh climate. Both groups have relied on vertical farming and living in order to maximize arable land for food production and dwelling.
From the Paper "Ancient Andean Tribes: the Kogi and the Kallawaya The Andes mountain range is home to two different groups of native dwellers. One group, the Kogi tribe, descendants of the Tairona, lives in the mountains of Colombia. The second group, the Kallawaya, is native to Bolivia. Both groups have adapted effectively to living in the harsh Andes climate; however, they have adapted quite differently from each other. This paper will be used to describe several of the similarities and several of the differences that exist between these groups. The ancient Andean tribes created a method of adapting to their environment known as 'verticality' or the 'vertical archipelago.' The tribes that lived in these hostile mountain regions created a series of pastures and croplands that often stretched for "sixty or more kilometers from top to bottom, [which] allowed a critical mass of people to assemble who could undertake the enormous work of terracing"
Abstract This paper looks at the Lenni-Lenape tribe. It includes their spiritual and intellectual beliefs and a description of the environment in which they lived. Also described briefly is the history of their contact with the English, Spanish and other invaders, beginning with a look the Spaniard Pedro Mendez in 1570 and continuing through to a look at the Englishmen under Governor William Berkley in 1644. The paper also discusses the Lenni-Lenapes of modern day from the 1920's.
From the Paper "Two outstanding leaders met and stopped a war between the English colonists under John Smith and the Lenape Indians under Chief Powhatan. As part of the treaty, Chief Powhatan was crowned King of the Delaware territory, in 1609, through the diplomacy of John Smith. Unfortunately, John Smith was recalled to England in 1609 after a dispute with the London Company's managers. The result of his recall was full-scale war between the English and the Lenape. The war lasted until 1613 when Pocahontas married an English colonist named John Rolfe and Chief Powhatan grudgingly called a truce between his people and the English."
Abstract This paper explores Patricia Hersch's 1998 text, "A Tribe Apart: A Journey into the Heart of American Adolescence" and outlines the central beliefs and assumptions which inform her work. It also considers the corrective action Hersch believes must be taken if certain arresting (and deeply troubling) trends in society are to be halted. Finally, the paper also considers how successfully Hersch's text serves as a example of how adults and adolescents can learn to communicate with one another by the former allowing the latter to speak for themselves.
From the Paper "At its core, Hersch's book is about the idea that children are paying the price for the social un-mooring of the 1960s and 1970s. That is to say, many of "today's" children - Hersch's book was released in 1998 - are growing up without the support and supervision of adults and are therefore not instructed in how to grapple successfully with the challenges and responsibilities of school, social life, even participation in a democratic society. Hersch proceeds onward to note - and here she draws upon a comment by Peter L. Benson of the Search Institute - that America has somehow forgotten what is necessary for the raising of healthy, productive children (12). In a real sense, young people today are becoming a "tribe apart" because the harried adults of the 1990s and 2000's are finding it difficult to incorporate the supervision and counseling of young people into their lives. "
Abstract The paper looks at the main causes of rainforest deforestation, which are logging, agriculture and cattle grazing. The paper reveals that Japan has the highest amount of rainforest product consumption in the world and discusses the country's proposed road that is contributing to further deforestation. The paper then discusses the loss of tribal plant knowledge but focuses on the Yanomami tribe who are helpless as the government, Brazilian soldiers, poachers, cattle ranchers and other invaders continue to destroy their homeland, culture and health. The paper concludes that because we care for our own well-being and survival, we must care for the survival of the forests which is essential for present and future generations.
From the Paper "Rainforests are the richest, oldest, most productive and complex land ecosystems on our planet. These humid and dense forests are home to over half the wild animal and plant species in existence. Rainforests are filled with all kinds of biological treasures that include hundreds of thousands of plant, animal, and insect species, most which have not yet been discovered. Biologist Norman Myers notes, "Rainforests are the finest celebration of nature ever known on the planet." They help to control the balance of atmospheric gases and have an immense impact on the world's climates. Earth's rainforests are commonly referred to as the "lungs of our planet." The turnover of oxygen that the hundreds of thousands of plant species in the rainforests produce is one of our primary defenses against global warming and the greenhouse effect. Rainforests regulate the flow of water to rivers and lakes, and release water into the atmosphere to form rain clouds. It is no exaggeration to say that future life on this planet may depend on their survival."
Abstract This paper explains that the Hopis of the Three Mesas in northern Arizona were hunter-gatherers, but they began subsistence farming about 1200 years after they migrated northward from Mexico. They still are known for growing small, blue ears of corn without any irrigation. The author describes this matrilineal society, their pueblo homes, complex belief system and their dependency on tourism but not on gaming. The paper concludes that the peaceful Hopis are one of the few remaining traditional tribes in the United States, fiercely proud of their heritage and culture.
From the Paper "The Hopis have a complex belief system, based on their cornfields and the growing season. They believe in over 300 different types of Kachinas, or spirits. They hand carve the Kachinas out of cottonwood roots and other woods and then decorate them with paint and handmade clothing. These Kachina dolls serve as toys for young girls, but they are also extremely popular with tourists who visit the mesas. Many of the Kachinas also participate in the elaborate dances and religious ceremonies held throughout the year."
Tags: pueblo, subsistence farming, kachina dolls, craft children
Abstract This paper explains that India, which was so integral to the economic interests of Great Britain, was the critical reason for the struggle for supremacy between Britain and Russia in Iran, Afghanistan and Central Asia for much of the 19th and early 20th centuries. The paper points out that this power struggle, known as the Great Game in Asia, attempted to bar Russian influence in the region and to curtail Russian advancement deep into Iran. The paper describes that the game was played like one of 'cat and mouse' with the British saw themselves as cats and the Russian as mice, yet the cats were mostly paranoid and fearful of the mouse's reprisal.
From the Paper "Witte's assertion arose from the consolidation of the Caucasus beginning with the reorganization of Russian troops as well as controlling tribal unity. Promises were made to Muslim tribesmen where Russia offered to allow indigenous customs and faith to remain; both factors led to a quick Russian victory over the area. Between 1859 and 1864, most of the tribes had been overwhelmed by Russian advances. Now far into Muslim Asia, the thirst for glory perpetrated the ongoing Russian advancement into Central Asia (the areas east of the Caspian Sea) which was a check to British power in the region."
Tags: iran india buffer weakness, bakhtiyaritribes
