Native American Stereotype - Does this suprise you?

Question

So, I've been thinking of a way to use this Q&A to break stereotypes because I read SO many of them on here.
I am thinking that everyday I will post a new stereotype and see how many people are suprised to read that it is not true.
Here's the second one:

Stereotype: Native men had several wives. Women were homemakers and subservient.

Truth: Native women had power in the tribes. They were equal to men and held complimentary roles to them.

I cannot speak for all Native people, I can only tell you the history I have learned.

A little history:
Many (possibly most) native tribes were matriarchies. This means that women had power in the tribe. A lot of tribes were led by clan mothers (vs. chiefs). The role of the husband would be to leave his clan and go live with the women in her clan or tribe and be part of her family.

Even in tribes that weren't matriarchies women had equal roles to mens. They were not thought of as less than or subservient. It is true that women and men often have different roles but they are complimentary and not unequal. If a women is a wife and mother that is complimentary to a man being a worker. It is an honor for a women to be asked to cook for her people, cooking is an important role and one must be respected to be asked to do this. Everyone knew this, even the men. And the women had a decision in this, they never had to do anything. If they really wanted they could take on duties that may be normally filled by a man. It is also true that women were respected as the carriers of culture. This is because they teach the habits, manners, and values, the things that make up ones culture. They are also respected as burden carriers, they carry the problems of the family and do their best to work to solve them.

Also, for the most part it is a myth that Native men had several wifes. This could be true but by wives it wasn't people he would go to bed with. Often if a man took a second wife it would be someone like his wife's sister who was widowed. He would take her as a wife to help support her. He wouldn't sleep with both. The first wife would Always have a say and if she didn't want it to happen she could stop it or leave.
Native people lived in true equality! Other things you have heard are myths created by the colonizers to depict a false image of Native people.

If you have further questions about this please ask and I will post answers in additional comments.

Thanx for all the positive replies. They are greatly appreciated. I was going to put to a vote because I appreciate them all equally but I don't want one of the racists to win so I will just choose a best answer. But really thank you all.

Answer 1

Hi Natasha, I've enjoyed some of your answers I've seen here and there. This is a good idea. : ) Y!A could be a good easy to find archive of this kind of info.

Answer 2

Good question and answer. You hit the nail right on the head about many of the tribes being a matriarchal society. I know this for a fact because I know the history of my people well. Of course, there are men that will say the women had the power that they did because they let them. Either way, that's the way it was, and still is in some instances.

Answer 3

thats good that you are doing this. people who stereotype other ethnicities aree just plain ignorant. i personally believe that native americans are truley interesting people. one of my friends is native american and he is one amazing person in the world.

Answer 4

I have met couple natives in milwaukee. pretty interesting people.

Answer 5

omg i am sorry i want to answer but its too long to read