Abstract This paper explains that a native anthropologist is one who conducts research in their own society whereas a regular anthropologist conducts research in any society. The paper considers how some would argue that there should be a distinction. This paper presents the hypothesis that the distinctions between native and regular anthropology do not matter. To support this argument, the work of the following two anthropologists is considered; Vincent Crapanzano, who is considered a Native anthropologist because he is doing research in his own society and Anne Allison, an American doing research in Japan.
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
Abstract The paper discusses how Lawrence and Anderson (2005) approach the issue of power in Native communities from both a Native and a feminist perspective. The two main variables used are gender and race. The writer of the paper agrees that the intersection of gender and race are essential for the analysis of power. The writer explains that although class is not explicitly discussed in the article, it is strongly implied since Native women and their informal leadership are given secondary attention. The paper describes how the authors address the invisibility of Native women in politics and the absence of their vision and voice in political power.
Abstract Often people have the wrong concept of an American Indian. Children 's conception of Native Americans often is developed from the media. Often Native Americans are sent to school and lose their concept of the Native American as well as the language of their people.
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 evaluates the alternatives, which are available for members of the Native American 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 Native American culture. The paper relates that, within Native American 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 Native American Women and focuses on the changes in life that the Europeans brought to Native American 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 Native American 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, written in first person, begins with how the writer's knowledge of Native American'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 is an in-depth analysis of Sandro Botticelli's painting "The Mystical Nativity" (1500). It includes an analysis of the aesthetic, symbolic, and formal elements of the painting, as well as a short biography of the painter and a section on the theological implications of the painting. As a traditional Christian theme, the nativity is one of the most popular. This radical reinterpretation, however, combines symbolism from Revelation with the scene of the first coming of the messiah, creating a dynamic image. The style is a throwback to medieval formalism, and the distorted figures are a reference to a holier time, perhaps influenced by the resurgence of medieval ideology in the person of Savonarola, whose ideas heavily influenced this painting. The paper can serve as a demonstration of understanding of Renaissance religious symbolism, or as a deep analysis of a single work of art from the quattrocento.
Abstract This paper goes into great detail about Native American 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."
Abstract This paper examines the conversion of Native Americans 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 Native Americans.
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 examines the image of Native peoples in the novels "Tay John" by Howard O'Hagan with an after word by Michael Ondaatje, "The Vanishing Point" (author not known) and "The Scorched-Wood People" by Rudy Wiebe and in the play "The Occupation of Heather Rose" by Wendy Lill. The author points out that, in all four works, systemic racism plays a role in the oppression of the Native peoples. The paper relates that reverse discrimination and militancy are used to struggle against racism and oppression so that each work has a positive outcome.
From the Paper "The image of Native peoples, in the novels "Tay John", "The Vanishing Point", and The Scorched-Wood People as well as in the play "The Occupation of Heather Rose", is complex and variable. The patterns of systemic racism, reverse racism and the discrimination, which flow from them, are interwoven with social structures of which the oppressed very often are a part."
Abstract This paper looks at how the colonizing forces of North America, specifically the US government has continually been in conflict with the native peoples for the last four hundred years, focusing on land rights and usage. Issues discussed are relocation to polluted and toxic land, mining on native lands and re-appropriation of reservations for resources.
From the Paper "One of the major issues, and there are many, facing Native American Indians today is that of land usage and availability in many parts of the US. From the first contact with colonial explorers and settlers, the native peoples of the Americas have been fighting a losing battle with the white forces of power. What seems to be a simple negotiation of land and space is actually a complex series of issues that ultimately decide who has a right to live and in what way. These issues are in no way limited to European colonialism of the Americas, but for this paper, the writer focuses on the problems inherent in land rights in what is now the United States."
Abstract This paper discusses the issue of Native American 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 Native Americans 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 Native American 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 Native American 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."
