Consider the choices of Native Americans who decide to stay on their tribe's native land (reservation)...?

Question

Consider the choices of Native Americans who decide to stay on their tribe's native land (reservation) and those who choose to relocate to a city. If you were presented with this decision, which would you choose and why?

Answer 1

Ya'at'eeh,

I'd choose my reservation trust lands over the city rental space ANY day. You can run your business how you want without someone butting in, except for sales taxes. There is space. You can traces family ties and clanships back hundreds of years. It is clean. It is spacious. The education system is improving WITH Navajo language and culture programs. As such, we are retaining our culture and language and continuing to be productive members of America's working society.

So the city has Starbucks, digital cineplexes, museums and dance clubs. Those are nice, but they are not necessary for a long and beautiful life. I admit the public transportation was cool, but I prefer my hard-earned pick-up truck. The homes with air conditioning are great while neighbors play their loud music. But, I prefer the serene sounds of crickets, birds and the occasional vehicle driving by on the dirt road. Museums, clubs, galleries, etc. are cool, but I prefer driving down the road to my relatives to visit and share food. It's more comforting.

I never attended off-reservation schools except for college, but I seemed to have turned out alright. My family turned out alright. Graduating from Antioch Law School in Washington, DC, my late father was a court advocate, Peacemaker and private attorney for the Navajo people. He also represented the Dine Hataalthii/Medicineman Association and the Dine Spiritual and Cultural Society, both Navajo orthodox organizations advocating for the continuation of Navajo language and culture in Navajo society. Obtaining her Masters from Prescott College in Elementary Education, my mom teaches Navajo weaving at the University of New Mexico. She is a continuing orthodox weaver and master dyer showing artwork at southwest shows. Graduating from Arizona State University, my oldest brother was an electrical engineer for Raytheon in Tucson, AZ testing the guidance systems of the missiles used in America's missile defense system over the Pacific theatre. Schooling at Arizona State University, my older brother was a salesman for Alltel systems. Currently, he is "between jobs." Graduating from the University of Arizona, my younger sister is a domestic violence counselor/events coordinator for a domestic violence shelter in Tucson. As for myself, I run a Navajo weaving and dyeing business. I primarily design, fabricate, sell Navajo looms and tools. I am pursuing my BS in chemistry with a minor in business where I plan to spread Navajo culture and language throughout the Navajo reservation but out into non-reservation environments to properly educate folks of Navajo way. I have big plans.

Soooo, to answer your question, it's a no-brainer. I chose HOME with all it's beautiful nuances. It's not perfect, but at least I have HOME, where my ancestors roamed and perpetuated the productive person I am. I am extremely grateful for what they negotiated, prayed and ceremonially offered in the past. I hope to meet you and educate you on my ways. 'Axehee'...

Answer 2

Reservation, reservations aren't very different from the Cities to begin with. We have electricity, we have television, we have vehicles. The only differences you'll find are on a cultural and societal level. We can be "indian" with out people holding a camera to your face. So its all good, and I have lived off the reservation for years. I got enough of it, made enough non-native friends. So I plan to live out here now, and it doesn't bother me none. I just prefer to be closer to home, in our own cultural sanctuary. Most enrolled Natives do live off the reservation where they go to school, are in military service, or are working. Some stay off and live their lives. Others come back to the reservations eventually.

Answer 3

Now i can only speak for myself. A Cherokee, living among the Nisqually (inland Salish tribes)

I think the greatest aspect of living on the reservation is full autonomy.

The Tribal Council, including justice and prison systems.
The schooling, including multi-denominational faith and languages, where they speak in 3 or 4 different tongues and celebrate as many different religions and their holidays.

It's a beautiful thing..

Answer 4

"native land", BUSHWAH, the amerinds came across the land bridge in Alaska from Asia, they are no more Native to this continent than anyone else. They just happened to get here first, and didn't have the wherewithal to build an advanced civilization, tho they had the same amounts of time and resources that any other race and culture had, they just preferred to continue to "play" in the forests etc. So when those who would expand into new lands to make use of them, the amerinds didn't stand a chance. This is survival of the fittest, this is progress, and frankly, I am tired to death of seeing my tax dollars going to tribes that lost their war. I didn't create the situation, I had nothing to do with what happened several hundred years ago, and I resent mightily having to pay some sort of recompense for those who are not "indigenous" to this continent anyway.

Answer 5

ummm well i am cherokee but i would try to be w/ my ppl but it has to be near water and a forest..like were we were before u took r lands...i want to run in the woods and play in the lake and dance, and have fun...and if possible hunt

Answer 6

I've got to be in a big city. I'd move away, for sure.