Select one of the social issues that contemporary Native Americans face.?

Question

I have to write a short paper, and can't decide on a topic.
This is the prompt we were given: Select one of the social issues that contemporary Native Americans face. Explain why you think this ethnic group does / does not have a greater problem with this issue than mainstream Americans or people in other ethnic groups.

Any ideas on what to write on?

Answer 1

I'll give you three ideas.

1. Autonomy and self-rule: The American government would have you believe that reservations are autonomous zones and that native peoples' have the right to self-governance of their reservations. But, ever since the first native peoples were forcibly removed from their land and imprisoned on these gulags, the American government is forever interfering in reservation issues. This problem is unique to First Nations people because no other group in the U.S. is presently living in a reservation system.

2. Drug abuse: First Nations people are much greater risk for abusing drugs. This, in part, is due to their susceptibility to alcohol. But, the primary reason indigenous people are at greater risk for substance abuse is because of the sheer hopelessness of life on the rez. Thanks to the continued interference of the federal government into native issues, reservations have had a great deal of trouble implementing economic development plans to provide their young people with more opportunities for employment.

3. Domestic abuse: Native women are at significantly higher risk for domestic violence. This too is a result of the substance abuse, high unemployment, poverty, and overall despair that characterizes life on the rez for many native peoples.

Answer 2

How about the fact that we are the only ethnic group in the world that has to carry a card that says we are American "Indian"....

or.

The fact that the average annual income of a Navajo living on the reservation is $4000.00

Answer 3

They are not the government or the president of the country's they have founded first.In the Caribbean they always have a native who is the president or whatever.I don`t think its fair that Native Americans don`t have complete ownership.

Answer 4

alcoholism or drug abuse. either one because these problems are faced by many today. if neither one of these suit you try unemployment.