America's Native Prisoners Of War Analysis

The relationship between American Indians and Americans has been a strained one over the course of the United States history. American Indian history is marked by years of blood, tears, and oppression, but most Americans are oblivious to this fact and often ignore the struggles faced by Native Americans today. Aaron Huey presents a heartbreaking presentation of Native American life in his TED talk, “America’s native prisoners of war.” In addition, Huey offers a different cultural perspective to the issue, one which contradicts the information in many history books and textbooks. Cultural perspective is viewing a situation through the eyes of the individual’s native environment and culture. Aaron Huey views the settling of the Americas from
These conflicting beliefs stem from the false impression of the governments' actions toward Native Americans, and the portrayal of Natives over the course of history. Since the day the Europeans came to the Americas, they formed a negative image of the Natives through their ethnocentric perspective. The Europeans viewed the Natives as “savages” because they did not conform to the European culture. Furthermore, the United States has committed many genocidal acts toward the indigenous population, but some Americans believe these actions were justified. It is strange to think that someone could think that there is a justification for these violent acts, however, American history has masked these genocidal acts under the veil of patriotism. Recently, the U.S. History curriculum came under fire for being too patriotic, causing many researchers to conduct studies on the American curriculum. Author and teacher, Christine Sleeter found that “that the overwhelming dominance of Euro-American perspectives leads many students to disengage from academic learning” (Wong). The biased teachings of American schools have given children a false impression of Native Americas, which has not changed over generations and it one of the reasons why Americans try to justify the actions towards American Indians. Although the days of bloodshed are over, American Indians
However, they feel powerless when it comes to helping them because they don’t know how. It is a valid concern asked by many who feel a responsibility towards the American Indian population. If people want change, they should start with the federal government. For example, Aaron Huey talks about the government dishonoring the treaties of 1851 and 1868, and also acquiring the Black Hills from the Lakota tribe. These are a few examples of the government taking way Indian lands and making false promises towards helping them. Americans should do research on government officials and elect those who understand these issues and are willing to help the American Indians. Encourage Congress to bring these issues forward and demand the government to give the Indians their right property rights. The federal government is the legal owner of all Indian lands and since Indians do not own their “land or homes on reservations, they cannot mortgage their assets for loans like other Americans” (Regan). Tribe members in Canada are pushing for a similar solution, and they make a compelling argument. If the Indians achieve their property rights “individuals of any race would be able to buy and sell it among themselves, without the permission or oversight of tribal or federal officials” (Riley). This would create a free market and allow Indians to sell their property, build a home,