Native Americans and Immigration?

Question

The fact is, we are all immigrants, unless we are native's.

What is your opinions of Native's who think that they are 'owed' something because hundreds of years ago, settlers came and 'stole' their land? Are they still entitled to an apoligy in the form of goods, land, money and care just because their ancestors might have been mistreated?

Answer 1

It's not so much just their ancestors being mistreated. That was heinous, unforgivable and utterly against everything America stands for. But it's beside the point. And I'm not going to even get into "might have been".

At rough count, the US government is currently in breach of about 75% of the existing ongoing treaties with Native American nations. So, yes, I think the government should be liable for breach of contract for those ongoing violations.

Answer 2

I just don't know what to say! For one thing, I'm not too sure of the intent of your question, due to the use of such words as 'owed, stole, apology, and mistreated.' None of these terms touch the true heart of the matter!

In Canada we have similar issues, but the context seems to differ. I believe with acknowledgement and respect we will eventually come to terms with the fact that 100's of years have passed and we cannot turn back time to make a wrong right again! We still have a lot of room to make compensations and we must keep working to resolve these issues and put them in the past!

All of the previous answers have a valid point, but yet they don't sit well with me because the issues at hand cannot be brushed aside, nor can they be resolved to the satisfaction of millions of people! What can we do?? It is a conundrum of which none of us can answer.

We can start by acknowledging the 'true' past and giving respect to a race/culture (that was almost eradicated), whether it be on a reserve or otherwise, by allowing the Aboriginal people of North America to be proud and strong, knowing that no matter what happens, they are the only ones who can honestly say that they are the true people of this great land! This is one wrong that can easily be corrected!

Native people have a belief system that is based on the connection of ALL things in the Universe! This would transcend time, borders, races, religions, governments, etc. Therefore, the logical conclusion from all points of view, should be one that entails the co-existence of all people. We should strive for that!
Arguing and name-calling will not achieve this, nor will denial.

Answer 3

The Injuns Do Just Fine

The Injuns And The White Men
Had A Rough Start Together
But We Smoked The Peace Pipe Generations Ago,
And We've Tried Our Best To Honor The Treaties

Some Still Live On Reservations Because They CHOOSE To Live The Traditonal Way Of Their People
Many Choose Not To And Live In Society Instead
Going To School And Holding Jobs
Owning Homes Etc. - Hey Ruby ;-)

They Live Their Ways In Harmony With Us
And They Get To Scalp Us White Devils
In Their Casinos Every Night

Renegade, Am I Right??
If Not, Straighten Me Out Bro





I Gotta Pass The Pipe To princess_29_71
Thanks For Reminding Me
They are entitled to more than just an apology.

They Are Entitled To Our Respect And Gratitude
For Allowing Us To Build Our Nation Within Their Nation
And For Sharing It With Us As One Nation




My Personal Opinion Of The NAs
Their Traditions And Culture Are More Colorful
And Richer Than Mexicos ALL DAY LONG

Their History Is Filled With Brave Fighters
And Strong Beliefs
And A Harmony With Nature Beyond Compare

And Injun Squaws Are WAY HoTTer Than ANY Latina

Answer 4

That sounds just like a statement from some wannabes other's make.
No we are not all immigrants-someone said that right-I believe some wish it but it is not true.

We and The Indians are Americans. I hope that doesn't make some turn green with envy. We love the American Indian. And we owe them a lot. We have combined together to make this a great nation. Isn't that wonderful. And many of us have Indian blood.
There are no old debts that time is gone. Are faces are on the front of us so we look ahead not behind.

You are correct there. There is no past debt.

Good question put a little harsh-one of the few good questions posted lately. But your point is well taken-the past is the past.

Answer 5

That issue was resolved many years ago, it has nothing to do with illegal immigration. You might say the United States is sort of paying 'rent' to the Native Americans for the use of their land. It is an agreement between the U.S. government and the Native American. Not an issue of concern for anyone else. Native Americans can live anywhere, they are not restricted to reservations, it is their choice. Many Native Americans are 100% but cannot trace their lineage back to the Dawes rolls to be 'certified', which is needed in order to live on the rez. Many Native Americans were not recorded on those rolls.

My family has never lived on the rez. and has never had to get federal assistance. We live the same as any other American citizen. We work hard, earn a liveable wage, get our educations, buy our land and homes, raise our families, involve ourselves in community and civic affairs, vote, live and die American citizens. We do not dwell in the past. It is just that "the past". We live in the here and now, 2006, the 21st century.

diehard - Down↓ there: No one said 'forget' the past. We just don't dwell on it or let it interfere with our 'today, now, this moment in time'. Nothing will bring back our ancestors who were killed. We also killed some white folks, too. Nothing will bring them back. It's history, why worry about it now. It isn't an issue now, certainly not an issue concerning illegal immigration.

Answer 6

I am Native American and I don't feel that I am owed anything. Those who were owed were my ancestors who lost their immediate family members during the Trail of Tears. As for the rest of us, you can't change the past, only learn from it. There is no point in wallowing in self pity.
The same goes for every other minority group in this country who whines about the past. Get over it. We can't change that which has already happened. We cannot punish the people whose families wronged our ancestors nor can we accept restitution that belongs to our ancestors.

Answer 7

i'm an enrolled tribal member here in Cali. Raised in a city off rez. My user-friendly opinion. No mexicans, No salad for the congressmans spouse. it relatively is that straightforward. They do the jobs different persons do no longer desire. whilst is the final time you seen a blond blue eyed white pushing a mop? working a field? Doing ANY of the jobs the mexicans do? As for immigration itself. . . WHAT do we do approximately it NOW? specific area of me says "get returned on the BOAT!!" yet i'm kinda linked to my microwave popcorn. i comprehend it relatively is on no account gonna happen, and if it did what proportion persons definitely ought to bypass returned to searching with out rifles. See to me, it is Indian. it is custom no longer some damn card a white guy exceeded out. So except whitey is prepared to bypass returned residing house himself, i advise he purely take a seat and experience his salad.

Answer 8

JD, sweetie is sitting right here and he said "you got it".

I think that true Native Americans are owed a debt that can never be re-payed. They are entitled to more than just an apology.

Pancha doesn't know anything about Native Americans, except how to bash them when she knows nothing at all about them. They will always be owed. But she, being a Mexican and criminal advocate, knows nothing about that either.

Answer 9

We are living on the native lands, and yes we do owe them politically at the least. We should have a Native American president today, not a long lineage of white men. It is sad to see that some people do not realize that the population of Indians is nearly extinct because of land and racist issues. I strongly encourage you to do some research on this issue, and it is very important to understand the history profoundly.

Answer 10

i agree with you fully.All these people calling themselves Americans is a Joke.They think just because there great grand parents came here illegally and stole the land it makes them a American.Wake up people you are not.