Native Americans, American Indians, or indigenous people, however you want to call them, they were the original inhabitants of the Americas. Yes, I said the Americas, because I am including everybody from Canada to Argentina. All over this big continent the native peoples were displaced, robbed, enslaved and killed. They were deemed savages because they were different.
People came from Europe and they knew better, they wanted all and the best for themselves. In some places the natives got exterminated, in some places they got reduced to small populations. In some countries like Mexico, Bolivia and Peru, there is a large indigenous population, and you can see their ancestry in their physical appearance and in their customs. In some countries like Brazil and Venezuela, there are tribes that live as their ancestors did before colonization and they are protected by the local governments.
Lets talk about the US, Native Americans in the US seem to be invisible. They were pushed around until they were granted areas of land that no one else wanted and were reduced to reservations with no real quality of life. They were granted citizenship in their own land in the fifties. Okay, this is a big generalization, but don’t the majority have endured this of what I speak?
Like with other groups, Native Americans are not one big group, they are comprised of many different ethnic groups, with different as well as rich cultures and ways of life. I find it disheartening that so much of those cultures were lost due to extermination and forced assimilation.
A friend said to me, “Native Americans are all rich they have the casinos”. No, that is a small minority. Here are other stereotypes:
- They live in Tipis
- Do not want to get an education
- Wear feathers
- Drink too much or are alcoholics
- Lazy
- Savages
- can’t manage money
When Looking for stereotypes I found this that explains the stereotypes.
I do not know that much about Native American culture, but I would love to learn more. I have heard that they have a great sense of community, family and sharing.
I think Native Americans have been abused and very underestimated. Share your thoughts… what does it mean to be Native American?
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I wish I knew more about or indigenous relatives who cross the Bering Straits ice bridge 10,000 years ago and populated North, Central, and South America. Unfortunately, Britain sent an ethnic-cleansing brigade to America in the 1600’s to eradicate them. for most Americans they are sad archetypes presented in Western films or casino operators.
They were systematically annihilated, raped by crafty treaty terms, and driven to drunkenness. They were the soul warriors who traversed the open plains in unity with nature. It doesn’t mean anything to be Native American anymore, which is the saddest part.
i like native american,and i will like to know more about native american.
AMERICA SHOULD GIVE THE LAND BACK TO THE NATIVE AMERICANS THEY POKE THEIR NOSES IN SOUTH AFRICAN BUSSINESS ..WE NEVER TREATED OUR BLACKS THAT BAD OR THERE WOULD BE NONE LEFT
WE WERE AS PROUD OF OUR FLAG AS ALL THE OTHER COUNTRIES ARE ..BUT WE HAD TO GIVE IT UP FOR ONE WE DID NOT VOTE FOR ..IT IS TIME AMERICA AND THE REST OF THE WORLD CLEAN UP THEIR OWN BACKYARDS BEFORE TRYING TO CLEAN OURS…BUT FOR US IT MIGHT BE TO LATE OUR TOWNS ARE DIRTY ..WE OVER RUN WITH PEOPLE CROSSING OUR BORDERS..WE HAVE HEALTH MINSTER THAT DOES NOT KNOW HER ARSE FROM HER ELBOW….AND FOR THOSE THAT MARCHED AGAINST THE APARTHEID GOV. THE STATE SOUTH AFRICA IS IN NOW IS THANKS TO YOU..BUT GOOD LUCK FOR THE FUTURE WE WATCHING YOU ELECTION WITH GREAT AMUSMENT GETTING YOUR OWN BIT OF AFRICA
Johnnypeepers hasn’t a clue to the present day Native Americans. It’s only his own narrow view. Indian Country in the Americas is alive and well. We are thriving in the present day society and yes, do have casinos along with poverty and unemployment.
I am Native American…learn before you stick your foot in your mouth Johnny.
well, hi admin adn people nice forum indeed. how’s life? hope it’s introduce branch
wow! it would be so nice to learn about the cultures and languages of the Native People! I’m from Canada and i agree that the Natives have been pushed around too much and is treated far worse than Woman or African-American people or any other visible minorities. i hope that in the future i would get to leatn more about you people! it’s so nice to hear your opinion sometimes because others are so ignorant!!!!
my name is ronda “moontalker” i am verry happy to see that so many people think the way i do. i am a part of the s.e.c.c.i. group of georgia. it stands for sout eastern Cherokee council inc. i am part cherokee part patowatomee and part chocktaw. i am a suferer of bullying at my highschool in quincy michigan. i belive we should be treated better than what the non-natives treat us! we welcomed the beginners with open arms but they tuned us down and left us in the dust so i say thank you to whomever whrote this artical!
Ronda,
I admire greatly the Native cultures, their commitment and respect for nature, family, community and their balance.
It is disheartening to me see the treatment they have endured in their own land.
You should be proud of your heritage!!
Di.