Do the Native American Indians derserve more from the government?

1. 75

   backporchstoriesposted 11 years ago

   How many of you out there have Native blood coarsing through your veins.  Have you been following the political strife of the Native Indian People of today?  Some live in third world conditions as a result of the governments surpression.  How many of you feel they were dealt the short end of the stick and do they deserve better?

   replyreport
   1. 70

      Cagsilposted 11 years agoin reply to this

      Special privileges? Or are you talking about equal rights?
      No. Their struggle is no different than that of anyone else in this Country. And to claim there is is absurd.
      Many people live in third world conditions. Government is only bias against those who haven't wealth or status or political juice.
      I feel like government has short changed all of society, except the wealthy and those who have political juice.

      replyreport
      1. 75

         backporchstoriesposted 11 years agoin reply to this

         I am not talking privileges....just being able to live a decent living with their beliefs.  They did not receive the right to their to practice ceremony until 1972!   Generations today are broken down from not having structure families because the government seperated generations before from their own parents and family...trying to similate them into white society.  And worse, the land given to them has been shrinking as other people steal the land our from under their feet.  It is a well known fact that land is stolen today....ask any Indian from a northern reservation.

         replyreport
         1. 70

            Cagsilposted 11 years agoin reply to this

            So you're talking rights.
            Interesting. I don't know why.
            This makes no sense. Want to clarify please?
            This happens to everyone.
            Fact, huh? Oh okay, if you say so.

            replyreport
            1. 60

               Paul Wingertposted 11 years agoin reply to this

               "Some live in third world conditions as a result of the governments suppression". Not buying it. Some blacks say the same thing. Tell that to people like Bill Cosby, Oprah, and President Obama. A person's success in life is what they make of it. Not saying that everyone in the US will becomes rich (not  everyone has rich parents like Trump or Gates, or the golden opportunity or talent to give them a huge advantage), but to make a decent living for themselves and their family. To site around with this negative attitude and bitch about the government is a waste and not going to get anyone anywhere. The government never told any group of people that they can't get a job, go to school and better themselves. The first thing these people need to do is shut up and get off their ass and get out of this "poor me" BS. I'd love to have the benefits that these Native Americans have, but some rather sit on their ass and bitch about nothing. All I can say is let them sit on their ass and bitch, that means there will be more job openings for people who want to better themselves.

               replyreport
               1. 75

                  backporchstoriesposted 11 years agoin reply to this

                  To be successful in America, you have to play their game and leave your old tradition behind.  If you had to choose between your church and success would you choose success?  There are many out here with your view, but many out there fighting for their traditional rights to fish, hunt and gather and particitpation in ceremonies that uphold their spirit!

                  replyreport
                  1. 80

                     Uninvited Writerposted 11 years agoin reply to this

                     Well, no one gave a time limit for the treaties they signed...
                     
                     I don't know for sure but there are rumours some of my family from Newfoundland were aboriginals. No proof yet.

                     replyreport
                  2. 60

                     Paul Wingertposted 11 years agoin reply to this

                     I have no problem with Native Americans keeping their traditions. language , and culture, I'm all for that.. My direct ancestors, on my dad's side, were from Switzerland. In the early 1700's they converted to Mennonite which didn't fly with the state church. They were forced to convert to Catholicism or face the consequences. In 1749, My direct descendant was arrested and died in the hands of the church officials for refusing to go to church. His wife and kids escaped out the country and headed for the colonies here in the US. So I understand the concept of having someone else force his or her beliefs on someone else. I'm more bothered to see these Bible thumping missionaries trying to convert people like, Native American, into brainwashed Christians. They claim that the Native Religion is pagan and so on. My message to these missionaries is to "Leave these people alone! They have survive for countless thousands of years and will continue to do so without you!" Sorry, had to get that out. Since I'm not religious, actually I'm atheist, I can all sides. I lived on the Washington Olympic Peninsula and familiar with the Makah  and S'Klammam tribe. They have a couple casinos here and a nice tribal museum and cultural center. They are permitted to kill one whale a year (with the right permit and all) or their traditional ceremony. A couple years ago a couple renegades went out in their canoe and illegally killed a while and were charged with poaching and all hell broke out. Even the tribe frowned on that. They are still granted to kill one whale a year, but poaching is a huge no no. Anyway, you mentioned "many out there fighting for their traditional rights to fish, hunt and gather and participation in ceremonies that uphold their spirit!" Can you give an example? I see no problem unless it hurts other people or the environment. But no government is going to give anyone the okay to hunt an endangered animal. As an extreme example of  religion and beliefs, in Tanzania, Africa, albino babies and children in the region have been targeted because of a belief peddled by witchdoctors that their body parts can be used for magic potions. These sick bastards are cutting their arms and legs off because it's believed that these limbs bring good luck. http://news.bbc.co.uk/2/hi/africa/7733597.stm Can you imagine cutting off an arm or leg off a newborn? I don't think Native American traditions are near  that extreme, but jus pointing out that there are some traditions that are going on in other countries that , all you can say is “WTF?!”

                     replyreport
                     1. 75

                        backporchstoriesposted 11 years agoin reply to this

                        You are so right.  Supression has existed thoughout the world.  It was not until 1972, that the Native Indian were granted the right to practice ceremony.  Up North, on Pine Ridge Reservation, there is very little place to hunt and gather.  They are on unfertile land.  One family is raising a decent crop of hemp (not the kind with THC, but industrial hemp), but everytime they get ready to harvest, the government comes in and burns the crop!  One company started by a family on the Reservation, was making a good start to their business with great potential to grow even bigger, but needed a small business loan.  They went to all the banks and were turned down, despite their book showing a sound business that was turning profit.  Certainly can not ask for the land back....we are way beyond that, but there are sacred sites that should seriously be considered for returning and preserving.
                        There were over 300 tribes or more before Europe came, they all had traditional ways that sometimes differ because of the environment surround each tribe.  But in general , the Native Indians were first peaceful, and expressed compassion in many ways.  Most wars between the tribe were not bloody ones but games of honor and bravery, though if threatened, the Indians were masters at warfair among their kind.

                        replyreport
   2. 91

      MarleneBposted 11 years agoin reply to this

      I have some Indian in me. And, sure, I could check the box for Indian heritage and gain some perks from that. But, I don't. I feel it is time to move on. Things happened. They just happened. People dealt with it the way that they did. Too much time has been devoted to trying to compensate for the mistakes of our fathers. It's time to look around, see what we have today, and start building from that platform. People have spent their whole lives devoted to trying to get back from the government all that they believe the government took from them. These people should realize by now that the government is not going to give it back. It may not be fair, but it is what it is. People need to stop being the poor disgruntled Indian and start being a proud American. It's time!

      replyreport
      1. 75

         backporchstoriesposted 11 years agoin reply to this

         There are no "perks" from checking a box!  The offense to the Indians is still happening today, trust me on that!  I married an Indian and it is so sad to learn of what still exist today!  My brother in law only recieves 200 a month...not enough to live on and the places some of these reservations are located are in areas that makes it impossible to create jobs and decent education.  There is much wrong in our own back yard for our government to take on other country issues.  Most outside of the US, look down upon the Americans because of how we treat them today!  The government is good at keeping alot of it hush hush too!

         replyreport
         1. 91

            MarleneBposted 11 years agoin reply to this

            I hear what you said, but, please believe me on this - I am part Indian. There really are perks for being part Indian. If I check the box, then I am entitled to receive certain benefits entitled to people with a minimum of 1/4 Indian. Yes, there are perks.
            
            I have a question, and I don't ask this question to be insensitive, but...  is there a law that says if you are Indian you MUST live on a reservation? I know Indians who left the reservation and got regular jobs like the rest of us and they are doing quite well. It's the people who insist that they must stay on the reservation and take money instead of make money who are suffering. If we want to talk about injustice, my great grandfather was the son of a slave. Think about it, that's not that long ago. In this world, people can rise above it all, be proactive, and do things on their own to make their lives better. I can't imagine sitting around waiting for a check for $200 a month. I'd just have to get out and try to do something to earn more money. The government is not going to do right by the Indians. There is nothing which indicates that they ever will. It's just time to stop fighting for something that will never happen. It's time for Indians to get off the reservation (prison), incorporate themselves into maiinstream America and do something more for their lives. I say this as a person who has relatives who did just that and life is so much better for them now.

            replyreport
            1. 75

               backporchstoriesposted 11 years agoin reply to this

               You are not required, however, most people stay on the Res, because their families are there and so are the traditions and the language!  Some stay because it is all they know.

               replyreport
2. 77

   lovemychrisposted 11 years ago

   100%

   replyreport
   1. 75

      backporchstoriesposted 11 years agoin reply to this

      May I ask what tribe?

      replyreport
      1. 77

         lovemychrisposted 11 years agoin reply to this

         Oh, I'm sorry---not Native, just believe 100% that they deserve better.

         replyreport
3. 59

   janesixposted 11 years ago

   What exactly do you think they(we actually) deserve?

   replyreport
   1. 75

      backporchstoriesposted 11 years agoin reply to this

      Ability to be who they are without the stigma!  An apology for all the broken treaties....and not one treaty is standing unbroken.  Casino are a copout!  Most tribes who allow gambling, do not make the money as the general public are led to believe.  The middle man takes the biggest cut and he is not Indian!  I realize, as state my another earlier, a lot of water has gone under the bridge and we can not turn back and change it all, but we can start understanding their plight and giving it a voice.

      replyreport
      1. 59

         janesixposted 11 years agoin reply to this

         I don't have any stigma being Cherokee. I don't need any apologies. I'm an American, born in the 70's. All the rest is the past.

         replyreport
         1. 75

            backporchstoriesposted 11 years agoin reply to this

            Glad you are happy and proud!  Question?  Do you ever hear from others about a Cherokee Grandmother who is a princess?  I come across children today that are astounded that Indians still exist!  There are over 300 Native Indians in prison over trying to maintain and practice their traditional ways.  Are you traditional?  Just curious.

            replyreport
            1. 59

               janesixposted 11 years agoin reply to this

               No, im not traditional

               replyreport
   2. 75

      backporchstoriesposted 11 years agoin reply to this

      http://backporchstories.hubpages.com/hub/the-mascot
      
      This is one of many issues that effect the Indian people in a negative way!

      replyreport
4. 60

   SomewayOuttaHereposted 11 years ago

   i agree backporchstories......in Canada too....basically they deservered more a long time ago - i'm talking about better treatment...but many folks do not know about the plight and history, etc....nor care...and we still have reserves...why?...and those reserves shrank and shrank and shrank...employment is low, educational opportunities have not been there for first nations living in Canada, cultural differences have not been addressed...and yes, some of the culture, history and beliefs were taken away...and many times by force...in Canada, we had residential schools and forced people to speak english and believe in a god they had no reference to. In Canada, we took away their children and sent them to church run schools ....abused them, etc.....the impact is still being felt by first nations living in Canada....long term impact ....years of repression...languages have been lost or are dying...there are more than a few hundred first nation languages in Canada - most people don't know that...don't care either.  I touched on a nation in the US in one of my hubs...i travelled to the Pine Ridge Indian Reserve - it is one of the poorest areas in the US...in Canada, we have a few like that too...but, most people don't care....
   
   I do.......

   replyreport
   1. 75

      backporchstoriesposted 11 years agoin reply to this

      Thank you for your words!  It is so true, we are the shame the authority wants to quietly sweep under the carpet.  I am also well aware that Canada is no different than the US as far as treatment and acceptance towards the Original People.

      replyreport
5. 70

   crazyhorsesghostposted 11 years ago

   I am of Sioux Heritage and will never forget what was done in the name of Christ to my people. My Grandmother and her brother on my fathers side were taken from their homes on the Pine Ridge reservation in 1918 during the flu pandemic and sent to live with Christian families in North Carolina. They did not know the people they were sent to live with. They were brought to NC and used as slave labor. All in the name of Christ.
   
   My Uncle returned a few years later to Pine Ridge  and he died I am sure of alcoholic related problems in 1961. My Grandmother married a Cherokee and died in North Carolina.
   
   When they were brought to North Carolina they were forbidden to speak Sioux and my uncles long hair was cut. They were both I think in their early teens when they were brought to North Carolina. They were beat every day when they first came to NC and my uncle ran away five years later. He and my Grandmother wrote to each other but they never saw each other again.
   
   Do you know that not one treaty that was ever made with Native American people was ever kept. They broke every single treaty they ever made.
   
   I think the US Government should have to pay either money or lands back to the Native American people. In case your wondering yes I am a member of A.I.M. I will never forget what was done to the Native American people but I have come full circle and made peace with the past. I believe all Americans need to come together and try to restore the American Dream. That is so important but the average American doesn't even realize what our government is doing to them on a daily basis. We are all in this together and we need to save American from the politicians from both parties who are slowly but surely destroying the country I love.
   
   Many reservations in this country are some of the poorest places on earth. I see it almost every day and I see the poorest of the poor suffer. But our US Government turns it's back on the Native American people and on all of the poor of our country. We need to worry about problems here in the USA before we ever worry about people in other countries.
   
   I and other people raid dumpsters almost every night to feed hungry people here in the USA and I don't see any politician raising hell about hungry people. I see commercials begging for money to be sent over seas when we have many hungry children here in our own country. We need to take care of our own before we worry about people in other countries.
   
   Tonight we provided over 8000 meals in five cities in the American south and 90 percent of that food was raided from dumpsters. It always gets bad as the end of the month draws near.
   
   We have a real problem here in this country and people need to wake up and realize it before its to late. Don't play party politics. Stand up for you and your fellow Americans Because we are all in this together.

   replyreport
   1. 75

      backporchstoriesposted 11 years agoin reply to this

      This so so so true Brother!  America needs to wake up.  One day the average American will be treated with the same indifference and poorly.

      replyreport
6. 70

   crazyhorsesghostposted 11 years ago

   There is no law that says any Native American must live on a reservation. Some people just choose to live on reservations because their families have quite often for hundreds of years.
   
   I know people on public assistance but they get more than $200.00. Most of the people I know get between $400 and $500 a month. Still not a lot to live on.
   
   To many of us our heritage is important and that is why many people stay on the reservation. I don't live on the reservation but I have 20 acres and a home to go home to if I ever wish to.
   
   Heritage is very important to some and to me also. I hope the Native American people don't ever give up on their heritage. This is what the white man has been trying to do to us for hundreds of years. I left the reservation to make a living years ago. I keep one foot in the white mans world and one foot in my peoples world.
   
   Reservation life is hard but to some people even some young families I know their is no other way. I for one don't want anything from the white man but I would fight to the death to protect my heritage which is very important to me. And also to many others.

   replyreport
   1. 60

      SomewayOuttaHereposted 11 years agoin reply to this

      +++++1....yeah, don't loose it...protect it...some folks in Canada don't acknowledge borders between Canada and the US...i like that actually...traditional territories didn't have borders until..........well, you already know ...good to run into you CHG...i like what you posted..both posts

      replyreport
      1. 75

         backporchstoriesposted 11 years agoin reply to this

         Aho!

         replyreport
7. 93

   habeeposted 11 years ago

   I'm part Cheyenne, on my dad's side - way back. Even before I discovered this, however, I always felt that the NAs were treated horribly by white European immigrants taking over America: introducing smallpox, wiping out the buffalo to starve tribes, hundreds of broken treaties, etc. Of course, I'm not blaming people who are alive today for the sins of past generations. For example, my ancestors on my mother's side were huge slave owners, but that's not my fault. IMO, however, it's a tragedy that most NAs live in such poor conditions today, in contrast to their once-proud heritage. I wish I knew the answer to the problem.
   
   "Help" from the government is what caused many of the problems for NAs. Instead of retaining their self-sufficiency, they were forced to become "wards of the state," largely dependent on the government.

   replyreport
   1. 75

      backporchstoriesposted 11 years agoin reply to this

      Thanks for adding your voice to this forum!

      replyreport
8. 60

   Druid Dudeposted 11 years ago

   Restoration of the original land treaty boundaries. Don't know where all the non-tribals are going to move to. Maybe they should make reservations!

   replyreport
   1. 75

      backporchstoriesposted 11 years agoin reply to this

      The Black Hills, which is sacred ground, would be the worst to transend back to the Indians.  It would be nice if all would say, "Okay, here is your land back....", but we all know that would be impossible and inhumane for those who have since settled and created their lives there.  But education of the REAL history of the Indians vs the US would be a great place to start.!

      replyreport
      1. 70

         crazyhorsesghostposted 11 years agoin reply to this

         Very true. Many so called Indian wars were slaughters by the white man on the Native American people.
         
         Such as Wounded Knee and many others.

         replyreport
   2. 60

      Druid Dudeposted 11 years agoin reply to this

      Been awhile since I was in the vicinity of the Black Hills. New York State would cease to be except for the Hudson River from Albany to NYC if it just went back to the Revolutionary boundaries

      replyreport
      1. 60

         Druid Dudeposted 11 years agoin reply to this

         And here's one I'm sending out to Cagsil...The U.S. has never liked the Iroquois...which was  a group of nations w/ one government BEFORE the euro-conquerors showed up...so, they did, indeed, attack a sovereign nation....because the Iroquois backed Great Britain in 1776.

         replyreport
         1. 75

            backporchstoriesposted 11 years agoin reply to this

            Yes indeedy!

            replyreport
9. 60

   Druid Dudeposted 11 years ago

   By law, if someone is in possesion of stolen property, whether they know they are or not, they are liable for criminal prosecution. How can this nation be a nation of law abiding citizens when such a glaring double standard exists. And NO. No other people have had everything taken away. And it's not all ancient history. Up until the seventies, it was typical for native children to be removed from their homes and connection to their culture, and adopted into 'white' homes. These repercussions are still being felt directly, right here, right now.

   replyreport