Historical Contact and Conflict

The conliflict between American Indian and the white man appears to be one instigated entierly by the white man. It amuses me how the Thanksgiving feast shows the white American's dependance on the American Indian, and in the years to come, he turns around and pushes his keeper into less fertile lands and wages war with him. United States propoganda tells us that the American Indian was a savage pagan and that he could not be assymilated into European culture. It sadens me that so much was lost over ignorance. It seems to be the everpresent story of the white man. Dangerous, afraid, and armed to the teeth with weaponry and technology.

I read this historical account and it blows my mind how many non violent attempts there were by the native peoples to coexist despite cultural differences. It is shameful.

Land and Identity

I feel that I have a deep understanding of the ideas described in this analysis of the American Indian's connection to the land. The culture that once dominated this continent was one with the land. European culture has traditionally taken from the land and built on top of it. I hold a deep reverence for the American Indian's respect for the Earth and their beliefs toward moderation and hunting. They understand that although man and animal deserve life, man must eat animal to survive. And thus it must be. This way of thinking develops a personal connection with the other inhabitants of the land. Because the American Indian did not build cities. They lived among the land with the other animals. The fact that they used natural landmarks as territorial boundaries also affirms their relation to the land.

The spirituality of this culture interests me in that it is so different from eastern religion, and that the many widespread tribes each have their own variations in belief.

Expansion and Removal

Thomas Jefferson; William Henry Harrison; Andrew Jackson... these names tend to recall the dusty sense of freedom and prosparity that was promised in the Declaration of Independance. But being exposed to the truth about what transpired in this country during the 1800's changes one's perspective. Prior to the start of this spring semester I had little knowledge regaurding the disapearance of the American Indian. I knew white colonists were responsible. I knew they had lied, murderded, and stolen the land from its former caretakers. Reading this text has given me a strong sense of the loss these peoples suffered.

Although this chapter describes the persecution of the American Indian, I am interested in learning more about the vast array of cultures that these people lived by.