Abstract
This paper studies the research of Kelly and Francis in "Navajo Sacred Places" and suggests that through understanding the non-natives can come to understand the importance of land and consider it as 'sacred' as the Natives do.

Abstract
This paper explains that the four centuries old disputation, between Muslims and Hindus over the Ayodhya site, is difficult to resolve because the particular geographical context of the place itself produces symbolic understandings. Next, to comprehend the meaning of this place, the will to control it and its spatial organization, the author analyzes the construction of this conflict across history from the perspective of sacred and political geography. The paper describes a proposed solution by the Indian court to split Ayodhya between the parties; however, the author underscores that controversies about legitimacy are hard to resolve. The paper includes several colored illustrations and footnotes.

Table of Contents:
Introduction
The Historical Dimension of a Topical Conflict
History of the Control of That Key Site
Contemporary Dimension of the Conflict: It Generates a Spatial Organization
Sacred Geography: Meanings And Claims Of Legitimacy
The Territorialization of the Divine to Legitimate the Occupation of the Land
Settling Controversies of Legitimacy and Appropriation Of Space: The References to Archaeological and Institutional Discourses
Political Geography: Fundamentalism as an Exploitation of Religious Themes and Geography to Legitimate Actions and Occupation of the Space
Spatial Dimension of Hinduism Used to Legitimate Political Power: The Development of Nationalist Movements
Ayodhya, a Space of Ethnic Conflict
Ayodhya, a Conflict between a Secularist India and a Hindu One
Conclusion

From the Paper
"Since the 1980s, the Indian state of Uttar Pradesh has been at the heart of a long lasting dispute between Hindus and Muslims concerning the site of Ayodhya. One hundred and fifty years ago, Hindus began to dispute the Babri Masjid mosque built in 1528 by the Mughal emperor Babur. This mosque was erected precisely on the ancient location of a supposed Hindu temple built on Rama's alleged birth place, and Hindus accuse the Muslims of having destroyed the temple to build the mosque instead. Lord Rama is the most revered figure in Hinduism, hence the very symbolic value of the place."

Tags:legitimacy, symbolic value, scientific evidence, nationalist movements, secular

Abstract
The paper discusses that the term 'Indian giver' has come to be a synonym for someone who gives something, only to take it back. The paper further explains that it was the Indians who were forced to give to the Europeans--their knowledge about farming and fishing in the Americas and ultimately their land. The paper discusses that in Jack Weatherford's book, "Indian Givers: How the Indians of the Americas Transformed the World," the exchange between Europeans and Native Americans was an unequal one, with Europeans taking of the positive benefits of the New World, while the Indians were doing all of the giving. The paper concludes that unwittingly, the Indians found themselves the recipient of the evils of European civilization, like slavery, and a disrespectful attitude to the land.

From the Paper
"According to Weatherford, the early post-Columbian contact of the Europeans with the native populace actually enabled the Industrial Revolution to change Europe, and ultimately the world. "Had Europe and America not come together through Columbus or some other connection, the industrial revolution would never have happened in the way we know it," because Europeans would never have gained access to the metals of the New World, or to Indian mines (Weatherford 57). This contact also generated the money economy of Europe and fueled a shift to a European economy based upon real, hard, convertible currency. Metal-based currency also was critical in fueling industrialism and world trade. By beginning the book with tales of South American encounters with Europe, which were particularly brutal and unequal from the beginning of the Indian-European relationship, Weatherford initiates a tragic tone, explaining how enslaved South American Indians mining gold and silver in Potosi supplied the precious metals for most of the European coins that generated wealth for the Old World at the expense of the liberty of the New World."

Tags:indians, slavery, european

Abstract
This paper examines how the Plains Indians lived in the period prior to the arrival of the white man and in the generations immediately following the white man's arrival. Specifically, it considers the huge tract of land these peoples called home and the difficult climactic conditions foisted upon the Plains Indians people by a natural environment that was alternately extremely cold or extremely hot. Additionally, the paper describes the earth lodges the Plains Indian tribes customarily built near rivers and the teepees (and wigwams) they created to serve them as they traveled across the land looking for food.

From the Paper
"The following paper will look at how the Plains Indians lived in the period prior to the arrival of the white man and in the generations immediately following the white man's arrival. Specifically, the next several pages will look at the huge tract of land these peoples called home (it encompasses much North America) and time will be devoted to looking at the difficult climactic conditions foisted upon the Plains Indians people by a natural environment that was alternately extremely cold or extremely hot. Proceeding onward, the paper will look at the earth lodges the Plains Indian tribes customarily built near rivers and the..."

Tags:how, plains, indians

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. "

Tags:California, Native, Americans, Indians, colonists, Europeans, reservations

Abstract
This paper explains that Leo Tolstoy's "How Much Land Does a Man Need?" is set in Russia; however, the story reflects the nature of the Americans and how they took advantage of their native Indians. The author points out that the story has four characters: The younger sister and her greedy husband Pahom, who are peasants and represent the Americans; the older sister, who is the European relative, visiting her younger sister and boasting of the high class lifestyle of Europeans and, of course, the Devil, who is greed itself. The paper relates that Tolstoy ends the story by stating that, when a person dies, he takes nothing with himself and his final abode is in a land, which is not hundreds of acres but only "six feet from his head to his heels."

From the Paper
"One day a peasant from beyond the Volga came to Pahom and was given food and a place to stay at Pahom's house. He told Pahom about the land from where he has come and the immense opportunities that are present there. People were getting 25 acres of land for joining the commune. Tolstoy described the height of rye to be "as high as a horse" to show the temptation that Pahom was facing as he heard this. The temptation is best described by Tolstoy with the words "Pahom's heart kindled with desire." "

Tags:parable, materialism, land, american, indians

Abstract
This paper discusses the issue of First Nations land claims in Canadian politics. The writer provides an overview of the different viewpoints and the chief arguments on both sides of this topic, which has been and continues to be a source of controversy. The paper discusses what the effect of a different attitude towards land would make to this unresolved problem.

From the Paper
"The issue of First Nations land claims is an ongoing saga in Canadian political and legal circles, and one which shows no signs of coming to a mutually agreed conclusion in the short term. Scholars have argued that one of the key obstacles in the resolution of this issue is the differing understandings of the concept of land and property in Aboriginal and mainstream Canadian society."

Tags:land, culture, indians

Abstract
The paper discusses McWilliams' thesis in "Southern California: An Island on the Land" that California, the golden state of great wealth was built by exploiting individuals who never enjoyed its riches and were often unjustly denied the name or rights of Americans. The paper is of the opinion that McWilliams' book, although first written in 1946, is a strikingly refreshing text to read against more conventional and seemingly balanced histories. The paper explains that McWilliams' passionate history seems to better express the land and why California is still so complex, so racially divided and provokes such passion today.

From the Paper
"Carey McWilliams' title of his history of Southern California, Southern California: An Island on the Land, suggests that Southern California encapsulates a unique culture, as distinct from the rest of the United States, almost like an island nation. Although tied to the land, the colorful constellation of cultures, political personalities, and economic speculation that influenced the region caused it stand apart from the rest of the nation. McWilliams attempts to explain some of the extraordinary developments that occurred during the region's history, even before it became a state."

Tags:exploitation, Indians, Mexicans, Spanish, Christian, missionaries

Abstract
This paper is a book report on the book "Sacred Geography of the Ancient Greeks" by Jean Richer. The paper notes the way that the author examines astrological symbolism as found in art architecture and landscapes and presents what he finds in terms of the astrological theory accepted by the ancients and then in terms of the way they represented these ideas in their art and architecture. The paper discusses the many photographs and maps of the ancient world that the author makes use of.

From the Paper
"Jean Richer is an academic with a firm grasp of aspects of the ancient world. He has written numerous books aspects of ancient art and the society that produced that art. In the book Sacred Geography of the Ancient Greeks, Richer examines astrological symbolism as found in art, architecture, and landscapes, presenting what he finds in terms of the astrological theory accepted by the ancients and then in terms of the way they represented these ideas in their art and architecture. He provides a detailed examination of the topic, many photographs of the works of art he discusses, maps of the ancient world showing alignments with various celestial and astrological features, and tables and charts that help the reader picture some of the relationships discussed. The book offers an interesting discussion of the topic in a well-written narrative."

Tags:sacred, geography, richer

Abstract
This paper discusses the issue of sacred representation, particularly those that are Christian in nature, in modern film using the movies. The paper uses the films, "Seven," "The Green Mile" and "Dogma" as examples. The paper also includes an annotated bibliography.

From the Paper
"Chris Arthur stated that there are some important questions as yet unanswered as to where film intersects or should intersect with religion in contemporary society Arthur believes that popular film can be an important ..."

Tags:Film, sacred representation, Seven, The Green Mile, Dogma