Native Americans - Culture

In the study of Native Americans, it is more evident to divide the Americas into geographic regions.

[yoga chic]

This is a brief but informative article on the individual cultures and locations of these culture areas. How this article has the cultures broken up into 12 regions makes it so easy to follow.

[yoga chic]

Hey ya'll. If anyone wants to start a discussion on Native Americans, just post it here.
I would love to start up some fun and adventurous discussions on anything NA. There's so much knowledge out there just waiting to be learned.
Peace & Love

[yoga chic]

I'm just copying and pasting from my list of favorites on my computer. There are some great sites out there if anyone's interested in discussing anything.

http://www.ewebtribe.com/NACulture/

[yoga chic]

This is the link to the Committee on Natural Resources which houses the Office of Indian Affairs. It has a wealth of information and is where you can go to see what bill, if any, is up that has to do with the NA's.
It is also a place to write if you have issues you would need some attention paid or they will get you where you need to go.

I copied this from the site.

"Being Indian is an attitude, a state of mind, a way of being in harmony with all things and all beings. It is allowing the heart to be the distributor of energy on this planet, to allow feelings and sensitivities to determine where energy goes, bringing aliveness up from the Earth and from the Sky, putting it in and giving it out from the heart." Brooke Medicine Eagle

As the original stewards and protectors of our nation's natural resources, there is scarcely a corner of this great land that has not been enriched by the presence and influence of Native Americans, Alaska Natives and Native Hawaiians. From America's sweeping plains to glorious mountain peaks and sustenance-giving seas, their respect for the land and its bounty is a significant part of our national heritage.

Over the centuries, Native Americans, Alaska Natives and Native Hawaiians have made, and continue to make, significant contributions to this nation as sovereign entities. As a result, the United States has a unique political and legal relationship with Natives that is deeply rooted in American history and law.

But years of federal neglect have left these communities struggling to meet the challenges of everyday life. Health care facilities are unacceptably inadequate, resulting in shockingly high rates of illness and life-threatening disease among Natives, such as diabetes, cancer and infant mortality.

Crime and violence continue to run rampant throughout many of these communities, due to the lack of resources needed to tackle these atrocities. Sacred lands have been encroached in the administration's unprecedented drive to plunder our impressive landscapes. Recognition has been denied to deserving tribes.

In an effort to ensure these issues are given the prominent focus they deserve, matters pertaining to Indian affairs are considered at the full Committee level, under the leadership of Committee Chairman Nick J. Rahall (D-WV). The Committee is committed to addressing and reversing these startling trends, and will continue working to ensure justice and vitality for Native Americans, Alaska Natives and Native Hawaiians across America.

[yoga chic]

Ooops, here's the link.

http://resourcescommittee.house.gov/index.php...

[Blues Guitar]

FYI,

The term, American Indian was created by the US federal government in their attempt to put all tribes into one category to assist in furthering their assimilation into white society as they continued to spread their doctrine of manifest destiny.

A more correct term would be American Indian, and not Native American.

You see, everyone born in America is a native American.

But,

Not everyone born in America is American Indian.

I discovered this while reading a book several years ago titled,“Where White Men Fear To Tread” by Russell Means.

[ChinsRule]

Blues Guitar wrote:

FYI,
The term, American Indian was created by the US federal government in their attempt to put all tribes into one category to assist in furthering their assimilation into white society as they continued to spread their doctrine of manifest destiny.
A more correct term would be American Indian, and not Native American.
You see, everyone born in America is a native American.
But,
Not everyone born in America is American Indian.
I discovered this while reading a book several years ago titled,“Where White Men Fear To Tread” by Russell Means.

Hi! I'm CR and welcome to our little corner of Topix. Are you American Indian?

We use the term Native American, usually shortened to NA, because it is the more widely used term. If it's just us, we might use 'NDN.' I've not read Means' book. If truth be known, i'm not a huge fan of Means. What was it you enjoyed most about the book?

[yoga chic]

Blues Guitar wrote:

FYI,
The term, American Indian was created by the US federal government in their attempt to put all tribes into one category to assist in furthering their assimilation into white society as they continued to spread their doctrine of manifest destiny.
A more correct term would be American Indian, and not Native American.
You see, everyone born in America is a native American.
But,
Not everyone born in America is American Indian.
I discovered this while reading a book several years ago titled,“Where White Men Fear To Tread” by Russell Means.

Good day and how are you? I am YC. Yeah, I've read a lot on NA's and have read that everywhere. Quite interesting but mostly sad, still is sad. I have to say though, Russell Means is not someone I take too seriously. I just never have. I don't mean that to sound ugly towards anyone, just my opinion. I prefer Native American, as we are the ones who were here first.

[Blues Guitar]

yoga chic wrote:

<quoted text>
Good day and how are you? I am YC. Yeah, I've read a lot on NA's and have read that everywhere. Quite interesting but mostly sad, still is sad. I have to say though, Russell Means is not someone I take too seriously. I just never have. I don't mean that to sound ugly towards anyone, just my opinion. I prefer Native American, as we are the ones who were here first.

Hello YC,

You are not the first to express a less than positive opinion about Russell Means, I have heard similar views from others before.

But there were two important (important to me anyway) pieces of information that I found while reading his book way back when.

And I'm not a follower of his or anything like that either, its just that there were two very important pieces of information I found in his book several years back when I read it.

The 1st part I already posted here earlier today, regarding the US federal creation of the term Native American.

The 2nd important piece of information I found in his book is how the name NDN came to be.
Its origin.

I thought this part was very interesting.

Many people in America have been taught that Christopher Columbus thought he landed in India when he first arrived on these shores, and that is how NDNs got their name.

Well, in his book I found out that India during the time of Columbus was not called India, it was called Hinduscan, or something close to that.

Here is where the name came from.

Christopher Columbus while here in America observed the NDNs and in his own native language, he called them, "la genta indio," (A People in with God.)

In time, "la genta indio" began to be abbreviated, until the la genta was completely dropped, and the "indio" remained. And indio became the word we know as Indian.

For me personally, I found those two pieces of information very interesting.

And so I shared them :)

[ChinsRule]

yoga chic wrote:

<quoted text>
Good day and how are you? I am YC. Yeah, I've read a lot on NA's and have read that everywhere. Quite interesting but mostly sad, still is sad. I have to say though, Russell Means is not someone I take too seriously. I just never have. I don't mean that to sound ugly towards anyone, just my opinion. I prefer Native American, as we are the ones who were here first.

I would think "U.S. Native" would be a more appropriate term for anyone born here since it was the United States, don't you?

In my humble opinion, it's ridiculous to call anyone born here 'Native American' because the Americas extend from the bottom of South America to the very top of the northernmost portion of North America (which includes Canada). So, to say that anyone *born* here is "Native American" would say that everyone born from the southernmost portion of South America to the most northernmost portion of North America would be "Native American."

No; won't work. WE, those of us with the blood of the American Indian running in our veins, are Native American.

[yoga chic]

Blues Guitar wrote:

<quoted text>
Hello YC,
You are not the first to express a less than positive opinion about Russell Means, I have heard similar views from others before.
But there were two important (important to me anyway) pieces of information that I found while reading his book way back when.
And I'm not a follower of his or anything like that either, its just that there were two very important pieces of information I found in his book several years back when I read it.
The 1st part I already posted here earlier today, regarding the US federal creation of the term Native American.
The 2nd important piece of information I found in his book is how the name NDN came to be.
Its origin.
I thought this part was very interesting.
Many people in America have been taught that Christopher Columbus thought he landed in India when he first arrived on these shores, and that is how NDNs got their name.
Well, in his book I found out that India during the time of Columbus was not called India, it was called Hinduscan, or something close to that.
Here is where the name came from.
Christopher Columbus while here in America observed the NDNs and in his own native language, he called them, "la genta indio," (A People in with God.)
In time, "la genta indio" began to be abbreviated, until the la genta was completely dropped, and the "indio" remained. And indio became the word we know as Indian.
For me personally, I found those two pieces of information very interesting.
And so I shared them :)

Hello again.
That second part is very interesting, I have never heard that one before and I have read about natives my whole life. I'm gonna have to look that one up and thanks for the info. I love researching anything indian so this looks to be a good one.
Is Russell Means' book the only place you have seen this written?
Hope you have a nice evening.
YC

[Little Cat]

ChinsRule wrote:

<quoted text>
I would think "U.S. Native" would be a more appropriate term for anyone born here since it was the United States, don't you?
In my humble opinion, it's ridiculous to call anyone born here 'Native American' because the Americas extend from the bottom of South America to the very top of the northernmost portion of North America (which includes Canada). So, to say that anyone *born* here is "Native American" would say that everyone born from the southernmost portion of South America to the most northernmost portion of North America would be "Native American."
No; won't work. WE, those of us with the blood of the American Indian running in our veins, are Native American.

I still love the Frank Lloyd Wright's term for those born here: "Usonian" It fits.

[ChinsRule]

Little Cat wrote:

<quoted text>
I still love the Frank Lloyd Wright's term for those born here: "Usonian" It fits.

It's perfection! Why hasn't that been used??

[Blues Guitar]

yoga chic wrote:

<quoted text>Hello again.
That second part is very interesting, I have never heard that one before and I have read about natives my whole life. I'm gonna have to look that one up and thanks for the info. I love researching anything indian so this looks to be a good one.
Is Russell Means' book the only place you have seen this written?
Hope you have a nice evening.
YC

Hello YC,

To answer your question, yes Russell's book is the only book I've seen that information in.

He said that he learned this piece of very interesting information from an NDN somewhere south of our border, either in Mexico, Central or South America, I don't remember which.

I guess I have a bit of an interest in some words and their origin at times.

Thinking about that reminds me of something I encountered while further up north a few years back.

At my place of work at the time, two Lakota youth arrived there and stayed a short while.

I noticed they were always referring to each other as Sioux.

And so one day (my word thing again) I asked them why they chose to call each other Sioux, rather than Lakota.

They replied, "I don't know, I guess cause we're Sioux."

I then told them about the origin of the word Sioux, and how it came from a French word that meant "snake" and "enemy."

The French were calling the Lakota "snakes" and "enemies" when referring to them as Sioux, and for some reason the word stuck.

And the one of the young Lakota's replied, "We don't care, were still Sioux."

<eye roll>

[yoga chic]

Little Cat wrote:

<quoted text>
I still love the Frank Lloyd Wright's term for those born here: "Usonian" It fits.

I thought that was cool too. His Usonian houses were strange though.

[Blues Guitar]

Another word I like is Oklahoma.

Oklahoma was submitted for the statehood name by Choctaw Chief Allen Wright.

Originally Oklahoma was two words.

Okla and Humma.

The first part Okla, means People in Choctaw.

And the second part Humma, means Red in Choctaw.

The two words were put together with one geminated "M" removed making it into one word.

Oklahoma means Red People in Choctaw.

This information can be easily verified in the state of Oklahoma, by contacting the Oklahoma State Capital, and or by contacting The Choctaw Nation Capital of Oklahoma.

[yoga chic]

Blues Guitar wrote:

<quoted text>
Hello YC,
To answer your question, yes Russell's book is the only book I've seen that information in.
He said that he learned this piece of very interesting information from an NDN somewhere south of our border, either in Mexico, Central or South America, I don't remember which.
I guess I have a bit of an interest in some words and their origin at times.
Thinking about that reminds me of something I encountered while further up north a few years back.
At my place of work at the time, two Lakota youth arrived there and stayed a short while.
I noticed they were always referring to each other as Sioux.
And so one day (my word thing again) I asked them why they chose to call each other Sioux, rather than Lakota.
They replied, "I don't know, I guess cause we're Sioux."
I then told them about the origin of the word Sioux, and how it came from a French word that meant "snake" and "enemy."
The French were calling the Lakota "snakes" and "enemies" when referring to them as Sioux, and for some reason the word stuck.
And the one of the young Lakota's replied, "We don't care, were still Sioux."
<eye roll>

French Canadian actually. Dakota, Lakota or Nakota, the Great Sioux Nation's 3 divisions at least now, it used to be the Seven Council Fires.
It's kind of an abbr. of Nadouessioux, long story but refers to a small rattlesnake known as massasauga. Canada has a city outside of Toronto named Mississauga, cool place, stayed there for a week about 9 years ago and had a blast. Beautiful area to visit. Anyway, the Ottowa used the word and it's been said it was taken as an insult but nobody really knows for sure. It is however, sort of considered as an insult today so many Sioux refer to themselves as their Sioux tribal name. Had years of the French language, just love it!

[yoga chic]

Oh, that's cool about Oklahoma. I grew up on the Arkansas-Oklahoma border, my whole family is from there, and in all that time I never heard what Oklahoma meant. Guess when you're close to some things you don't pay attention sometimes.
:)

[yoga chic]

Hey Blue, I wasn't tryin' to sound like a know-it-all about the Sioux thing, I was just tellin' ya what I knew. It's all cool. I love learning new stuff.