Indigenous People
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- Date Submitted: 11/08/2010 08:22 PM
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From the book: American Indians: Stereotypes & Realities
by Devon A. Mihesuah
1. Stereotype:
Indians are all alike.
Reality:
In America alone, there are approximately 2.1 million Indians, belonging to 511 culturally distinct federally recognized tribes or an additional 200 or so unrecognized tribes. They live in a variety of environments, either on 286 U.S. reservations, or off reservation in rural areas or cities.
2. Stereotype:
Indians were conquered because they were inferior.
Reality:
Indians were conquered because of their lack of immunity to European diseases.
3. Stereotype:
If Indians had united, they could have prevented the European invasion.
Reality:
Tribes were too different culturally and lived too far apart to fight together as a cohesive unit.
4. Stereotype:
Indians had no civilization until Europeans brought it to them.
Reality:
Indians were civilized. Their cultures were different from those of Europeans.
5. Stereotype:
Indians arrived in this hemisphere via the Siberian land bridge.
Reality:
Indians believe that they were created in this hemisphere.
6. Stereotype:
Indians were warlike and treacherous.
Reality:
Indians fought to defend their lands, sovereignty and way of life from invaders.
7. Stereotype:
Indians had nothing to contribute to Europeans or the growth of America.
Reality:
The contributions of American Indians have changed and enriched the world.
8. Stereotype:
Indian tribes did not value or empower women.
Reality:
Indian women often wielded considerable power within their tribes.
9. Stereotype:
Indians have no religion.
Reality:
Indians are deeply religious. Each tribe has its own religion.
10. Stereotype:
Indians welcome outsiders to study and participate in their religious ceremonies.
Reality:
Indians often practice their religions secretly and want outsiders to respect their desire for privacy.
11. Stereotype:
Indians are a vanished race.
Reality:
There are 2.1...
by Devon A. Mihesuah
1. Stereotype:
Indians are all alike.
Reality:
In America alone, there are approximately 2.1 million Indians, belonging to 511 culturally distinct federally recognized tribes or an additional 200 or so unrecognized tribes. They live in a variety of environments, either on 286 U.S. reservations, or off reservation in rural areas or cities.
2. Stereotype:
Indians were conquered because they were inferior.
Reality:
Indians were conquered because of their lack of immunity to European diseases.
3. Stereotype:
If Indians had united, they could have prevented the European invasion.
Reality:
Tribes were too different culturally and lived too far apart to fight together as a cohesive unit.
4. Stereotype:
Indians had no civilization until Europeans brought it to them.
Reality:
Indians were civilized. Their cultures were different from those of Europeans.
5. Stereotype:
Indians arrived in this hemisphere via the Siberian land bridge.
Reality:
Indians believe that they were created in this hemisphere.
6. Stereotype:
Indians were warlike and treacherous.
Reality:
Indians fought to defend their lands, sovereignty and way of life from invaders.
7. Stereotype:
Indians had nothing to contribute to Europeans or the growth of America.
Reality:
The contributions of American Indians have changed and enriched the world.
8. Stereotype:
Indian tribes did not value or empower women.
Reality:
Indian women often wielded considerable power within their tribes.
9. Stereotype:
Indians have no religion.
Reality:
Indians are deeply religious. Each tribe has its own religion.
10. Stereotype:
Indians welcome outsiders to study and participate in their religious ceremonies.
Reality:
Indians often practice their religions secretly and want outsiders to respect their desire for privacy.
11. Stereotype:
Indians are a vanished race.
Reality:
There are 2.1...