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 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.
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 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 NativeAmerican culture. 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 looks at NativeAmerican Women and focuses on the changes in life that the Europeans brought to NativeAmerican 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 NativeAmerican 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 examines the conversion of NativeAmericans 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 NativeAmericans.
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 discusses the issue of NativeAmerican 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 NativeAmericans 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 NativeAmerican 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 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 describes the differing beliefs and outlooks of the NativeAmericans versus the European Colonists in the early 1600s. This author evaluates their differing views on such topics as technology, religion, the environment, women's rights, and slavery. The paper gives an honest appraisal of both sides' views and prejudices about the other. The author concludes that these base differences between the two sets of peoples, the Europeans and the NativeAmericans, were what sparked the distrust held by both nations that endured for hundreds of years.
From the Paper "The European colonists and the Native Americans of North American had very different views on nearly everything they encountered in their lives. Living in vastly different cultures lead both groups to generally have two extremely different outlooks on four main topics; religious beliefs, the environment, social relations, and slavery, differences which the colonists used this to their advantage when conquering the peoples of the New World."
An insight into the NativeAmerican religious system. The paper discusses six bases of religion and shows how religion has influenced the people and societies who support it.
Abstract Since the beginning of time religion has played an important part in people's lives. How people worship can be as varied as the lands they live in. The NativeAmerican Indians are a group that have many beliefs and rituals. This paper discusses how their religion is based on spirits and the belief of a higher power and that the ceremonies they perform can range from ones concerning harvest and giving thanks to Ghost Dances and Death rituals.
From the Paper "The Indians believe in Spirits and the supernatural. The Hopi Indians describe Spirits as a being that ?may have greater than human powers (Geertz).? They feel these powers can be evil or be able to accomplished great things. They believe kachinas are powerful because they can make it rain. A kachina is a powerful supernatural being, or one who possesses the being during a religious ceremony. The Hopi also believe that there are those who are invisible and help them with knowledge. They consider these spirits to have superhuman strength. Some such spirits which perform many feats in their tales are the Old Spider Woman and her grandsons, and the Sun god. The Hopi ask each being to help them in their lives using their own special gifts (Geertz)."
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
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 goes into great detail about NativeAmerican 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 is a paper about the different treatments toward blacks and NativeAmericans in colonial America by whites. The author looks at the differences and the similarities in the way these two populations were treated.
From the Paper "In dealing with "outsiders", White Europeans who controlled the continent held many similar views. These outsiders included the Native Americans and the African Americans. Both peoples were treated in parallel and in opposing ways by the whites in power. The most obvious way that the two groups were treated the same is that they were dealt with in a very ethnocentric way; whites assumed that they were superior to both groups. Both groups were not dealt with in the same way from the onset. Native Americans, who were living in the country long before the whites, were killed, stripped of their land, and mislead as to their future in the new white world. Africans were brought into the country, a large distinction, because whites needed them here. They were at first used as indentured servants, and it was a gradual change that shifted over to slavery. From there on came restrictive legislature, and a view of them as savages. The two groups were both treated differently by whites in terms of how they were oppressed, but the overriding theme in both cases is that the white Europeans saw both as inferior races."
