How Does Alcohol Affect Native Americans

As an outlet for depression, many Native Americans have turned to alcohol. In fact, “Native Americans have the highest weekly alcohol consumption of any ethnic group” (Chartier). Alcohol has wreaked havoc on countless Indian communities. For example, in The Diary of a Part Time Indian, during a short period of time, Junior loses his grandmother, Eugene, and his sister. In Junior’s tribe, “about 90 percent of the deaths have been because of alcohol” (Alexie 200). Junior’s grandmother perished when she journeyed home from a powwow and was hit by a drunk driver. Furthermore, Eugene was shot, by his friend Bobby, who was intoxicated. Soon, Junior learns about the death of his sister, Mary, in Montana. An accidental fire erupted and under the influence
The fire claims the lives of Thomas’ parents, but Victor and Thomas are saved. Arnold never forgives himself for causing the fire, but he continues to drink alcohol and occasionally acts violently. After a fight with his wife, Arnold leaves the reservation. These scenes of Smoke Signals clearly exemplify how alcohol can tear Native American families apart and produce grief and suffering. Alcohol can propel Native Americans to engage in aggressive actions and can explain why “domestic violence and physical and sexual assault are three-and-a-half times higher than the national average in Native American communities” (“The Facts on Violence”). Furthermore, in his lecture, Stephen Mitchell recounted a personal story of when he witnessed violence on his reservation. One day, Mitchell returned to the reservation and spotted his brother, who was intoxicated disrespecting their mother. Mitchell believes his brother screamed at their mother, because of the alcohol he consumed. Therefore, Native Americans can resort to alcohol to escape from the overwhelming challenges in their lives. However, alcohol can lower Indians’ self-esteem and launch them into a cycle of
When exploring both the historical oppression of Native Americans and the race’s current challenges, historians can recognize how Indians are living with the remnants of their past. The United States growth as a nation was at the expense of Native Americans, who suffered through genocide, dislocation, and violence from the white man. The historical trauma Native Americans endured has a cumulative emotional and psychological toll, which the ethnicity experiences today. For many tribes, their history is an obstacle for prospective changes and advancement. In the future, to assist Indians in surmounting the trials and tribulations they face, American citizens must spread awareness of the challenges of life on an Indian reservation and aide the group. The United States must finally disregard the stereotypical image of Indians and instead allow Native Americans to win the battle to maintain their cultural identity and traditions. With determination and resilience, in the future, Native Americans can break through the historical barriers of oppression and enjoy financial, familial, and cultural