Rethinking Race 2010: Native American Content
First encounter: two cultures
Descent into warfare
Native Americans were enslaved,
Exiled….under the Indian Removal Act of 1830
Assimilated in Indian Boarding Schools
Pine Ridge Reservation, South Dakota 1.7 million acres 30,000 Lakota Sioux Established 1868
Pine Ridge Reservation…site of Wounded Knee Massacre 1890
Pine Ridge Reservation…site of Wounded Knee Standoff of 1973
Pine Ridge Reservation 2009
Pine Ridge – Shannon County, SD Unemployment around 80%. Life expectancy: 48 for men, 52 for women; Infant mortality five times the national rate; Highest alcoholism rate in the nation (Source: Eagles Nest Center, Westfield WI)
A story in statistics Census 2000 Total US population All Native Americans Selected tribes Female head of household % (Sioux) % with bachelor degree or higher (age 25+) (Navajo) Median earnings - male $37,057$28,919$24,688 (Pueblo) Median earnings - female $27,197$22,834$21,077 (Navajo) Poverty rate % (Sioux)
The mascot controversy
Other Native American topics (on resource list): World War II Code Talkers Cross cultural nursing Native Americans in film Protection of graves Native American authors Native American law Casinos Native American myths
Ample opportunity to “weave” Native American content into your courses
Thank you!