Oppressions And Indian Americans

Chad Kingbay
      Hurl 206
      Paper #3
      Darlene St. Clair from St Cloud State University came into talk to us about American Indians and oppressions.   I learned that there is a lot of historical grief and trauma that has happened in a Native American lifetime because of what they have had to deal with from us being here.   From 1500-1700 there was a huge steep decline of populations because of military, slavery, genocide, and famine.   The lowest point of native people was in the 1890’s that left them with approximately 200,000 people.   Land keeps being taken from Native Americans and getting spread out over Americans and Native Americans, this is where you get a certain amount of land for how many people your family consists of.   Prior to Columbus’ arrival, the Indian tribes of the Americans were all sovereign nations that maintained their own system of government.   I feel that it is terrible that our ancestors came over and took over their land and made treaties for them but still seemed to break them so help support our own economy.
      In the article Canada’s people get a formal apology the author, Christopher Guly and Maggie Farley talk about the apology that the government gave to the people of Canada for the damage and suffering that they have giving to families of the Native.   The government was asking for forgiveness from the natives because they were forcing children to go to a boarding school to “’civilize and Christianize them’”.   This made children grow away from there native roots and changed the beliefs they grew up on.   The article says that the apology was forced upon the government from native tribes but they are glad that the apology came.   They next step that Canada needs to figure out “there outstanding land claims.”   I believe that is great of Canada to step up and look at different heritages and respect the way their kids are brought up and what they should and should not learn.
      I had to leave early for the second speaker...