Chief Illiniwek

[freshnesschronic]

Originally Posted by bluecuracao

Retaining your culture isn't being a victim. Not all reservations "suck," not even most of them. Not all tribal-owned lands are even called "reservations." It's too bad that your friend decided to leave his tribe for good, but that's his choice, I guess. Maybe he'll have a change of heart one day and go back to be a part of the community, revive/continue traditions, bring his skills/trade in, etc.

Now, this perception of yours that "the Indians got their ass kicked" is exactly the kind of stereotype that is perpetuated by the John Wayne Indian mascots. Yes, there were tribes that were decimated or uprooted. But there are still a lot of us, and cultural traditions are still going strong in native communities from North to South America.

Agreed. It sounded like Bruce was saying that they should just assimulate just because everyone else does. It is not a bad thing at all if some Native Americans want to whole heartedly maintain their culture that was practiced for generations before the settlers. By just saying "yeah, whatever they got their assked kicked" then it shows total intolerance and ignorance to their culture.

Everyone has a right to maintain their way of life as it seems fit. We shouldn't judge them if they want to be traditional and unincorporated into US lifestyle.

The Yanomami is a first-contact Native American tribe in the Amazon that refuses to live like normal Brazilians. We shouldn't make them assimulate just because we tell them to.

[bluecuracao]

Originally Posted by freshnesschronic

We shouldn't judge them if they want to be traditional and unincorporated into US lifestyle.

I think it's safe to say, though, that most Native Americans in the U.S. who maintain traditional cultures also incorporate the "U.S. lifestyle." Those who don't would have to make a concerted effort not to.

[xoxoxoBruce]

Originally Posted by bluecuracao

I think it's safe to say, though, that most Native Americans in the U.S. who maintain traditional cultures also incorporate the "U.S. lifestyle." Those who don't would have to make a concerted effort not to.

Absolutely, if they have any brains they pick and choose what they want from other people lifestyles. Take what appeals to them and reject things that don't, so that their lifestyle evolves in a manner they are comfortable with.

If I moved to Japan I'm sure I would adopt much of their lifestyle. But I'm not eating raw fish.

[xoxoxoBruce]

Originally Posted by freshnesschronic

Agreed. It sounded like Bruce was saying that they should just assimilate just because everyone else does. It is not a bad thing at all if some Native Americans want to whole heartedly maintain their culture that was practiced for generations before the settlers. By just saying "yeah, whatever they got their assked kicked" then it shows total intolerance and ignorance to their culture.

Can you point to where that "quotation" came from? It wasn't me. Define culture, what do you think is incorporated in "their culture".

Everyone has a right to maintain their way of life as it seems fit. We shouldn't judge them if they want to be traditional and unincorporated into US lifestyle.

Fine, they can live any way they want. But if they piss and moan that the feds should support them because they can't hunt and gather anymore, that doesn't cut it. They don't have to live in a split level rancher and have two SUVs in the driveway. They can live in a tipi, wigwam, wickiup, hogan, double wide or palace, that's their business. They don't have to give up their way of worshiping or their crafts and traditions. But they DO have to find a way to support and feed their families. I would assume most of them do that. Usually that means working for a living outside, but what ever works for them. I'd hardly call the assimilating.

The Yanomami is a first-contact Native American tribe in the Amazon that refuses to live like normal Brazilians. We shouldn't make them assimulate just because we tell them to.

Who said they did? As long as they have the means to continue their lifestyle, why can't they? The rub comes when they start killing off their neighbors to maintain that lifestyle. If that happens, you can be sure they will get their ass kicked in short order, because the government can't tolerate that. It's eventually going to come down to who owns the land and I'm pretty sure the government thinks they do.