Native Americans Indian
Introduction
Native American Indians is a group of people who settle in the American continent way down in history before even the docking of Christopher Columbus ship in Bahamas. Anthropologists and Geographers Establishers the existence of Native American Indians in America to as early as 15thcentury BC, this is before any discovery of the American continent. This group of people has a unique culture and strong belief and code of ethic that controlled their lifestyle and way of association. The duties of each member were well define and subdivided along gender line. Men were ideally recognized as hunters, community protectors against foreigners and enemies and they were the warriors. Women on the other hand were recognized as assigned the duties of taking care of children and farming.
This community was perfect in artwork and greatly contributed to the rich American Artwork history. During the late 1800 and early 1900, the Native American Indians fought so hard against the external forces in a bid to protect their land. They were forced out of their home leading to the development of famous legendary stories such as the trail of tears. Different US presidents even passed laws to remove them from their homelands. This led to their numbers greatly falling and the strong grip onto their culture changed. Most of them adopted European cultures and way of life including way of dressing and religion so as to survive within the new community (Pohl 65-70). This led the reduction on numbers of this special community of people. The community is faced with a number of challenges including abuse of alcohol, poverty, drug abuse and diseases. Native American Indians has defined traditional values and behavior that is unique to their traditional way of living. These values and behaviors include the following;
Spirituality
The community believes in supernatural being who controls the universe. This supernatural being is responsible for the farewell of the community. The members of the community believed in prayers and they would pray every time to their supreme being. Wakan Tanka was the supernatural being who is believed to be their god. No evil force would dominate the Wanka Tank. This gave the people hope that there is a powerful being watching over them. The powerful being is believed to have good attributes and did not punish human, animals and plants. He was responsible for the good things that transpired. A common believe helped to hold the community together through the many years that the community existed (Grinde 114).
Personal differences
This community is anchored on mutual respect within members of different age, sex and social class. It is expected that they mutually respect each other without any favor of malice. The community too respects privacy of each other and traditionally members are not expected to mingle into other people’s personal affair. Members have a culture of staying out of interaction that seems not to directly touch on his wellbeing. This is a unique cultural value that helped hold the community together since instances of conflict of interest are eliminated. Their culture demand that unique attributes of an individual is respected however small the attribute may be (Pohl 65-70). Conflicts are expected to be handled on personal level and with diligence before it involves other members of the community who are expected to pass sound judgment.
Open and transparent work ethics
The community believes that wealth is accumulated through work and no other fraudulent means. When an individual is engaged in a particulars activity he should not do it for material gain but for the price of being successful. Work should not be valued on monetary terms but the impact it creates in the community and the benefits that come with it. The community values a working culture and a spirit to success. Works is supposed to be done when it is required and completed when it is required. The duties of each member were well define and subdivided along gender line. Men were ideally recognized as hunters, community protectors against foreigners and enemies and they were the warriors. Women on the other hand were recognized as assigned the duties of taking care of children and farming. This community was perfect in artwork and greatly contributed to the rich American Artwork history. Every work should be done with an aim to achieve a particular purpose. The value requires that a member should not just be busy for the sake but the outcome should be measurable. This value ensured that the community progressed from one level to the other without depending on other communities.
Quietness
This is a unique value associated with this native community since it helps in safe guarding of community secrets. The community has a common behavior of being non-vocal and silent whenever they are angered. This value is helpful in the survival of the community through ages. The attribute has been cultivated and has remained helpful in ensuring the continued existence of its members.in some cases, this has been misinterpreted to mean the community is weak and unable to vocally champion for its position and resources (Jones 27-50). This has not worked well in the community since it rendered them vulnerable to attack.
Mutualism
Each member of the community is required to perform his duties for the benefit of the whole group. This culture cultivates selflessness and communal living where by the property that is within the community belongs to each member and the members are required to guard it jealously. Every member is part and parcel of larger community and his deeds are reflection of them (Borgna 48-51). Each member has a sense of belonging and cultivates this value for the general community benefit. Cooperation and solidarity among member are a fundamental requirement. This attribute has been helpful throughout the entire period in making sure community cohesion is maintained. Community cohesion was a key component in the survival of the community, hostile neighbors and diminishing resources required the community to hold together so as to achieve their goals.
Patience
The culture of the native people was laid on the foundation that every event occurs naturally at its own perfect time without the influence of human (Borgna 38)
This great belief has enable members of the ethical group to exercise patience whenever they are dealing with issues. Community members are therefore encouraged to work hard and wait for results and not try to hasten any process that is in process. This has helped enforce community togetherness since the desire to achieve is not a great deal that might end up encouraging malicious ways of attaining success (Grinde 114).
Non-verbal orientation
This community has a culture whereby its member prefer listening and not speaking. When they talk they talk with a purpose. There is no speaking just to be recognized that you are present. Association with strangers and unfamiliar people is usually limited and very conservative. Giving of opinions and views about issues that are of interest is usually limited (Grinde 114). The community understands that words are a powerful and a tool that can cause serious community concern and disintegration. It is through words that information on community wellbeing can be compromised. This attribute about the Native American Indian has helped conserve the ethics and the norms of the community and maintain a high level of secrecy. Their culture has been conserved and protected from external interference due to this attribute.
Practicality
Lessons on community progress are inclined to practical skills that are applicable in the continued existence of the community. Theoretical education which does not involve participation is avoided. Act of war and the art to fight was practiced from a tender age to sharpen the young boys into the responsibility that awaits them. Lesson learnt go a long way in protecting the community against any encroachment.
These values helped to shape the community and prepare it for the challenges that the face from time to time. With time the community was encroached and other tough and strong communities and leadership came into place which threatened the existence of the Native American Indians community. During the late 1800 and early 1900, the Native American Indians fought so hard against the external forces in a bid to protect their land. The external forces of development and innovation required more space for development and innovation. Investment was a reality and the community was at the receiving end. They were forced out of their home leading to the development of famous legendary stories such as the trail of tears. Different US presidents even passed laws to remove them from their homelands. This legislation .was inevitable and the community had to readjust for it to survive (Jones 27-50). Most community members had to embrace European culture or face extinction. The dressing mode of the community changed. Many of them had to embrace Christianity, a culture that was totally new to them. This led the reduction on numbers of this special community of people (Borgna 44). With continued development and extinction of the communal life, the fabric that was holding the community together was totally broken. The community members are faced with a number of challenges including abuse of alcohol, poverty, drug abuse and diseases. These challenges are progressively getting difficult to handle. Native American Indians has defined traditional values and behavior that is unique to their traditional way of living.
Conclusion
In conclusion, Native American Indian, are the earliest inhabitant of the American continent. Their belief and culture is well rooted in their culture. The community highly hold moral and values and belief that each member. The duties of each member were well define and subdivided along gender line. Men were ideally recognized as hunters, community protectors against foreigners and enemies and they were the warriors. Women on the other hand were recognized as assigned the duties of taking care of children and farming. This community was perfect in artwork and greatly contributed to the rich American Artwork history. During the late 1800 and early 1900, the Native American Indians fought so hard against the external forces in a bid to protect their land. The external forces of development and innovation required more space for development and innovation. Investment was a reality and the community was at the receiving end. They were forced out of their home leading to the development of famous legendary stories such as the trail of tears. Different US presidents even passed laws to remove them from their homelands. This legislation was inevitable and the community had to readjust for it to survive.
Works Cited
Borgna, B. American India verse Native American: A once heated issue has sorted itself
Out, 2001.
Grinde, D. A. & Johansen S. R. Exemplary of liberty Native American & the evolution of
Democracy, 1991.
Jones, Peter. Respect for the Ancestors: American Indian Cultural Affiliation in the American
West, Boulder, CO: Bauu Press, 2005.
Pohl, Frances. Framing America: A Social History of American Art, New York: Thames &
Hudson, 2002.