I know they are a small group (less than 1% of U.S.) but you rarely hear about them at all unless 1) a sports team with an Indian moniker makes the playoffs and they protest the name of the team or 2) some good ole boy wants to build a resort or dig for oil on what they consider sacred ground.
2007-03-22 03:53:58 · 10 answers · asked by trendsetter 3 in Social Science ➔ Other - Social Science
Sometimes I can't recognize natives right off the bat, because there are so many of us that wear designer clothes, instead of buffalo skins and feathers, have varied hairstyles and hair colors instead of long straight hair, and alot of us don't live on reservations. I don't tell people right off the bat that I am a Lakota (except on YAnswers), because it's not necessary.
You probably see us allot, but mistaken us for white or latino.
2007-03-23 02:05:14 · answer #1 · answered by Anonymous · 1⤊ 0⤋
I am a Native woman.
There are a couple responses I could give you. All of them have to do with oppression.
1st Native people often do not fit the media stereotype. I am sure their are many Natives in your community and you just do not know it because they don't "look Indian". In fact, Native people have always came in all shapes, sizes, and colors.
2nd The government prefers for Native people to be the "invincible race". The government wants to avoid, at all costs, having to deal with Native people. This is because the government would have to face all their wrong doings and deal with some very complicated issues. The less that Natives are brought into public light, the better. Well, for the government anyway.
3rd Many people believe that Natives are going extinct. Native populations are actually on the rise. For this reason many do not think to include Native people or Native culture in their presentations, in the media, etc...
There are ways to get to know your local Native community. Once you know them you will probably see them more often in everyday life. You may also start to notice how active Natives are in local politics, law, and activism.
You can visit a local pow-wow. You can visit a local urban Native American community center. You can visit a local college/universitie's Native student organization.
It really is a combination of factors. As a Native woman I see Natives all the time in everyday life. And, no I do not live on a reservation.
2007-03-22 13:01:56 · answer #2 · answered by RedPower Woman 6 · 1⤊ 0⤋
Your question is very broad and begs correction.
In New Mexico, where I live, my family and I interact with Native Americans on a daily basis.
Native Americans are our friends, the people we buy our firewood from, the butcher at the grocery store and the lady who crochets beautiful rugs.
Maybe you need to travel a bit.
In the Western US, there are many Natives.
Good luck
2007-03-25 18:01:58 · answer #3 · answered by Croa 6 · 0⤊ 0⤋
Maybe because many that live apart from their culture, might not be what people expect so you just might not realize "what" they are.
I once knew a guy a little bit from a class, tan skinned with short cut black hair. Didn't know what his background was, though I didn't think too much of it, plus it would have been rather nosy and rude to ask. Later overheard he was full Cherokee. I had no idea, he was just a guy to me, his complexion and hair color could have been from any of a variety of backgrounds world over.
2007-03-22 10:44:47 · answer #4 · answered by Indigo 7 · 1⤊ 0⤋
They were the natives and now they are the others. The Government has not done enough to integrate them in the modern society. This will one day create dis contentment and cause the society harm. Try to see that you are in their land and not the reverse.
2007-03-26 03:07:12 · answer #5 · answered by joy bharat s 2 · 0⤊ 0⤋
One stereotype is that each and every physique close by individuals have a difficulty with alcohol which finally ends up in violence. i'm 0.5 close by American and that i've got in no way felt disliked because of fact of my history.
2016-11-27 22:06:27 · answer #6 · answered by ? 4 · 0⤊ 0⤋
I think that's just their way. They prefer not to blend with the rest of the population, or draw attention to themselves. They are very peaceful people for the most part, and let's face it, the rest of the population is primarily greedy, constantly in a hurry, and careless.
2007-03-22 04:04:54 · answer #7 · answered by ? 3 · 3⤊ 0⤋
They are very few in numbers. total native american population in North America is 1,878,285 and total population of North america is 298,444,215 that makes them 0.63%. that translates to every 1000 ppl you see, 6 of them will be Native americans. And from that total of 0.6%, the concentration is shown on this map.
http://www.census.gov/geo/www/mapGallery/images/americanindian.jpg
Hope that helps :)
2007-03-22 04:48:50 · answer #8 · answered by Sohaib S 2 · 1⤊ 0⤋
Because europeans came over here, stole their land, gave them disease infected presents, killed most of them and the very few who survived were taken to reservations.
2007-03-22 04:02:39 · answer #9 · answered by Anonymous · 3⤊ 1⤋
they are on a different wavelength... their existance is still in bounds of nature... they still see the earth as mother. think about this...would you wanna be friends if i came into your house and took a dump on your couch?
2007-03-22 04:02:59 · answer #10 · answered by dr.macgruder 4 · 3⤊ 0⤋