1. Native Americans Today:
The Aftermath of 500 Years of Genocide

2. Destruction of the Native American Population: Genocide?
95% of deaths by Old World diseases (smallpox, influenza, and measles)
1492 (Arrival of Columbus) – 1890 (Sioux massacre at Wounded Knee): Indian population declined by 112 million
Brazil: Native population declines from 4 million to 300,000 in 400 years

3. Eradication of Native Americans in the U.S.
1850 – 1890: 45,000 Indians are killed in U.S.
1849 – 1870: 4500 California Indians are killed
2006: 0.8% of U.S. population is of Native American descent

4. Massacred Sioux at Wounded Knee (1890)

5. Native California Population (According to Cook, 1978)

6. Modern Barriers to Economic Development
Currently 2.1 million Native Americans in the U.S.– most impoverished of all ethnic groups in U.S.
400,000 reside on reservations
Only 40% (220) of 562 federally recognized tribes operate casinos
Only 1% own and operate a business
Highest teen suicide rate (19 per 100,000) in U.S.
Highest teen pregnancy rate in U.S.
Highest teen dropout rate (54%) in U.S.
Lowest per capita income ($7400) in U.S.
Unemployment rates between 50% to 90%

7. U.S. Federal and State Indian Reservations