Contemporary Native American Life

Angela Chavez
Diversity and U.S. Politics POLS 2700
Professor Gold
4 December 2014

Angela Chavez
Diversity and U.S. Politics
4 December 2014
With their history of violence and death, a person could easily believe that Native
Americans would have died out by now. But on the contrary, Native Americans are still fighting
to keep not only themselves, but their heritage alive. Actually, according to the U.S. Census
Bureau in 2013, there were roughly 5.2 million American Indians and Alaska Natives living in
the U.S., representing around 2% of the population [1]. For some Native Americans, they have
found some type of success. Most, unfortunately, live in poverty. The alcoholism rate among
Native Americans is generally high. Many do not have health insurance and life on reservations
is not always adequate. In short, the government controls Native American tribes. It decides
where they will live, how resources will be allocated and evens control economic growth. So
what is contemporary life for Native Americans really like?
Back in 1831, Chief Justice established the federal trust doctrine, which assigned the
government as the trustee of Indian affairs [2]. Though the trusteeship continues today, it had not
done much could for Native Americans. Indian lands are owned and managed by the
government. And yet, reservations are part of some of the poorest communities in the United
States. Because Indians do not own their land or homes no these reservations, it is incredibly
difficult to them to start their own business. Nearly every aspect of economic development is
controlled by federal agencies [3]. All development projects on Indian land must be reviewed
and authorized by the government through a process that is both tedious and long. This process
prevents Native Americans from capitalizing on their own natural resources. This makes

development and growth difficult on Indian lands.

Indian affairs are still mentioned in news outlets. The most recent and famous story to hit
the headlines was on October 24th, 2014 when a young Tulalip boy that decided to shoot five of
his friends and himself [4]. As to why the young man decided to do this is unclear. Nevertheless,
member of the Tulalip community are attempting to rebuild. Not only has the community rallied
together to show lover and support to the victims and their families, but also for the shooter and
his family. The community announced that they would be praying for each of their souls,
including the shooters. Though this community took a huge hit, they have managed to keep
themselves together and attempt to move forward.
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Native Americans attempt to lead normal lives, even though most of their life is dictated

by word of the government. There is a percentage of Native Americans that have chosen to
completely assimilated in white society and leave behind their heritage. Others are still
attempting to keep their culture alive. Life is difficult on reservations with not being able to grow
as a people and climb the economic ladder. Native Americans continue to suffer today, living in
harsh poverty and not being able to do one thing about it. And while some have managed to find
decent jobs and slowly are moving out, others are at home, waiting for the same old routine.
Native Americans still have to deal with teen pregnancy, death due to cancer, AIDS, even
murder. All the while, the people from affected communities prayed for every person involved,
including the offender. The Native American capacity to not only love, but to forgive is even
more immense than before.
Overall, Native Americans live pretty simple lives. Although forced to be on reservation,
Native Americans experience most of the same things regular Americans do. The only

difference, though, is that the American people is not controlled by the federal government
they do not have as much control over the people, as they do with the Native Americans. Living
under a government rule that does not allow room for economic growth, Native Americans have
found ways to keep their culture alive, by seeing art, jewelry, and even clothes that depicts their
heritage [5]. While these clothes may not seem like much to average Americans, it means the
world to a certain tribe. What does the future have in store for Native Americans? Hopefully
more freedom.
That is why this issue is important to Diversity and U.S. Politics. A country that claims to
be the land for the free still have dominant control over a group of people. And with that control,
they have not done anything that benefits the Native Americans. While alcoholism rises, while
more and more young girls get pregnant, while people are dying within these tribes, the federal
government has turned away. Native Americans deserve their freedom, to truly be able to choose
where he/she wishes to live, to make and afford decisions for him/herself, and to allow the
opportunity to grow and prosper as a people a part of this nation. A country as diverse as the
United States needs to reevaluate their own decisions and figure out how the help out the Native
Americans. All the United States has done since they first met centuries ago is take and continue
to take. And all the Native Americans have done is give and give, without expecting anything in
return. If the United States really did believe in freedom, why does it continue to oppress? When
will Native Americans finally be able to be free?

Bibliography
[1] "American Indian and Alaskan Native Populations." Centers for Disease Control and
Prevention. Centers for Disease Control and Prevention, 20 Nov. 2014. Web. 25 Nov. 2014.
<http://www.cdc.gov/minorityhealth/populations/REMP/aian.html>.
[2] "BIA Website." Indian Affairs. U.S. Department of Interior. Web. 4 Dec. 2014.
<http://www.bia.gov/FAQs/>.
[3] "5 Ways The Government Keeps Native Americans In Poverty." Forbes. Forbes Magazine,
13 Mar. 2013. Web. 4 Nov. 2014. <http://www.forbes.com/sites/realspin/2014/03/13/5-waysthe-government-keeps-native-americans-in-poverty/2/>.
[4] Walker, Richard. "Tulalip, Marysville, Still Grasping at Answers for Shooting." Indian
Country Today Media Network.com. 27 Oct. 2014. Web. 4 Nov. 2014.
<http://indiancountrytodaymedianetwork.com/2014/10/27/tulalip-community-grieves-aftershooting-tormented-questions-about-happy-guy-157534>.
[5] "American Indians Today." American Indians Today. Web. 4 Nov. 2014.
<http://www.american-indians.net/today.htm>.