The struggle of Native Americans for their rights

Essay , 2001 , 5 Pages , Grade: A-

American Studies - Culture and Applied Geography

The struggle of Native Americans for their rights
Already by the time the first Europeans arrived in the “New World”, related and unrelated Native American families had joined in groups in order to survive in often harsh environmental conditions. (Fixico 1998: 58). One of the best known examples of this form of cooperation is the Iroquois League. At the end of World War II, when
“people were too preoccupied with the war” (Olsen 1984: 157), the first national organization of Native Americans, the National Congress of American Indians, was founded to “prevent any shift back towards assimilation” (Olsen 1984: 157). This was the first of many organizations devoted to the struggle for Native American rights, such as the Native American Youth Council, the American Indian Civil Rights Council, and, most importantly, the American Indian Movement. These groups have slowly adapted the measures and practices of mainstream America (Fixico 1998: 190), i.e. they use courts as a platform, they employ attorneys, and so on. Moreover, they have
the media attract public attention for them. Therefore, the struggle for Native American rights is an old struggle in new shape, which provides a strong connection with the past. In the following essay, I will summarize some of the most important rights American Indians struggle for today.

Inhaltsverzeichnis (Table of Contents)

• The Struggle for Self-Determination
• Human Rights and the Freedom of Religion
• The Importance of Land and the Environment
• Capitalism and the Deprivation of Native American Rights
• Conclusion

Zielsetzung und Themenschwerpunkte (Objectives and Key Themes)

This essay explores the ongoing struggle of Native Americans for their rights, focusing on key historical and contemporary issues. The main goal is to provide an overview of the challenges and successes faced by Native American communities in their fight for self-determination, human rights, cultural preservation, and environmental protection. Here are some key themes explored in the essay:

• The historical and contemporary struggle for Native American self-determination
• The importance of cultural preservation and the repatriation of ancestral remains and cultural objects
• The significance of land rights and the preservation of the environment
• The impact of American capitalism on Native American communities
• The ongoing fight against discrimination and injustice faced by Native American peoples

Zusammenfassung der Kapitel (Chapter Summaries)

• The essay begins by highlighting the historical and ongoing struggle of Native Americans for self-determination and human rights, emphasizing the importance of the American Indian Movement and the Trail of Broken Treaties. It also discusses the significance of the freedom of religion for Native Americans and the repatriation of cultural objects and human remains.
• The importance of land and the environment for Native American cultures is discussed, emphasizing their connection to the natural world and their efforts to protect it. The essay contrasts the Native American worldview with that of Anglo-Americans, highlighting the different approaches to land use and resource management.
• The essay explores the negative impact of American capitalism on Native American communities, highlighting the historical and contemporary attempts to deprive Native Americans of their land and resources. The essay also discusses the issue of ethnic fraud at institutions of higher education, where non-Native students claim Native American identity for personal gain.
• The essay concludes by acknowledging the limited successes in repatriation efforts but emphasizes that the struggle for Native American rights remains ongoing. The essay highlights the need for continued advocacy and the importance of addressing issues related to land restoration, environmental protection, and equitable access to resources.

Schlüsselwörter (Keywords)

This essay examines the persistent struggle of Native American communities for their rights, focusing on themes of self-determination, cultural preservation, land rights, environmental protection, and the impact of American capitalism. Key concepts discussed include the American Indian Movement, the Trail of Broken Treaties, repatriation of human remains, the Native American Graves Protection and Repatriation Act (NAGPRA), and ethnic fraud in higher education. The essay also highlights the connection between Native American cultures and their environment, contrasting their worldview with that of Anglo-Americans and emphasizing the need for sustainable resource management.

• College: University of Tubingen (Amerikanistik)
• Course: PS III Landeskunde – American Native Cultural Studies
• Grade: A-
• Author: B.A. Stephanie Wössner (Author)
• Publication Year: 2001
• Pages: 5
• Catalog Number: V138134
• ISBN (eBook): 9783640475643
• ISBN (Book): 9783640475582
• Language: English
• Tags: Native, Americans