Life of a Part-time Indian: Discrimination Within Native Communities

"Sharing One's Skin" 

Reading the article brought up the realization that there are separate parts of our beings that help make us whole. Our emotional and spiritual beings are most vulnerable because it deals with our hearts. Allowing ourselves to feel and make those connections with others is what creates a community. No one is born isolated and I feel that's the main idea that needs to be shared. Belonging in a community whether it's your clan or last name, is what helps you build your identity. Not only does it build your identity, but it also helps make connections with your environment and your surroundings.  

"How place names impact the way we see landscape" 

Separating our religion while facing modern changes in the new era was found challenging in the story, “And Then I Went to School” told by Joe Suina. In his story, Joe Suina shares his experience with his struggle with adjusting to the culture shock from being away from home and having to leave his “Indian” behind. As technology such as televisions and radios started to trend, the sense of community became a distant memory and the sense of identity, he was punished for speaking and practicing his native tongue. Even when he would practice his religious doings the teacher would discourage the importance of taking part. He felt school was “ripping him apart” because as the years went on he found himself belittling his native ways when he would go home. He felt conflicted. 

"And Then I Went to School: Memories of a Pueblo Childhood" 

Separating our religion while facing modern changes in the new era was found challenging in the story "And I Went to School" told by Joe Suina. In his story, Joe Suina shares his experience with his personal struggle with adjusting to the culture shock from being away from home and having to leave his "Indian" behind. As technology such as televisions and radios started to trend the sense of community became a distant memory. His first years of school were an experience he would never forget. At his young age, when you're developing your sense of identity, he was punished for speaking and practicing his native cultural ways. Even when he would practice his religious doings the teacher would discourage the importance of taking part. He felt school was ripping him apart because as the years went on he found himself belittling his own native ways when he would go home. He felt that his identity was lost due to being away from home and missing out on religious doings. 

"Native American Boarding Schools and Assimilation" 

Boarding Schools in the 1870s were assigned to kill innocent souls of American Indian children. Colonel Richard H. Pratt was the first to design a boarding school, where education at the boarding school was made to “kill the Indianness in the Indian.” As families tried to hide and resist government officials from taking their children, the government as a punishment denied the families food rations, annuity that was granted by a treaty, jail time, or in Hopi their leaders were arrested and sent to Alcatraz prison. Sometimes most government officials wanted to avoid issues, so they would sneak into tribal communities and kidnap the children while their parents were left clueless. The real main purpose of boarding schools was to “strip away the students’ sense of themselves…transforming them into a blank slate.” This allowed the staff to teach the children American mainstream beliefs and convert them into “enthusiastic Christians.”  Along with this, the missionary staff made students feel ashamed of their families and communities while having lessons stressing their allegiance was no longer to their communities, but to the United States. 

"Fractured Relations at Home: The 1953 Termination Acts Effects on Tribal Relations" 

As many tribes fought to protect their sovereignty and land, the Congress was fighting to help set the Indians "free!" With many opposing arguments trying to help make themselves feel better with no regret. Although some tribes viewed this as a blessing in disguise to stop the BIA from interfering, others thought this meant the end of tribal governments and culture. While Senator Arthur V. Watkins, chairman of the Senate subcommittee on Indian affairs, preached "about emancipation and freedom for the American Indians." All tribes were already "free and had American citizenship", so that speech was a patriotic lie to cover up the real reason why Congress wanted to pass the termination policy. In fact, the real reason was to "integrate this minority population into mainstream society." and relieve the Indians of their lands for their valuable resources. This was their idea of trying to succeed in assimilating the "poor minority population of Indians." 

"Urban Rez" 

This documentary, "Urban Rez", brings out two sides of the Relocation policies in the 1950s that encouraged many American Indians to leave home and relocate to urban areas across the country. As the relocation policy brought opportunities for many Native families, some thought this was another assimilation act to "get rid of us." Although with the relocation many jumped at the opportunities and decided to live in both worlds, white man's world and tradition. It gave many a sense of freedom and adventure that helped them become more outspoken and to think for themselves. But with having that sense of "freedom" you have to lose something in return. As many experienced they felt their being slowly stripped away from themselves and lonely being away from home. While trying to adapt to urban areas at that time some felt confused trying to thrive in the segregated "black or white" world. Their sense of belonging in both worlds was disrupted since they no longer felt at home in their reservations. With the families that chose to stay in urban areas, when they would return home they would face discrimination and bullying when participating in their culture since they were too "whitewashed" to be proud. 

"Native American Leaders Visit Site of Archeological Dig to Find Remains of Boarding School Students" 

Trying to heal and take back a piece of identity in their communities, tribes, and archaeologists head to Nebraska where the boarding school, Genoa Indian Industrial School, had "at least 86 students die from diseases with one "accidental shooting." Tribal leaders visit the digging site to take home their lost family members. "The search can help heal and bring the children's voices to the surface." This quote helped motivate many diggers and members who stood by and watched. Deb Haaland, Secretary of Interior, led the action to help other Native American communities heal the generational trauma this led to. As the children's remains are uncovered a sense of relief comes over those standing by, while prayers are sent to those who lost loved ones. 

"Native Americans, Far from Tribes, Build Community Around a Drum" 

Proving Natives are still here and strong, a member of the Makah Tribe, helped organize a singing group called "Uptown Singerz". Helped others in the Urban community of Washington D.C, they sing and perfrom to help others feel connected to their tribes once again. Having a dozen members and performing at 20 events in the last months, Uptown Singerz showcase their talents and educate the people about the language. "Gives members who are far from their tribe a home." A quote Nick Courtney gave to others that asked about the group. Members of the group have found this a way to educate and teach others about the language. 

"She's representing all of us: the story behind Deb Haaland's swearing-in dress." 

Deb Haaland continuously making history in style, wore a beautiful ribbon skirt on her swearing into being Secretary of the Interior by Kamala Harris.  This beautiful skirt had rainbows signifying the people around the world, butterflies as an uplifting message for hope, a cornstalk showing contribution to Haaland's heritage from the Laguna Pueblo, and stars to represent that our loved ones are always looking down on us. Without knowing, this skirt would have triggered headlines and gossip. Looking away from the important message the skirt was representing, people, ones from her community, began to tear and throw away the importance of the skirt as a whole.  The designer, Amber Woodward, felt honored and felt her creating this skirt was healing generational trauma she had on her own. "She's representing all of us." is the message she expressed when asked. A message that was overlooked by many from her community. 

" In Santa Fe, Tradition and Identity Clash over an Annual Festival." 

As many Native American communities feel uncomfortable about the Entrada, an annual tradition from 1712, New Mexican Hispanics celebrate the Entrada embracing the celebration and creating a meaningful message, while others oppose it. Protestors opposing the idea of Entrada say it's "glossing over the brutality of the past in favor of a simpler. sweeter version of the city's origin story." Jennifer Marley of San Indelfonson and leader of the indigenous liberation coalition The Red Nation helped organize this year's protest against the Entrada. During the protest. protestors taped their mouths and held signs listing Native American deaths and quotes by Spanish conquistadors hoping to acknowledge the silencing of the Native American community. Recognizing the opposition to the Entrada, Santa FE Mayor Javier Gonzales, who took part in the reenactment of Don Diego, encouraged Native American leaders to meet with people who organized the Fiesta to find a solution. To continue and refuse to change the tradition Mayor Gonzales instead proposed a permanent "Indigenous Peoples Day" that falls on Columbus Day. Many like Elena Ortiz, are still protesting against the fiesta and will continue to until something is done. 

"South Dakota Hotel Owner Sued for Race Discrimination to Apologize and Step Down." 

After a fatal shooting in a hotel located in South Dakota a woman Connie Uhre made a post costing her career and reputation. In March 2020, Uhre posted on Facebook stating, "We will no longer allow any Native Americans on our property." this triggered many Native American communities surrounding the hotel. To prove she'll follow through with her statement, an Indigenous-led activist group called. the NDN collective was denied rooms after her post. Tribal leaders and local officials including residents, boycotted and protested the hotel for months causing the U.S. Department of Justice to get involved and sue the hotel for racial discrimination against American Indians. The statement surrounding the sue was that "it invokes a long and painful history of negative stereotypes against and exclusion of the Native American community." Shortly after the hotel shut down Uhre was arrested on May 31, 2022, accused of spraying a cleaning product at the NDN collective. Still waiting for an apology from the company, Uhre has still yet to respond. 

"Native Americans Feel Invisible in U.S. Health Care System" 

Still proving the government isn't keeping their promises with treaties, Native communities are experiencing racial discrimination within health care programs that are meant to be "free." Margaret Moss from the Hidatsa tribe shares she's experienced racism when trying to receive health care for herself and son. Physicians and attendants at the health care facility kept brushing her aside and ignoring her concerns until she showed her business card representing the Senate logo. This action "transformed the in the doctors eyes from this American Indian...to someone he could not dismiss. In surveys and polls, the data collected confirmed majority of Native Americans had felt they experienced prejudice and were denied health care even with insurance. Going back to the "free health from the government" statement, it has been proven that congress has failed to allocate money to help fund these health care programs for Native Americans. As Native American communities slowly start to decrease, communities expressing concern against the myth of "Native American get free health care from the federal government."