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Native American Culture and American Society
Native American Culture and American Society
By D. J. McAdam
Attitudes
in the Past
The attitudes of American society at large have changed
drastically toward Native Americans during my lifetime, but I have a feeling
that most of us who are not Native Americans still haven't gotten it
right.
When I was a boy, Native Americans - "Indians" - were
the one-dimensional bad guys in cowboy vs. Indian movies. The plot was as
predictable as it was lame: Indians would commit some atrocity on the nice white
folks helpfully trying to bring civilization to an untamed land;
romantically-portrayed cowboys would go settle the score, making the world safe
for cattle-ranching and winning the undying love and admiration of the local
schoolmarm in the process. The few deviations from this story line (such
as the Lone Ranger's Indian sidekick) were notable for straying from the script.
Still, we all wanted to be Indians. They were cool,
knew how to survive in the woods, knew how to tread silently through a forest,
dressed in loincloths, lived in tepees and carried tomahawks. And they
played tom-toms.
In the 1960's and 1970's attitudes changed. Indians were
the ones who'd gotten short-changed by the Establishment, lied to, used,
etc. Who couldn't identify with that? Of course, all these
good feelings never really translated, as far as I know, into much in the way of
actual benefits to Native Americans, but whoever wrote that book about burying
his heart at Wounded Knee sure made a bundle. Actually, whoever made those
two silly movies about Billy Jack must have made a bundle, too.
Then, suddenly, Native American culture became very "New
Age." They, it turned out, had been right all along, honoring the
earth and the buffalo when we'd been ignoramuses about the whole thing.
Well, actually, they had been right all along in this regard.
Attitudes Today
There are things we can all do today to explore and honor Native
American culture. The internet actually helps in this regard, opening up
whole worlds of resources that were once previously inaccessible. I think
it's great to read books about Native American culture, go to museums, buy
products that teach us about Native American values.
But I think the most important thing we can do as individuals in
our society is to ensure that Native Americans themselves are welcomed within
our society - not subsumed, not incorporated, not amalgamated, but
welcomed. Poverty, hunger, joblessness and higher-than-average suicide
rates are still problems that Native Americans cope with regularly. So are
those offensive mascots for teams with names like "Redskins." If
you're truly interested in Native American culture and values, don't let
your interest stop with a few books and posters - make it your business to
understand Native American issues and rights, and make your voice heard on these
issues.
Native American Links of Interest
Native American Heritage
Association
Baltimore Yearly Meeting of the Society of Friends - Indian Affairs
Committee.
Hopi
Snake Dance - an eyewitness account by Theodore Roosevelt.
A Line in the Sand -
information, opinion and source material on Native American sovereignty
issues including: archaeology, graves, repatriation and reburial.
Native American
Political Issues - explores the ongoing legal and political struggles
between the U.S. Government and the Native American Indian people.
Native American Religious
Symbols in Public Schools - essay on the use of religious symbols at
Wichita North High School.
Native American Spirituality - from the University of Virginia.
Native Spiritualism - of historical interest.
Southwest Indian
Foundation
United Native
America - A nationwide grass-roots movement to bring about a federal
national holiday for Native Americans. Once you stop and think about it
(maybe that's the problem), it's incredible to think that "Americans" do
not have a national holiday honoring Native Americans. If you want to do
a worthwhile thing today, please visit this site.
Western
Shoshone Sovereignty Litigation - western Shoshone people take legal
action to protect their territorial integrity.
Folklore - see links under "Native
Americans"
Financial Aid for
Native American Students
What Should "Native Americans" Be Called?
Here's a question that few people want to take on - it's
impossible to answer to everyone's satisfaction, and it's impossible to ever be
completely politically correct in answering it. The problem is this:
Calling persons "Indians" perpetuates Columbus' mistaken thought
that he had, somehow, reached India. Besides, there already are Indians,
living in India. You can call them "East Indians," and call those who are
native to what is now known as America "American Indians," but;
The term "America" comes from the name of an Italian mapmaker.
Of course, that also presents a problem for the term "Native Americans," since
the land these persons are native to wasn't always known as "America," and why
use a European-derived term to describe persons who had nothing to do with
Europe?
I've had lots of interesting chats with folks about this
question. One, who was a "Native American," suggested that we could use
the term "Native Person." My problem with that is that we're all "Native
Persons" of somewhere.
The reason I like "Native American" is this - it doesn't have
anything to do with India, and it does indicate that these are persons who lived
in what is now known as America before settlers from other areas of the world
arrived. Even though "America" is a European-derived term, it is what the
land is called now. Germany wasn't always called "Germany," Britain wasn't
always called "Britain."
On the other hand, in New Mexico, "Indian" is a common term, and
no one thinks it politically incorrect. In the end, respect counts more
than correct terminology.
O Great Spirit . . .
Chief Yellow Lark
O Great Spirit whose voice I hear in the winds, hear me. I
come before you one of your many children, I am small and weak, I need your
strength and wisdom. Let me walk in beauty and let my eyes ever behold the red
and purple sunset. Make my hands respect the things you have made, and my ears
sharp to hear your voice. Make me wise so that I may understand the things you
have taught my people, the lesson you have hidden in every leaf and rock. I seek
strength not to be greater than my brother but to fight my greatest enemy,
myself. Make me ever ready to come to you with clean hands and straight eyes so
that when life fades as a fading sunset my spirit may come to you without shame.
One Final Thought
I am, like many people, interested in a variety of spiritual
topics. I'm often surprised that "fellow seekers" in America overlook the
fascinating spiritual heritage of Native Americans in their quest to find
something more "exotic." Before planning that next trip to Tibet, consider
investigating Native American beliefs here on the North American continent.
You may be amazed at what you find.
Interesting Links:
Ibiida Lahaa
- This DVD, featuring Native American music, is said to reduce stress, focus
one's intellect, and increase awareness.
Last of the Dogmen
- Interesting film somewhat related to Native American culture.
The Logan Elm
      
Thanks to the nice folks at Google, you can search our site for a particular term or phrase:
Web
www.djmcadam.com
Copyright D. J. McAdam
1997-2007
Native Americans
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