Native Americans

Ever since the first settlers arrived in America, barriers have been made between the groups. The first settlers encountered difficulty in sharing the New World with Native Americans. They found that in order to survive the harsh winters, they needed the guidance of the Native Americans who had lived on the same land for many generations. They found that working together benefited both groups of people. They came together to survive. The settlers needed food and guidance, and the Native Americans needed remedies for the strange diseases the settlers brought.

Eventually, the help the Native Americans offered to the settlers was forgotten. During the first hundred years as a united nation, American citizens worked toward moving Native Americans west. They moved the people from their homelands and made room for immigrants coming from Europe. Eventually, it was found to be too crowded on the East coast, and Americans were encouraged to travel west. Again, the Native Americans found themselves trapped. They were placed on reservations, killed at the hands of fearful settlers, and made to attend Indian Schools. The Indian School in Carlisle, Pennsylvania was the first Indian School to be established. The ultimate goal of the Indian School was to "Kill the Indian, Save the Man." The Native Americans that attended the school were not allowed to use their native language or contact their relatives for several years. The were also made to wear specific uniforms to make them "civilized." Boys wore military uniforms, and girls wore Victorian dresses. The children at the school were also victims of disease. A graveyard was eventually constructed at the school because the cost and effort of sending the bodies of children home to their parents was too great.

Today, Native Americans still have many struggles with American citizens. There are disputes over where Native Americans should live, and how they should live. Their race is dipicted on the uniforms of sports teams nationwide. Children across America dress as Indians for Halloween. Schools are sure to study the First Thanksgiving, the story of Pocahantas, and the Trail of Tears. What we do not learn are their stories, their cultures, and how they see what happened. I am sure their views are very different from ours, and we should try to learn, understand, and accept their culture as much as we want them to accept and be a part of ours.