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 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. "

Tags:native, american, women

Abstract
In this article, the writer makes a proposal for the essential content of a library exhibit that highlights the Native-American cultures of what is now known as New England. The writer discusses that the exhibit will focus on informing the local community about the influences on and contributions of Native-American cultures to the present culture.

Tags:Champagne, Berkhofer, Native American

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."

Tags:native, american, spirit

Abstract
This paper explores Native American tribes in the New World and how they conducted trade. According to the paper, there were hundreds of different tribes joined together in larger groupings, with their own political and social systems already in place when the first settlers arrived. Trade with the Indians developed into an important economic factor, especially as a survival mechanism in the earliest period, but thereafter both for certain goods the colonists needed and also as a factor in cementing relations and avoiding war, at least for a time.

From the Paper
"The Native American tribes in the New World did not constitute a single population but were often treated as if they did because they were so alien to the European settlers and their set world view. There were hundreds of different tribes joined together in larger groupings, with their own political and social systems already in place when the first settlers arrived. The settlers often saw the Indian tribes as a threat, but they also saw them as potential trading partners. Trade with the Indians developed into an important economic factor, especially as a survival mechanism in the earliest period, but thereafter both for certain goods the colonists needed and also as a factor in cementing relations and..."

Tags:native, american, trade

Abstract
This paper discusses the use of ceremony in Native American Indian culture, including the powwow and the Gourd Dance.

From the Paper
"Ceremony is something that American culture has largely dispensed with. Weddings are often conducted in bizarre locales such as in helium balloons or on the backs of jet skis or just by a justice of the peace instead of in an elaborate ceremony in a church that is replete with time-honored ritual. Religious rituals such as observing the Sabbath all day have been relegated to only a few of the most devout religious sects. Even rituals as common as..."

Tags:Native American Indian, culture, ceremony, ritual, powwow, Gourd Dance, communication

Abstract
This paper discusses African and Native-American religions and the student's opinion of the textbook, "Introduction to World Religion".

From the Paper
"African and Native American religions have both similarities and differences between themselves. African religiosity acknowledges the reality of God but does not define God. If anything, it confesses that God is unknowable. God, however, is viewed as Creator of everything and the Africans believe that there is only one God, so African religions are monotheistic. There is also a belief in spiritual beings such as nature, spirits that are personifications of heavenly or earthly objects, and phenomena such as the..."

Tags:African religion, Native American Religion, Christianity

Abstract
This paper discusses the original uniqueness of Native American Indian identities in terms of their nations, tribes, and culture as expressed through gender, language, and literature and the scientific image of the Indian.

From the Paper
"The cultural, tribal and national identities of Native American Indians are marked by uniqueness that is defined in part by language, literature and gender. The scientific image discussed by Berkhofer was developed by Euro-Americans in their representations of Indians but also figured into tribal and national identities impacting Indians at a conceptual level. While Native American Indian nations and tribes originally had distinctly different cultures that shared neither a universal language nor a known historical experience and consisted of hundreds of aboriginal..."

Tags:uniqueness, Native American, Indian, tribe, nation, gender, language, literature, culture, scientific image

Abstract
This paper explores and analyzes the Native American Mascot Controversy, which has stirred considerable debate in North American society - especially in the United States where Native American mascots appear to be far more common than they are in Canada. Over the next few pages, this paper argues that, while there are legitimate reasons for permitting schools to continue with Native American mascots, there are more compelling reasons for not allowing the practice (as it takes place currently) to continue. Specifically, native mascots as they are utilized today in many American schools (Florida State University being the most obvious example) perpetuate stereotypes that hurt Native Americans and do nothing to better inform whites who harbor formulaic assumptions about their Native American brethren. In the end, a smart maneuver would be to keep the mascots, but to cut down on the stereotyping and care-worn formulas that make native mascots in America so offensive.

From the Paper
"There can be little doubt that the Native American Mascot Controversy has stirred considerable debate in North American society - especially in the United States where Native American mascots appear to be far more common than they are in Canada. Over the next few pages, this paper will argue that, while there are legitimate reasons for permitting schools to continue with Native American mascots, there are more compelling reasons for not allowing the practice (as it takes place currently) to continue. Specifically, native mascots as they are utilized today in many American schools (Florida State University being the most obvious example) ..."

Tags:racism, Canada, sports, offensive

Abstract
This paper presents a comparison and contrast of the Native American culture with the Chinese culture. The paper claims that there are several similarities. "Native American" and "Chinese" are all-encompassing descriptive terms of the many different tribes and dynasties of each culture. Both cultures have rich, meaningful customs that are still passed on today, unlike many ethnic groups that have lost some of their culture due to the changing times. The paper contends that Chinese and Native Americans still believe in their own form of mythology. The paper discusses the social, political, and economical aspects of these two cultures.

Outline
I. Introduction
a. Two Richly Historic Societies
II. Social
a. Native-American Creation
b. Birth of Chinese Culture
c. Compare and Contrast
III. Political
a. Native-American Politics
b. Chinese Political Systems
c. Compare and Contrast
IV. Economic
a. Early Native-American Economy
b. The Start of Chinese Economics
c. Compare and Contrast
V. Conclusion

From the Paper
"Throughout their history, Native-Americans have been historic people of change. Food discovered and domesticated by Native-Americans would transform the diet of the incoming settlers and not just the offering that has been made famous as the "First Thanksgiving." Native-Americans also made many important contributions to modern medicine, art, architecture, and ecology. It is not widely taught but during the thousands of years preceding European contact, the Native-American people developed ingenious and creative cultures. They harvested plants for food, dyes, medicines, and textiles. They hunted and domesticated animals. They also established extensive patterns of trade which helped them build cities, "produce monumental architecture, developed intricate systems of religious beliefs; and constructed a wide variety of systems of social and political organization ranging from kin-based bands and tribes to city-states and confederations" (Mintz, 2003)."

Tags:cherokee, indians, shang, dynasty