Journal Entry of a Subordinate Group Member

Native Americans

June 15, 2008

Native Americans were the first to live in America. Looking back the first Native American arrived during the last ice-age around 20,000 – 30,000 years ago (Native Americans 2007). There were millions of us. We all had different tribes, but never did we look down on others because of their differences. We were all family. We had homes all over America. New York, Delaware, Kentucky, Virginia, Alabama, Michigan, and that are just a few. We even had tribes in Canada (Swanton 2007).

In the 16th and 17th century we met the Europeans (Native Americans 2007). We have never seen other humans with such a pale complexion. They dressed so differently and seemed to be wearing fake hair. They called them wigs. They were so up beat with their technology. They had steel knives and swords. We had nothing like that. They had big cannons, mirrors, hawk bells and earrings, copper and brass kettles. They even had really big ships. At first it seemed like a dream (Native Americans 2007).

Things were ok for awhile, but the Europeans were oblivious to the rhythms of nature and the natural spirit (Native Americans 2007). This became an obstacle and even got to the point they became our enemy. How could some one make us feel so out of place when we were here on this land first? It was so repelling that the Europeans culture was so materialistic. They did not care about the earth, the view of the land, the animals, or the plants. They seem so soulless and they only seemed to care for their tools and weapons.

The Europeans brought them to our land with only a desire to conquer the new continent for materials to become rich (Swanton 2007). They also brought with them diseases that hit us hard. Big conflicts developed between us and the Europeans. We called them the invaders. They invaded us with an uncountable number. They were accustomed to owning land. They considered us Indians to be nomads with no interest in owning land (Swanton 2007).

The conflict between us started the Indian wars and the Indian Removal act. In 1830 President Andrew Jackson empowered other acts instituted by the invaders to accomplish their goals (Native Americans 2007). In this war the Europeans had great advantage due to their number of men, nomadic life, and advanced weapons. We had a hard time defending ourselves against them. The wars went on for a long time. By 1890 at Wounded Knee Creek in South Dakota, our warriors, women, and children were slaughters by the U.S. cavalrymen. This would be considered the Army (Native Americans 2007). These are memories no one ever wants to remember, but how can you ever forget?

Today we do not have our freedom like we had. Our population was over 10 million approximately. Today we are lucky to have just over a million in America. There are over 550 federally recognized tribes in America. That includes our 223 village groups in Alaska (U.S. Census 2008). Being federally recognized means certain groups have a special legal relationship with the American government. It is just referred to as government to government relationship.

Today there is what we call reservations. They are reserved for us. There are two well known in America: military and Indian reservations (Swanton 2007).