The American Indian has a unique and diverse past that sets it apart from the histories of other native cultures. Having had to face both political, economic, and social hardships including discriminative policies as epitomized by the U.S. government’s twentieth-century Native American Policy, this people has remained routinely strong and impressively resilient. Interestingly, the US was greatly relied on by the Europeans for survival upon their arrival on the primary eastern US coast in the 1500s.
The American Indian has a vibrant history that has been passed down through generations of tribes. The Sioux, Cherokee, and Iroquois were among the first to settle in the Americas long before any white man had set foot on this land. For thousands of years, these tribes have built upon their traditions and left behind impressive ruins and artwork as evidence of their advanced knowledge and spirituality. Archaeologists continue to uncover amazing public works that speak to the legacy of the American Indians.
Native American-European Relations
Despite the unavoidable tribal clashes, Native Americans had a harmonious relationship with their beautiful home continent and a deep connection to nature. When the Europeans arrived, they initially clashed with the Native Americans of the eastern seaboard but soon began trading to ensure their survival. This led to decades of relative peace as the settlers established themselves on American land, though pressure quickly mounted from foreign leaders to move inland. Despite cash arrangements, barter deals, and treaties, the U.S. government’s policies towards Native Americans in the second half of the nineteenth century were heavily influenced by the desire to expand westward into territories occupied by these tribes.
Native American Policy
The Sioux, Crows, and Blackfeet were well-known for their dominance of the Northern Plains. Despite the hardships endured by these Native American groups, due to the influx of European immigrants into northeastern U.S. cities, they remained resilient and continued to thrive. From the Gadsden purchase, which granted the U.S. control over Oregon, Texas, and California, as well as southern New Mexico and Arizona, to the discovery of gold in 1849, the nineteenth century was a period of vast U.S. expansion and opportunity. Through the government’s assistance, settlers ventured westward, establishing homes in these areas already occupied by Native American tribes. The relationship between the federal government and Native American tribes was continually regulated and adapted over two centuries, forming the basis of the modern Native American Policy.
Creation of The Bureau of Indian Affairs
In 1824, Congress created the Bureau of Indian Affairs within the War Department to administrate the U.S. government’s Native American policies and collaborate with the U.S. Army to enforce them. While the federal government sometimes recognized the Indians as distinct political communities, it also attempted to force them to give up their culture, land and assimilate into the American culture. To reduce settler anxieties, the U.S. government held a conference in 1851 with several local Indian tribes and established the Treaty of Fort Laramie. This treaty acknowledged the bounded territories of each Native American tribe, allowed for the construction of tracks and forts, and promised not to assault settlers; in return, the federal government guaranteed to honor the boundaries of each tribe’s territory and make payments to the Indians. The Cheyenne, Sioux, Crow, Arapaho, Assiniboine, Mandan, Gros Ventre, and Arikara tribes, who signed the treaty, even agreed to end the hostilities between their tribes to accept the conditions of the treaty. Through this agreement, the U.S. government and Native American tribes took a monumental step toward strengthening relations and cooperation between the two parties.
Celebrating Navajo Jewelry Worldwide
Despite the issues with the treaties, Navajo jewelry has become celebrated worldwide by American Indian art collectors. This jewelry is the result of the Native Americans’ cultural practices and is a symbol of resilience and pride in the face of adversity. Its intricate designs and unique craftsmanship demonstrate the beauty of the native culture, inspiring admiration for these timeless works of art.
Government Initiatives to Assimilate Native Americans
Despite the U.S. government’s attempts to assimilate Native Americans, many tribes were determined to protect and uphold their traditional culture and spiritual practices. In response, the government passed laws that barred certain customs, while agents on reservations enforced regulations that sought to prohibit Native American cultural and religious activities. Additionally, Indian training centers were established to hasten the assimilation process, aiming to “kill the Indian and save the man” by forcing pupils to speak English, wear conventional American fashion, and change their Indian names. These initiatives ultimately resulted in Native Americans relinquishing their tribal identity and becoming citizens under the full control of the U.S. government.
The goal of the General Allotment Act of 1887:
The General Allotment Act of 1887, also known as the Dawes Act, was a major component of the United States government’s assimilation program. This Act forced Native American tribes to break up and divide their collective land into individual plots of 80-160 acres for families, and 40-80 acres for unmarried adults. By providing this allotment, the Government hoped to encourage Native Americans to become educated farmers, while also enabling western settlers to purchase the residual land.
Celebrating Native American Culture Through Clothing
Despite the devastating consequences of the Dawes Act, Native Americans have persevered and are proud to showcase their culture through clothing. Visitors to Senoia, GA can find beautiful Native American Indian Clothing that appropriately honors their history and traditions.
The legacy of Native Americans, which had already established impressive ruins and artwork centuries before the Europeans ever arrived, continues to impact current politics and views of American Indians. Though their relationship with the settlers was plagued by clashing visions and policies, Native Americans remained resilient and connected to their land. Just as their resources were sought after for foreign settlement, they were also recognized and used for the growth of a nation. The tribes on the Great Plains provided the basis for much of modern native policy and it is hoped that this legacy lives on and their rights are respected in modern-day America.
