The Misrepresentation of Native Americans
Native Americans arrived in North America some 15,000 years ago, long before the Europeans came to colonize it. These people were indigenous to America, but were forcefully removed in a completely horrific fashion. Americans today don’t fully understand the culture and background of Native Americans and thus have created a wide variety of stereotypes about them. To what extent have stereotypes about Native Americans led to their misrepresentation in Western Society? This paper will expose the truth about Native Americans.
Many stereotypes exist about Native Americans today. In the 18th and 19th centuries, pictures depicted Native Americans killing and/or capturing white people. “The most prevalent …show more content…
Americans can work to prolong the culture and traditions of Indians by creating organizations to keep artifacts and give money to keep places like reservations and camps running. For example, “Tribes lacked control of their own ceremonial items and even their human remains until the 1990 Native American Graves Protection and Repatriation Act required federal agencies and institutions that receive federal funding to return Native American "cultural items" to their descendants and tribes.” Other examples of Native American help groups include Americans For Indian Opportunity, Indian Land Working Group, and the First Peoples Fund. These agencies help to give back what was taken from the Indians by the Europeans, “In response to the issues facing Native American heritage, economic prosperity, and health, a number of government programs have been put in place to level the playing field for people of native descent. These range from grant programs for cultural programs to education trusts for Native American students. These programs have significantly improved the numbers of Native American students that complete college, and have in a sense contributed to the economic advancement of those students. The overall efficacy and full value of these education programs, however, will not truly be understood for quite some time.” With help from organizations like these, native Americans can be more accepted in society and have a stronger presence in America. There are many things you can do to combat stereotypes and help Native Americans. A great way to witness their society is to visit and volunteer on a reservation. As you stay there and live with Native Americans in their homes, you will begin to see their culture with a much different perspective than all the false stereotypes you hear and see today. Another way to combat stereotypes is to discuss Native American issues. Talking about the history and
Native Americans arrived in North America some 15,000 years ago, long before the Europeans came to colonize it. These people were indigenous to America, but were forcefully removed in a completely horrific fashion. Americans today don’t fully understand the culture and background of Native Americans and thus have created a wide variety of stereotypes about them. To what extent have stereotypes about Native Americans led to their misrepresentation in Western Society? This paper will expose the truth about Native Americans.
Many stereotypes exist about Native Americans today. In the 18th and 19th centuries, pictures depicted Native Americans killing and/or capturing white people. “The most prevalent …show more content…
Americans can work to prolong the culture and traditions of Indians by creating organizations to keep artifacts and give money to keep places like reservations and camps running. For example, “Tribes lacked control of their own ceremonial items and even their human remains until the 1990 Native American Graves Protection and Repatriation Act required federal agencies and institutions that receive federal funding to return Native American "cultural items" to their descendants and tribes.” Other examples of Native American help groups include Americans For Indian Opportunity, Indian Land Working Group, and the First Peoples Fund. These agencies help to give back what was taken from the Indians by the Europeans, “In response to the issues facing Native American heritage, economic prosperity, and health, a number of government programs have been put in place to level the playing field for people of native descent. These range from grant programs for cultural programs to education trusts for Native American students. These programs have significantly improved the numbers of Native American students that complete college, and have in a sense contributed to the economic advancement of those students. The overall efficacy and full value of these education programs, however, will not truly be understood for quite some time.” With help from organizations like these, native Americans can be more accepted in society and have a stronger presence in America. There are many things you can do to combat stereotypes and help Native Americans. A great way to witness their society is to visit and volunteer on a reservation. As you stay there and live with Native Americans in their homes, you will begin to see their culture with a much different perspective than all the false stereotypes you hear and see today. Another way to combat stereotypes is to discuss Native American issues. Talking about the history and