When one says American Indian, what comes to mind?
I found this in Indian Country today very interesting view and very true:
Dale Schlundt 2/2/14
" When one says AmericanIndian , what comes to mind? Is it the fierce-looking warrior on horseback or perhaps the individualin war paint holding arepeating rifle, ever ready for battle? We have so many political and societal issues being discussed regarding 21 st century American citizens, yet it is truly rare to hear any issues relatingto present-day American Indians present day being the key phrase.Isnt it unfortunate that a people who were forced to accept a European-based society are today left to betheir own advocates in the U.S., typically havinglittle voiceat all? If asked to picture a person of indigenous ancestry, I would argue a muchmorerealistic depiction would beone livinga modern American life, much like you and me. But manyalsocontinueto see thenegative effects of thepast thathave yet to be corrected. "..... article is much longer (Link)
Well worth your time to read.
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The tragedy is that this is all to true and what our people deal with on a day to day basis on our reservations.
And in many urban areas.
Kevin Gover - Kevin Washburn - Vine Deloria, Jr - Charles Wilkerson - Ely Parker - Jefferson Keel - John Collier. That's/They come to mind - leaders, mentors, activists of today's Indian people,
And just guess how many people even know who any of those gentlemen are?
Very true 1st like you said before (invisible)
We can listhundreds more 1st, in every field of endeavor. Yet, sadly we are invisible.
Larry, when I click on link, I get, ''this page cannot be found''.
Click on his headline it's there as well in the mean time I'll fix the link
Link is fixed and working now
This is the first thing that comes to my mind. My wife and I lived north of Santa Fe, NM, between Nambe and Pojoaque. So I can only speak of these few, but at least the Northern New Mexico pueblos seem to be attempting to regain their culture and sustain it as best they can.
I can only hope that the wisdom we tried to destroy can be regained.
Dear Friend Larry C.:
Those who have met me in real life tell me I don't look like what they pictured an Orthodox Rabbi to appear. I never know how to respond to that. Stereotypes rarely have any relation to reality. We are all the same human family. Our mitochondrial DNA is over a 99% match globally. If that weren't true, medicine and transplants couldn't work. But they do, daily.
When I think of Native and First Americans, no image of dress, skin tone orfacial characteristics comes to mind. I instead think of a myriad ofnations whose indigenous cultures and spiritual values allowed them to live in harmony and sustainably with nature for many thousands of years inthe Americas.
The image of that which comes to mind are the three sisters. Summer squash, corn and beans for stews prepared in the Long House for the First American Nations of Upstate, NY. When planted together, these three foods put back into the soil what they remove in nitrogen and other important nutrients. Their leaves giveeach other shade, andsecretions which protect againstnatural predators. In other words, as part of nature they respect it, take from it only what they need, and replenish it for a bright future. This is what comes to my mind, when reflecting on Native Americans.
If that is the greatest legacy of Native and First American cultures, it is one sorely needed on a planet of dwindling resources, exploding populations,and ever more polluted air, water and soil.
If we miss this about Indians of the Americas we may well be missing the bestrole models we need to follow for our very survival.
Peace, Abundant Blessings and a Willingness to Learn From One Another That We May Survive and Thrive.
Enoch.
True Steve - Grump and I both live in Albuquerque and are excited about the Pueblos and their desire to keep their culture and traditions alive and active. Same with the Navajo and Hopi and Apache.
Got it, thanks Larry.
When one says American Indians, the Navajo participation in WWII comes to mind. I learned about that in elementary school, and the picture in my mind has endured. Patriotism, and a unique character - including language - all their own.
I do wonder what the effect of the reservation systemhas on AI upward mobility. I don't know if having a reservation is important orunimportant. I don't know if this is something that should be maintained or phased out in favor of assimilation. I am genuinely ignorant when it comes to this, so I hesitate to make suggestions that would seem insulting.
OK then. Again, I'm ignorant when it comes to the societal construct, so take it as it comes.
I grew up in a tightly knit community of my own (Jewish) people, but in the construct of a neighborhood in a big city, full of communities of other people, having other walks of life. I was exposed, but not assimilated. As I grew older, I became more socially assimilated, while not losing my Jewish character. Today, that still holds for me, and the family I have raised. The mental picture of a reservation seems ghetto-like, where the exposure to the rest of society is limited. The sweeping theme of myquestionsdeal with the AI community as part of the rest of the community.My several-fold question is this:
1)Is this intentional?
a)If yes - do you think that if AI society was weaned from reservation life, would it not lead to a more socially/economically assimilated AI community? It would probably still be much like my childhood, where I lived amongst people much like myself, slowly getting out into the world.
b)If not -I do not understand why people would be forced into staying in this environment
c)Does a willingness to leave the reservation create a stigma within the community? Is it traitorous to "intermarry", despite the acceptance of the legitimacy of all other faiths and cultures?
d)Is the education given to AI children different/inferior to other American children?
I have more, but I think this is a good enough handful at this point.
Jonathan - there are so many "depends" in attempting to give you a fairly basic answer.
What effect? Depends on the reservation culture/political structure/traditions. Example - the Navajo - have a reservation, but their culture/traditions are strong and their influence is wide. The Chickasaw don't have a reservation and their culture/traditions are strong and their influence is wide.
Does it hold people back? Depends on the individual/tribe/setting/circumstances. Tex Hall - was chair of NCAI, is chair of his tribe, Ft. Bertold - successful businessman, well known throughout the U. S. - very influencial.
There are many, many others, but the solid answer is that - no, assimilation into dominant culture/society is not going to happen.
For those old enough to have watched that series it is perfectly understandable. That was the stereo type presented at that time.
The original Tonto was played by the actor Jay Silverheels who was from the Mohawk Nation
Unlike an actor who wanted to be Native American " Iron Eyes Cody " who was Italian
Chief Dan Joseph. He didn't quit, his horse did.
Jim, the guy I work with. Full blooded Cherokee, engineer and a really nice person.
The man who made my pipe-- it's a stick that is carved to show the wood beneath the bark, to make it look like a snake, with rose thorns for teeth. He was very kind to me.
The amazing people that I meet all the time, here in KY, who are part Cherokee, etc., and proud of it.
Jonathan, I'll try to answer your questions.
First off, less than 1/3 of Indians live on a reservation. Some reservations are poverty stricken, some are not. The ''Rez Porn'' that CBS and other reporters always cling to, is in many ways a false narrative, but it sells. So that's what they show. Many Indians that still live on the rez are ranchers, farmers, small business owners.
No, it is not traitorous to intermarry. Indians have the highest rate of intermarriage than any other minority.
Education..Now there is a sore point. It is inferior to all other American children. Lack of funding in some cases, lack of quality teachers/administrators in others.
You mentioned assimilation. To me there are two types of assimilation. When a group of people (Indians) are granted access to everything that non Indians are, they will assimilate all the while keeping their values, language, culture, and customs.
This is not the case with Natives. It is forced assimilation. Starting with the reservations which separated us from the rest of America. This assimilation was overseen and approved by the US government, and in the case of education, the Christian religions were part and parcel of the violation of human rights of Indians.
Most government policies were meant to destroy the Indian. From the Dawes Act, allotment act, to the Tribal Termination act 1953/73, Indian adoption ear, 1940 through in some cases today. Forced sterilization of Native women, 1960's and 70's.
The government has violated every, yes every treaty that then signed with Nation nations. The Boarding School era, 1890 thru 1980's. Some one of the most horrific acts perpratrated by the gov't and Christian religions on Indian people. You simply have to goggle it, to find out what transpired.
So you see, assimilation is not something that is considered a good thing by Indian people. Our religions were outlawed by the US government, so much of freedom of religion in the US. We could not speak our language in the boarding schools, our hair was cut by force. The old adage among the leaders of this horror was, ''Kill the Indian, save the child''..
The version that many seem to take, is that we should assimilate. My question is why? what have they done to make assimilation as it should be, allowing us to remain who we are and not force us into some bullshit stereotype.
I could go into much more detail, but I hope that this will help answer your questions.
We are hoping to get back up that way some day before we die. We would like to spend our last days in the mountains. We just love the culture up there.
We know where we can take you for breakfast
The ''Rez Porn'' that CBS and other reporters always cling to, is in many ways a false narrative, but it sells. So that's what they show.
Sounds familiar. That's a popular motif with the media, apparently.
You mentioned assimilation. To me there are two types of assimilation. When a group of people (Indians) are granted access to everything that non Indians are, they will assimilate all the while keeping their values, language, culture, and customs.
What do you mean by "granted"? Does this mean that some AI are not entitled to leave the reservation? Do you need some kind of permit to live somewhere other than the reservation?
So you see, assimilation is not something that is considered a good thing by Indian people. Our religions were outlawed by the US government, so much of freedom of religion in the US.
I'm assuming that the AIs religion is no longer outlawed. To what degree is it practiced, on and off, the reservation?
I've read about the plight of the AI nation(s) since the explorers came, and it's represents a rather embarrassing chapter in American history. As the country continues to develop, it seems like there is less and less room to wrong the right. Awareness is slipping, and excuses prevail. This issue seems to be on a shelf with lots of things that will just get worse, the longer they are ignored.
The version that many seem to take, is that we should assimilate. My question is why? what have they done to make assimilation as it should be, allowing us to remain who we are and not force us into some bullshit stereotype.
My "version", as it were, is based upon my personal experience as a someone who was sheltered from other peoples until I reached high school. I live in a fully assimilated society, but I "remain who I am". That is not to say that a great number who started like me are still distinctly "who they were". The choice was theirs. Admittedly, it doesn't help the perpetuation of the faith; conversely, the number of committed Jews in the world drops every year, unless you count the blackhats. Obviously, no version is the same as another. There are similarities in our situations, but clearly there are differences. As far as stereotypes are concerned, those will never go away. There will always be Indians in movies to wrongly perpetuate the stereotype, just as there will always be Jews somewhere, involved in some form of financial imbroglio. It is what it is, and you never get used to it.
You mentioned the inferiority of the education system. I'm wondering what an internal "push" would do for the AI community. If you have leaders, especially in the business community, they could probably buy in to the effect it would have within a generation or two. It would at least create a whole lot more shining examples.
Well, I see I'm starting to ramble a little bit. The bottom line is to stay on message. Consistency and stamina are needed in any issues of this nature.
Well, Larry, what comes to my mind is the fierce looking warrior on horseback ready for battle. Let me explain why.
My perception of Indians was formed by the time I was ten years old. It has changed little over time. Those early years are the most important of any child's life. Those years contain the events and experiences which give the child encouragement and/or discouragement in their behavior and values which last a life time.
My family was poor and we lived far away from other people in the country. My only exposure to others outside the family was through attending school, watching television, and reading books. My neighborhoodand playground was a forest. I could walk all day and leave the forest.
Naturally, children need activities and we were left to our own devices to entertain ourselves. With our toys being sticks, rocks, snakes, turtles, and the like, our options were limited. Pretending worked well for us. Pretending we were older, smarter, stronger, and wiser was the most fun. For some reason pretending to be Indians fit best.
We could have pretended to be pioneers, fighting the elements in search for that perfect place to live. Always struggling; never quite achieving theirever changing sense of happiness. Or wecould pretend to be Indians, who seemed to be at peace with their circumstances. Struggling? Yes, but content and happy with nature and each another.
I think also, we were influenced, even at our tenderage,by the perception that the pioneers were intruding on the Indians, using force if necessary. Whereas the Indians were willing to share what they had but ended up having to fightwhen the pioneers wanted it all.
So, yes, my vision of the Indian is of one dressed in war paint sitting upon his war pony preparing to defend his family and his way of life.
Very easy to see the logic you used as a child. It was a truth that you were raised with.
Came across this sentence in an article I was reading this morning which I think is appropriate to this post
That is exactly how most think in terms of "Natives".
There's a cartoon that exemplifies this too. I'll see if I can find it
Found it Larry. I always thought it says it all
All I have to do is look in the mirror
Cute
Funny. Reminds me of one time a Rabbinical Seminary class mate of mine and I were taking a stroll along the Tower of David in the Old City of Jerusalem.
Some West German television staff were filming a documentary on the City. They stopped us and asked us if we could portray Jewish People for their film. Laughing. My friend said, "You are in luck today"!
At the time, we were both fully bearded and looking very Rabbinical.
Excellent cartoon Palma.
When ya are what ya are, be what ya are, eh?
Well said. Smiles.