Abstract This paper discusses the NativeAmerican's struggles with mainstream American life along with the hardships brought on by the new cultural dilemmas.
From the Paper "In modern day American life there are several unique cultures that co-exist within the United States boundaries. These unique cultures are all captured within the term American, but unlike the term American symbolizes, we are all not the same. Each culture shares within itself some history of its beginnings. These beginnings are what make it out to be different."
Abstract This paper evaluates the alternatives, which are available for members of the NativeAmerican 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 NativeAmericanculture. The paper relates that, within NativeAmerican 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 discusses the concept and historical social role of two-spirited individuals in NativeAmericancultures and explores the relationship of the Cherokee social structure and gender roles with respect to the various dimensions of the two-spirit concept.
From the Paper "Perhaps the most important practical aspect of traditional Cherokee gender roles is the division of labor, while the most important social aspect is that of matrilineage. Women produced all the major household necessities, such as pottery, baskets, and many other crafts, and supplied their household with firewood and water. They were generally responsible for planting, tending and harvesting crops as well as gathering wild edible plants, and of course, the bearing and nurturing of children. Men, on the other hand, produced hunting and fishing tools as well as weapons and canoes, all of which they used to perform their traditional gender-designated labor activities including the hunting game and warfare."
Abstract This study is restricted to consider only those NativeAmericancultures 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 NativeAmerican 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."
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 NativeAmericans 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:nativeamericans, indians reservations history culture assimilation tradition
This essay presents a look into the Disney Corporation's power to stereotype and marginalize the Native-Americanculture, focusing on the movies 'Pocahontas' and 'Peter Pan'.
Abstract In this article, the writer examines the images and discourse surrounding NativeAmericans in Disney movies. The writer discusses Disney's ability to marginalize the Native-Americanculture through their prevalent role in popular culture, their stereotyping of the culture through the images they use of NativeAmericans and the discourse and language they use in the movie and the movie's songs. The writer also utilizes the critical perspective in order to clarify the problems with Disney's representations of NativeAmericans. Disney's stereotyping is discussed and illustrated through a description of the images of Pocahontas and the Indian characters in Peter Pan.
Outline:
Introduction
Review of the Literature
Disney as Popular Culture Discussion, Analysis, and Critique
Concluding with Power and Privilege
References
Appendix A
Appendix B
Appendix C
Appendix D
Savages (Part 1)
From the Paper "Now, I will explore the images and portrayal of the character Pocahontas in the movie Pocahontas and I will compare the physique, clothing, and characteristics of the cartoon images versus real life images of Pocahontas. If you take a look at the cartoon version of Pocahontas, it is apparent that her proportions are unrealistic and is nothing like the images that we have of what the real Pocahontas looked like. Her leather dress is rather short, low-cut, and form-fitting. This portrayal of Pocahontas is degrading compared to what the real Pocahontas looked like and can especially be seen as degrading when looking at the Disney merchandise of Pocahontas, especially the Barbie Doll of Pocahontas, in which her midriff is exposed. This showing of her midriff is degrading and unnecessary due to the fact that at no point in the movie was her midriff ever showing, and yet the maker of the Barbie chose to expose her stomach for apparently no reason at all."
Abstract This paper looks at the arrival of Europeans on North American shores with respect to the way that it affected the lifestyle of NativeAmericans. It focuses on the diseases introduced to North America by these Europeans. The paper begins by providing a background to the way of life of the NativeAmericans before the arrival of the Europeans. It then turns to the arrival of epidemics in North America, responsible for NativeAmericans suffering higher mortality rates than at any other time in human history. The most common diseases introduced to the "New World" at the time are discussed as are the affect these diseases had on the NativeAmerican mortality rate. The paper then turns to the way that the lifestyle of NativeAmericans was affected by these diseases. It speaks of the weakened ability to resist colonization and the Europeanization of NativeAmericanculture. It concludes by proposing the argument that the introduction of these epidemics was not accidental, and that they were intended to weaken the defenses of NativeAmericans against the colonizers.
From the Paper "In early America, when people of three continents came together, the Native Americans were dramatically affected by epidemics, suffering higher mortality rates than any other time in human history. (Geier, 1991) People from Latin America, North America and Europe merged, each carrying and introducing diseases indigenous to their own societies.
"When the Native Americans first encountered common European diseases like smallpox, measles and dysentery, millions died. In extreme cases, 90 percent of certain Indian tribes died as European epidemics swept through their villages."
Abstract This paper explores the beginnings, history, culture, language and religions of NativeAmericans. The paper explains that they are believed to have come to the Western Hemisphere from Asia via the Bering Strait or along the North Pacific coast. The paper also describes the many different types of languages of the NativeAmericans, their living conditions in the 20th century and some of the Native Indian religious beliefs.
From the Paper "The main language family of the Northwest Coast were the Nadene in the north and the Wakashan, a subdivision of the Algonquian-Wakashan linguistic stock, and the Tsimshian, a subdivision of the Penutian linguistic stock in the central area (Natives Pp). They had a highly stratified society with chiefs, nobles, commoners, and slaves, and are famed for their artwork of ceremonial items such as rattles and masks, weaving and basketry (Natives Pp). Moreover, they had woven robes, furs, basket hats, wooden armor and helmets for battle, and their culture included cannibalistic rituals (Natives Pp)."
Abstract The writer of paper explores the current situation affecting the majority of the once proud NativeAmericans who now suffer from alcohol and substance abuse as well as declining general health. This paper historically details the life of NativeAmericans prior to the arrival of the English. The NativeAmericans lived in relative harmony with their surroundings and as contributing members to the land. This paper examines how the arrival of the English brought with them domination and a disrespect for the harmonious way of life the NativeAmericans had adopted. This paper discusses the fact that the English introduced alcohol to the Native-Americans. Prior to the introduction of alcohol the natives were seen as fit, athletic and lean people, whereas the people of today are often seen as obese and sickly. The writer contends and explains why alcohol is not the only problem introduced by the Europeans. This paper examines the the cultural genocide that has occurred among the natives who suffer from higher than average death rates, higher tuberculosis rates and a generally poor overall level of health.
From the Paper "Alcohol abuse is no the only problem introduced by the Europeans; today as a result of the cultural genocide that has occurred among the Native Americans, people living in these communities often suffer from higher than average general death rates, higher infant mortality and childhood death rates, higher tuberculosis rates and a general poor overall level of health regardless of ones age. In addition there is a generally inaccessibility to adequate health care facilities and a tremendous lack of preventive programs for health improvement among the population, all of which can contribute to an increased abuse of alcohol and other addictive substances. Most natives probably content themselves with living an impoverished lifestyle and have to turn to substances to take their mind off of the poor quality of life and healthy they must endure day after day."
Tags:native, american, health, substance, drugs, alcohol, abuse, english, europe
Abstract In this article, the writer notes that intolerance of native religion is a theme that pervades Native-American studies, as the conditions that many Indian nations suffered were guised with a highly religiously motivated idea of manifest destiny. The writer discusses that the Cherokee nation was no exception, as many members sought to live a life that was chosen for them, rather than made by choice. The writer points out that early in the Cherokee history there were struggles with conversion, indoctrination and intolerance of traditional ways. The modern Cherokee movement has tended to meld Christianity, forced upon them by white society, with the spirit of the old knowledge and religion, which like many other native nations was a core aspect of life. The writer concludes that this movement was so effective that the resurgence of Native-American religion today is a revival attempting to make sure that the traditions do not die and that the oldest of the generations has the opportunity to build and spread the faith and language of the elders.
From the Paper "The Cherokee had a structured egalitarian society and in many ways were very "civilized" from the start with structured towns, rather than nomadic villages that moved with the seasons, a credit given to many other nations and part of the reason they were designated as one of five civilized tribes. The Cherokee were divided into seven clans, as seven was a sacred number to them and they had a war chief and a peace chief, Red Chief and White Chief, with a head medicine man that decided quarrels between the two chiefs who really worked in cooperation to rule the nation. Lineage was patrilinial and matrilineal with the father than the maternal grandmother sharing lineal duties such as naming children and such. The nation also had a subsistence economy where commodity was currency and there was little need for cash, the nation in fact resisted labor employment even into the beginning of the 20th century."
Abstract This paper, written in first person, begins with how the writer's knowledge of NativeAmerican'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 paper addresses the continued controversy surrounding the use of NativeAmerican 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 NativeAmerican 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.
Abstract This paper discusses treatment of NativeAmericans? rights to their sacred sites under US Constitutional law. Three law journal articles are reviewed and utilized to form a thesis promoting the concept of communal religious rights. Historical background is provided also.
From the Paper "The first clause of the First Amendment to the Constitution of the United States of America states: ?Congress shall make no law respecting an establishment of religion, or prohibiting the free exercise thereof.?[1] However, throughout U.S. history, the federal government has deliberately restricted and prohibited the religious practices of North America's indigenous Native Americans. Rather than confront this severe blight on the country's human rights record, the various branches of the Euro-cultured U.S. government gloss over past transgressions of First Amendment rights, even as they attempt to justify new violations of Native Americans? religious rights."
Abstract Discusses how the first European settlement of Southern New England disrupted the NativeAmericanculture of the region. Differing structures and social systems of Indian & European cultures. King Philip's War (1675-1676). The issue of land ownership, and scarcity of good, arable land leading to friction and eventual violence.
From the Paper "Southern New England was the home to a complex civilization when some of the first European settlers to the New World came to the area that is southern and eastern Massachusetts, the eastern part of New Hampshire, Rhode Island and most of Connecticut. Although there were regional differences throughout this area caused by differences in the environment as well as by the inevitable differentiation of people into subcultures, this region was unified by what can be viewed into a single cultural group. That culture -- along with the lives of individual American Indians -- would be in large measure destroyed during the 17th century as their culture came into conflict with that of the Europeans.
This paper takes as its focus the culture of the Native Americans of Southern New England and also why it was so terribly..."
Abstract Often people have the wrong concept of an American Indian. Children 's conception of NativeAmericans often is developed from the media. Often NativeAmericans are sent to school and lose their concept of the NativeAmerican as well as the language of their people.
