Misrepresent Native Americans

In today’s society, the Native American culture is found only in reservations and is not well known. Portrayed as

So many people today have failed to understand the Native Americans in context of history, which includes conquest of land, forced relocation, and organized efforts to eradicate native cultures. There shouldn’t be any stereotypes toward Native Americans, they shouldn’t be labeled as “blood thirsty savages” for simply defending their own land from intruders. Whether they are portrayed as noble savages, environmentalists, drunken, living of the government, Indian princess/squaw, casino-rich, they find an effort to be treated with a measure of respect and integrity, and that is something that I’ve learned. They may have shown people how to throw knives and axes, ride horses, pass down stories to younger generations, but in today’s society the history of the Native Americans have taught us so much more than that, and to me, that is what’s important about

“Native Americans have faced centuries of atrocities to their people, their land, and their culture - all under various presidents who took an oath of office to preserve, protect, and defend the Constitution of the United States” (Markwayne Mullin). Native Americans have been living a hard life ever since Columbus arrived in North America but, we need to change that. Native American have been living here before any of us, and we’re just living in their land. Native Americans have struggled since white people first arrived in North America. Some contemporary issues Native Americans face are their ability to prosecute crimes such as rapes against their community, as well as land rights, and the ability to be recognized by the government. It is important that we, as a country, address these issues.

Native American people have a unique struggle in society. This stems from cultural epidemics like drug addiction, alcoholism, obesity, and rampant suicide, but also systemic racism and a sort of cultural lag. This is not meant to be a critique of culture, simply an observation of the condition of the families I have helped serve over the course of this internship. To be “Native” has become a slew of stereotypical representations. Stereotypes do not represent reality, but they do affect how individuals view themselves, and limit their ability to become anything but what they are expected to be. This is called the self-fulfilling prophecy. If Native American children grow up in a closed network, such as a reservation or a boundary, they are presented

Represented as a minority in America, Native Americans are underrepresented in many ways in media. Like any other ethnic group, they are stereotyped, and portrayed in a certain way that makes them look a way. Historically marginalized so that many aren’t aware of the pressure that they are putting on the underrepresented in America. Statistically shown, Native Americans respectively have proven that compared to other American groups, they feel relatively invisible. One of the great ironies in life is how America is so proud to become a melting pot to those who are willing to be a part of the contribution to American life. Does this even include the various groups that represents American society?

As a young adult living in Oklahoma, I had never given a lot of thought as to the portrayal of the Native American. Although, it never occurred to me that my perception of life might be different from those growing up and living with the everyday realities reservation life offered. Simply put, I was overjoyed to be amongst those who lived on the reservation and in hindsight, I realize that I was naïve as to the treatment of those I call my people. Growing up, I was always aware of my Native heritage, but truthfully that is where it ended. My grandmother a full blood Cherokee woman was content to live the life to which she had become accustom to in the white man’s world. Therefore, as children, stories of my grandmother’s childhood were never bestowed upon my brothers, sister, and I. Ultimately, leaving us to our own imaginations and with that I created the image I had readily embraced, the image of the beautiful Indian maiden.

I learned how troubled many reservations are and how much they suffer. I found this to be extremely sad and disheartening as I heard one of the riders make this statement, “There is something that we suffer from”. Reservations suffer from poor income, drug issues, alcohol issues, and many broken families. One of the riders explained their situation like this, “A deep imbedded genetic depression. See, our people at one time, the Dakota people, or all Native Americans, had a very strong connection with the Creator.

Many Native Americans thought that the Spaniards, where a kind of enemies. That is why they were always in a fight with them the, Native Americans thought that the Spaniards were willing to overpower them, therfore Native Americans will kill the Spaniards before they have a chance to kill Native Americans first. But, there were times were Native Americans would process the situation and rather not kill them but, help them. Was it a mistake? Maybe, but they were human enough to understand that the Spaniards may have a family waiting for them somewhere and their children would be there to welcome them home. Rather than Native Americans to kill the Spaniards in that moment, they will spare their life’s and protect them in any kind of way the

The stereotyping and portrayals of Native Americans have carried over into the current age of American society. With the mascotting of Native Americans and their representation or underrepresentation in today’s television and news outlets, current reservation conditions are ignored or denied. This is best seen within the case of Pine Ridge Reservation, as they are the second largest reservation within the United States and the poorest of them all. The video, which currently has under 400 views, Oglala Sioux of Pine Ridge Reservation, outlines the tragic conditions these Natives face as they continue to live on the reservation. They state that in order to arouse the

Representatives from all different tribes were present and they danced and sang together in harmony. The traditional dress wear of the each tribe was beautiful and they introduced the tribes that were present. I loved the sense of togetherness the participants had. Also, the experience broke a stereotype for me. I was under the impression that all Native Americans were tan and had black hair. I guess I related it to the movie Pocahontas and some western movies I’ve seen. This certainly was not the case. It goes to show you really can’t judge someone with how they look or guess their culture with how they look. This changed my way of thinking. I do anticipate to learn more about the Native American culture and learn not to assume culture based on appearance. I generally do not mean to, but I belive that everyone has unconscious thoughts and assumptions when they see someone different than themselves. With the more knowledge I gain as a counselor and though my classes I want to tackle my unconscious thoughts and assumptions. Through this class I have definitely become more aware of what I have been told in relation to people different than

The Native American tribes of today, are nothing compared to their ancestors. The treatment, hostility, and silver tongues of the past damage can never be fixed no matter how many words, medals, promises, and gifts you give them. The late Native American culture and its tribes have been unfairly mistreated and misrepresented with lies from propaganda, breach of treaties, and harsh antagonization from American business owners and regular people alike. These actions have put a horrendous reputation on the local native tribes, from past to present, that some Americans may never understand.

In the documentary Reel Injun the portrayal of Native Americans in the west, concentrating on the idea of uncivilized savages. In Ceremony the narrator Tayo is able to understand how the U.S. Army uniform is able to provide Native Americans a means to avoid the racism contained in American society. Media's portrayal of Native Americans in redface has supported the idea of colonialism throughout time. Subsequently, Tayo is able to observe the effects this idea of colonialism has on his observations of whites and Native Americans. Furthermore, media has kept the idea of white power and its views on Native Americans. The internalize subtle racism is depicted in the novel by the way whites treat Native Americans intelligence on what is good and

The United States government has always been quick to dismiss minorities. Many movements are happening today to gain the rights they never had, such as Black Lives Matter, feminism, LGBTQIA+ rights, and more. Yet, one of the most oppressed groups has silence in the media - Native Americans. Their struggles are rarely addressed and remain relatively unknown. Their cultures are continuously appropriated by fashion companies and slandered by the film industry. Since the beginning of the United States’ interaction with Native American people, they have been treated with complete disrespect; even now their basic rights are compromised as they are continually treated dishonorably.

Native Americans hindering U.S effort to deport immigrants guilty of a crime in their own country. By allowing them to cross the board will have more people in the country committing more and more crime.

On November 14, 2016, I attended a Native Voice short performance “Taking Back The Land.” The while plat was performed at Black Box Theater. This was the 6th annual performance and the first time having a short performance at San City college. The shows mainly focus on important things in life, like Native American’s land, water and earth. I found out that Native American are very spiritual with “mother earth.” It is very interesting how Native American are still fight for their rights and that is what we are doing now as well.