Balancing Present with Past: Contemporary Native American Life as Studies through the Phoenix Indian Center
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Authors
Nagler, Sandy
Issue Date
1994
Type
Thesis
Language
en_US
Keywords
Alternative Title
Abstract
Contemporary Native American Life: it is often hard to identify, much less define. Something about Native America evokes thoughts of simplicity,
nature, strong cultural ties, and if nothing else, tradition. While these
elements are integral parts of Native American culture, they too often beget
sweeping generalizations, oversimplifications, and stereotypes that plague the
societal view of American Indians today. The complexities and struggles
facing today's Native American tribes are overwhelming, and understandably
so; history stores a quagmire of separation, isolation, and bigotry which, in
turn, has created a downward spiral pattern of poverty, substance abuse, and
depression among the first people of this nation. Yet an unequivocal strength
remains in the Native American cultures; despite the societal ills, the
remnants of bad blood, wars, and prejudice, things essentially more solid
stand. There remain the art, the music, the craftsmanship, the oral literature
and tradition, and perhaps most global, the belief in a larger harmony: more
expansive than man to man, rather man to nature, incorporating areal
"world view." In these political times of ethnic recognition, and breaking of
barriers, open minds, animal rights, and preserving and recycling of the
environment, the Native cultures of North America stand how they always
have: with basic beliefs of respecting, preserving, and nurturing the world
around them, and living as one with all that occupy space on earth.
Although few characteristic generalizations may be made from tribe to tribe,
this idea is perhaps the one that does most justice to the sense of tradition in
all Native American cultures.
It is not the purpose here to elevate these people to the status of gods;
they are not any worse or better than any other race of people, and they do not
pretend to be. They were not the first nor the last to endure atrocities because
of their color or creed or way of life. And certainly, they have and do make
mistakes, commit crimes, and fall prey to evil ways just as all others do. Still,
the fact remains that they were robbed of their land, and more importantly,
they were robbed of their pride in the way they cared for their earth; they have
been repeatedly disrespected as a people ever since. The lack of recognition of
the rights of Native Americans and their vast knowledge is a disaster in itself,
exemplified by the fact that they have known for centuries what the larger
American society is only now discovering as it regrets its pollution, mourns
its destroyal of land, and runs from its chemically-caused disease.
Description
iv, 99 p.
Citation
Publisher
Kalamazoo, Mich. : Kalamazoo College.
License
U.S. copyright laws protect this material. Commercial use or distribution of this material is not permitted without prior written permission of the copyright holder. All rights reserved.