Tony's Blog Response: Native Americans in the 21st Century

Tony’s presentation is about the Native Americans and how they survive in the 21st century. It is said in the YouTube video on the third slide that most Native Americans live in poverty on the reservations that are given to them because of the promises from the government. In order to make money in the reservation, they have a casino, which brings in some income to the reservation but the money coming in fluctuates because the population is so small. The amount of Native Americans in poverty is the highest of all the ethnic groups. One thing that I found saddening was the fact that many people live in such a remote area, that there is no electricity and many people have no choice but to pick between buying milk to feed the children or buying toothpaste to keep up hygiene. In his fourth slide, I thought of how many people do think of the Native Americans and where they should stand in society, but I also feel like people say more than they do. I have only heard of one organization that helps our native people. I find it very interesting how, even though the Natives were on this land first, Americans have the right to kick them out. They are called Native Americans for a reason: they are native to the country, meaning they’ve been here before anyone else settled in, and they are Americans. If they are Americans, they have a right to property that is given to other Americans. The Native Americans, as seen in the YouTube video, have increased into a downward spiral in alcohol and suicide. They are convinced that the USA is trying to keep then in poverty forever. I understand how they could think that but they are also trying to live independently away from the American way of life. I don’t think it is all necessarily the American’s fault. Also, Tony pointed out that many Native Americans feel stereotyped as people who believe in spirits and are extremists in being one with nature. This is not true for most. This stereotype is portrayed in the movie Pocahontas and the song, Colors of the Wind. Another example of how Americans offended the Natives was the Illiniwek. In all, Native Americans and the Americans have decreasing trust in each other and in order to stay united, things have to change in regards to the stereotypes and discrimination of other ethnicities. I found Tony's presentation to be very informative and easy to follow. I really liked the pictures and videos he used, it helped me understand how the Native Americans are feeling in regards to this issue between them and the Americans.