Native American Education Essay
The United States government began a relationship with individual Native American nations. The government developed contracts that negotiated land agreements. The Native American nations gave up their homelands in exchange for protection provided by the United States government. A connection based on trust was established so that each party could fulfill their obligations. However, problems began when one group failed to fulfill their responsibilities. The problems that occurred in the past with the government and Native Americans result in several natives not being able to trust the government today. The United States government does not even create treaties with Native Americans anymore. Native Americans need to receive repayment in order
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to regain integrity from past wrongs. Native Americans should receive compensation for land being taken away, change of lifestyle, and poverty.
The Caucasians argue that taking the Native American’s land away was intended to help them and not to harm them. However, this was not the case because it hurt Native American tribes tremendously. The Indian Removal Act was passed by Congress on May 28, 1830 after months of bitter debate not only in Congress but in the press (Hamilton). This act gave the President the power to initiate land exchanges with Native American nations residing within the states or territories. However, the Native Americans made the decision not to move, but the government forced them. Native Americans were not given a choice on whether or not they wanted to move away from their homelands. The Cherokee population numbered in the thousands and a gradual removal was planned; but when gold was discovered on Cherokee land the removal was rushed. Caucasians came onto the Cherokee land and disregarded all treaties made. The President ignored the Native Americans cry for help, and Caucasians continued to destroy Cherokee land (Hamilton). During the autumn and winter of 1838 the last of the eastern tribes were rounded up and detained in concentration camps before being forced to march west (Hamilton). This march which took the life of one in four Indians is commonly referred to as the “Trail of Tears.”(Hamilton). Native Americans were forced to leave their homelands and adjust to unfamiliar places. The Choctaw, Cherokee, and Creeks were removed to Oklahoma along with numerous other tribes (Hamilton). Forceful relocation changed their physical and ecological environment. The land was unfamiliar and they were forced to live with other tribes that could not speak their language or understand their customs and traditions. Hunters and gathers soon became farmers due to the different environment. Environmental consequences also affected the Native Americans daily lives; for instance, the Choctaws used the environment to make herbal medicines to treat common colds and prevent other illnesses (Kidwell).
The Caucasians argue that changing the Native American lifestyle was meant to teach the natives the Caucasian way of living.
However, the Native Americans did not want to convert to a different lifestyle. Boarding schools were built to educate the children in the white dominant culture. The schools were used to assimilate the native tribes into the American way of life. The Caucasians thought it was necessary to civilize Native Americans, and to make the natives accept the Caucasians beliefs and values. If a boy arrived with long hair, which symbolized pride in natives, their hair would be cut off. Children were given standard uniforms in order to prevent native clothing in school. Children were also given new “white” names, and were not given traditional Native American food. Children were treating poorly in boarding schools and punishments were cruel. The boarding schools separated families and attempted to destroy the Native American culture and beliefs. While attending the educational systems natives were punished and shamed for talking in their native tongues and expressing themselves. The Native American’s way of communication united them as a tribe; because of this, the whites did not want them to have their language. Not allowing expression of Native Americans resulted in the belief systems to be ruined. This resulted in the loss of identity in Native Americans. People started to become ashamed of being native because of how the Caucasians were teaching the natives to act. Traditions and knowledge of the homeland and culture still exist today because they were kept alive by
elders.
Even though change was occurring, Native Americans were victimized and discriminated against. American Indians experienced violence purely because of their skin color. The amount of disrespect natives experience because of the past is something several Indians could share. Society has stereotyped Native Americans and does not treat them as equal individuals still in today’s world. Derogatory names for financial gain occur with American Indians, but do not affect other ethnicities. The Indian mascot such as “Redskin” allows people to humiliate Indians without permission. Mistreatment to tribes in the past is why Indigenous people do not trust the government. Once the reservations were taken away the Native Americans became less traditional. This occurred because Indians on reservations are more culturally involved rather than Indians who do not live on reservations.
The Caucasians argue that Native Americans do not deserve any money because the natives have been repaid fully. However, this is not true because Native Americans are one of the poorest ethnicities. Financial relief would benefit several Indians because of the poverty they experience. Benefits come with being Native American, but there is not enough assistance for people stuck in poverty. Even though health care is free to Native Americans, it is a very slow process. The U.S. Commission on Civil Rights found that Native American healthcare only covers about 60% of health needs (“Health”). Native American healthcare is not very good; therefore, financial restitution could help tribal hospitals improve. Although the Caucasians may think they have repaid the natives, to the Native Americans the repayment has only begun. The amount of money that natives have not received is why someone finally took a stand for the native citizens. Elouise Cobell added up the Native American trust money lost, located, and mismanaged by the U.S. government and the tab came to at least 58 billion dollars (Corley). Cobell took her research to court, and she has slowly but surely won money back for the tribes. The Native Americans should not just receive the money they make from their casinos, and that is why Cobell took a stand. The Natives providing for themselves does not justify the financial obligations the government has. The Caucasians see Native American’s financial benefits as far greater than what they essentially are. Throughout the presidency of Barack Obama, he has gotten involved and tried to help the Native Americans by working to strengthen health care and infrastructure. Dave Archambault is quoted by Katie Zezima as saying “I know what the president is making is not going to solve all of our problems overnight. I know that it's not going to undo all the wrongs that have been done to Native Americans or to Indian country, but it's going to inspire a lot of people.” By inspiring more people this could result in more Native Americans coming together to fight for compensation.
Ultimately, the Native American culture is sacred and not fully understood by non-natives. The historical effects of the land disputes had a lasting impact on Indian territories; some tribes were never able to be fully restored. The change of lifestyle in Native Americans resulted in devastating consequences that left emotional scaring on several tribes and tribal members. The American Indians lost their language and purpose of life. Educational methods tore apart families and tribes. Financial restitution should be granted to Indigenous people for all the wrongs they have encountered. History has empowered Native Americans to continue to fight for their privileges. Although Indians have received financial payback, the land is what the native people truly want back. The land is sacred and meant more to the American Indians than money ever will. Compensation will never be able to justify all the generational devastations Native American faced.
to regain integrity from past wrongs. Native Americans should receive compensation for land being taken away, change of lifestyle, and poverty.
The Caucasians argue that taking the Native American’s land away was intended to help them and not to harm them. However, this was not the case because it hurt Native American tribes tremendously. The Indian Removal Act was passed by Congress on May 28, 1830 after months of bitter debate not only in Congress but in the press (Hamilton). This act gave the President the power to initiate land exchanges with Native American nations residing within the states or territories. However, the Native Americans made the decision not to move, but the government forced them. Native Americans were not given a choice on whether or not they wanted to move away from their homelands. The Cherokee population numbered in the thousands and a gradual removal was planned; but when gold was discovered on Cherokee land the removal was rushed. Caucasians came onto the Cherokee land and disregarded all treaties made. The President ignored the Native Americans cry for help, and Caucasians continued to destroy Cherokee land (Hamilton). During the autumn and winter of 1838 the last of the eastern tribes were rounded up and detained in concentration camps before being forced to march west (Hamilton). This march which took the life of one in four Indians is commonly referred to as the “Trail of Tears.”(Hamilton). Native Americans were forced to leave their homelands and adjust to unfamiliar places. The Choctaw, Cherokee, and Creeks were removed to Oklahoma along with numerous other tribes (Hamilton). Forceful relocation changed their physical and ecological environment. The land was unfamiliar and they were forced to live with other tribes that could not speak their language or understand their customs and traditions. Hunters and gathers soon became farmers due to the different environment. Environmental consequences also affected the Native Americans daily lives; for instance, the Choctaws used the environment to make herbal medicines to treat common colds and prevent other illnesses (Kidwell).
The Caucasians argue that changing the Native American lifestyle was meant to teach the natives the Caucasian way of living.
However, the Native Americans did not want to convert to a different lifestyle. Boarding schools were built to educate the children in the white dominant culture. The schools were used to assimilate the native tribes into the American way of life. The Caucasians thought it was necessary to civilize Native Americans, and to make the natives accept the Caucasians beliefs and values. If a boy arrived with long hair, which symbolized pride in natives, their hair would be cut off. Children were given standard uniforms in order to prevent native clothing in school. Children were also given new “white” names, and were not given traditional Native American food. Children were treating poorly in boarding schools and punishments were cruel. The boarding schools separated families and attempted to destroy the Native American culture and beliefs. While attending the educational systems natives were punished and shamed for talking in their native tongues and expressing themselves. The Native American’s way of communication united them as a tribe; because of this, the whites did not want them to have their language. Not allowing expression of Native Americans resulted in the belief systems to be ruined. This resulted in the loss of identity in Native Americans. People started to become ashamed of being native because of how the Caucasians were teaching the natives to act. Traditions and knowledge of the homeland and culture still exist today because they were kept alive by
elders.
Even though change was occurring, Native Americans were victimized and discriminated against. American Indians experienced violence purely because of their skin color. The amount of disrespect natives experience because of the past is something several Indians could share. Society has stereotyped Native Americans and does not treat them as equal individuals still in today’s world. Derogatory names for financial gain occur with American Indians, but do not affect other ethnicities. The Indian mascot such as “Redskin” allows people to humiliate Indians without permission. Mistreatment to tribes in the past is why Indigenous people do not trust the government. Once the reservations were taken away the Native Americans became less traditional. This occurred because Indians on reservations are more culturally involved rather than Indians who do not live on reservations.
The Caucasians argue that Native Americans do not deserve any money because the natives have been repaid fully. However, this is not true because Native Americans are one of the poorest ethnicities. Financial relief would benefit several Indians because of the poverty they experience. Benefits come with being Native American, but there is not enough assistance for people stuck in poverty. Even though health care is free to Native Americans, it is a very slow process. The U.S. Commission on Civil Rights found that Native American healthcare only covers about 60% of health needs (“Health”). Native American healthcare is not very good; therefore, financial restitution could help tribal hospitals improve. Although the Caucasians may think they have repaid the natives, to the Native Americans the repayment has only begun. The amount of money that natives have not received is why someone finally took a stand for the native citizens. Elouise Cobell added up the Native American trust money lost, located, and mismanaged by the U.S. government and the tab came to at least 58 billion dollars (Corley). Cobell took her research to court, and she has slowly but surely won money back for the tribes. The Native Americans should not just receive the money they make from their casinos, and that is why Cobell took a stand. The Natives providing for themselves does not justify the financial obligations the government has. The Caucasians see Native American’s financial benefits as far greater than what they essentially are. Throughout the presidency of Barack Obama, he has gotten involved and tried to help the Native Americans by working to strengthen health care and infrastructure. Dave Archambault is quoted by Katie Zezima as saying “I know what the president is making is not going to solve all of our problems overnight. I know that it's not going to undo all the wrongs that have been done to Native Americans or to Indian country, but it's going to inspire a lot of people.” By inspiring more people this could result in more Native Americans coming together to fight for compensation.
Ultimately, the Native American culture is sacred and not fully understood by non-natives. The historical effects of the land disputes had a lasting impact on Indian territories; some tribes were never able to be fully restored. The change of lifestyle in Native Americans resulted in devastating consequences that left emotional scaring on several tribes and tribal members. The American Indians lost their language and purpose of life. Educational methods tore apart families and tribes. Financial restitution should be granted to Indigenous people for all the wrongs they have encountered. History has empowered Native Americans to continue to fight for their privileges. Although Indians have received financial payback, the land is what the native people truly want back. The land is sacred and meant more to the American Indians than money ever will. Compensation will never be able to justify all the generational devastations Native American faced.