Sociology of Race and Ethic Relations

CHAPTER OVERVIEW

Chapter 6

Focusing on the experience of Native Americans in the United States, this chapter discusses the history of their subordination by Europeans. Schaefer explains the development of policy towards Native Americans, which usually focused on relocation and assimilation. This chapter also explains the growth of pan-Indianism that serves to unite the many diverse native cultures in addressing the issues that affect them collectively. It also discusses the role of sovereignty in Native-American tribal self-rule.

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Learning Objectives

1. To learn about historical interactions between Europeans and Native Americans.

2. To learn about the history of legislation targeting Native Americans.

3. To understand how federal policies affect life on reservations.

4. To learn about pan-Indianism and how Native Americans today address issues of economic development, education, health care, religion, and the environment.

5. To understand the role of sovereignty in Native-American tribal self-rule.

CHAPTER 6 THE FIRST NATIVE AMERICANS

In this chapter the history of relations between Native Americans and the White settlers and government is explored. Federal policies, which followed decades of open warfare, stressed assimilation to the point of forcing Native Americans to leave their homelands and abandon their cultures. This internal colonialism continued well into the 20th century. While late 20th century policies contained some elements of recognizing tribal self-rule, the government continued to design paternalistic policies for native peoples even when they conflicted with what the native peoples themselves wanted.

The diversity of the Native American people in terms of tribe, urban versus rural, reservation v. non-reservation, and degree of mixed ancestry may be without parallel to any other subordinate group. Not unexpectedly, such a diverse people respond to their unique position in a number of different and sometimes contradictory ways. Resistance through collective action is found in pan-Indianism in the form of social protests and cultural protection.

The continued conflict between the dominant culture and Native Americans into the 21st century is seen in land rights, tribal hunting and fishing rights, environmental justice, economic

Lecture Notes

Removal Act, 1830

What was the goal of the Indian Removal Act of 1830?

The Indian Removal Act and the "Trail of Tears" ware examples of forced migration of the Indians to the west.

This Act intended to relocate the Native Americans west of the Mississippi River. And it allowed the annexation of traditional Indian lands and the colonization by white settlers.

The Dawes Act know as General Allotment Act of 1887

The Allotment Act intended to impose upon the Native Americans the European concept of private property ownership.

Reorganization Act 1934

The Indian Reorganization Act forced the tribal people to adopt the European way of voting and the election of leaders.

The Allotment Act and the Indian Reorganization Act were based on the idea of force assimilation of the American Indians.

Termination Act 1953-1975

Ended the reservation federal tax immunity, cut federal for basic health care services and favored Native Americans self-governance within the structure of the BIA (without sovereignty)