Introduction
Indigenous people have been recorded to be alive for thousands of years, and sadly, most people have labeled them to be savage, primitive, and tribal, leading to various forms of exclusion, exploitation, and oppression. However, when they encountered the Europeans, dating back to the fifteenth century onwards, there was a significant impact on their way of life. The Europeans brought diseases that were not previously seen, displaced them from their lands, and imposed their way of life on indigenous people (Bil, 2022).
These events led to the development of various labels and attitudes towards indigenous peoples, including the notions of savagery and primitiveness. The labels and attitudes arose from a lack of understanding and respect for the diverse cultures, languages, and ways of life of indigenous peoples. The labels have been a big contributor to the systemic barriers and difficulties they face today. It is important to understand the mistakes that past generations have made by distinguishing the labels and prejudices from the facts.
The paper aims to explore the evolution of labels and attitudes towards indigenous peoples. It will examine the historical treatment of Indigenous people, how it has changed over time, and how it has been rewritten, hushed up, and changed due to political, economic, and other goals (Dunbar-Ortiz, 2019).
Additionally, there will be an exploration of the evolution of views on indigenous peoples, their context, and how they have changed over time (Bil, 2022). The argument is that it is important to consider the events and attitudes in a broader context and to pay attention to the experiences of both indigenous and non-indigenous populations.
Historical Treatment of Indigenous People
The historical treatment of indigenous peoples is complicated and often rarely talked about. The initial Europeans, who were explorers and colonizers, encountered indigenous peoples, and they were mutually curious about one another and engaged in trade. However, as the relationship between the indigenous peoples and colonizers began evolving, the colonizers started to assert their power. They even imposed their way of life on Indigenous people (Austen, 2023).
This behavior by the Europeans, who wanted their values and cultures to be the norm for both of them, led to the suppression of the cultures of the indigenous population, their native languages, and their religions. The Europeans saw Indigenous peoples as primitive, savage, and uncivilized, and the labels often translated into policies and practices that further marginalized Indigenous peoples.
In the Americas, due to colonization, the indigenous peoples were subjected to forced labor, they were displaced from their rightful lands, and genocidal policies were put in place to eliminate their culture and way of life.
When North America was colonized, the Indian Removal Act of 1830 was put in place with the aim of forcefully removing indigenous peoples from their ancestral lands to designated reservations. Due to the action, there were long-term impacts on the people’s physical, social, emotional, and mental health and well-being (Fast & Collin-Vezina, 2019). The impact of colonization on indigenous peoples is still being felt today, and the legacy of colonization remains an ongoing issue.
Indigenous peoples have been subjected to labels and prejudices stemming from a lack of understanding and respect for their culture, language, and way of life. These labels, such as savagery, primitiveness, and tribalism, have been used to describe indigenous people and their cultures, often serving as a justification for their genocide by colonizers.
Suppression of their cultures and imposition of European values and culture persist today, as the labels and prejudices associated with indigenous peoples continue to have a significant impact on their lives. Discrimination, marginalization, and violence are still prevalent, as these labels and prejudices are deeply ingrained in society and reinforced by popular culture, media, and education.
Evolution of Perspectives
There has been an evolving and changing of perspectives about the indigenous people of America, which has been a gradual process taking place over many years. One of the first steps that was taken in order to change the attitudes about the indigenous people was to challenge the labels and prejudices associated with them.
The descriptions of savagery, primitiveness, and tribalism were challenged by activists, scholars, and allies who fought for the rights of the indigenous people. They aimed to promote a more accurate and respectful understanding of the people.
The Civil Rights Movement of the 1960s and 1970s was a turning point in the evolution of attitudes towards Indigenous peoples (Davidson et al., 2023). The movement challenged the institutionalized racism and discrimination perpetrated against African Americans and other marginalized groups. As a result, Indigenous people were challenged to organize and demand their rights.
Additionally, there was a shift in Western society that emphasized respect for diversity and multiculturalism, which coincided with the evolution of perspectives on Indigenous people. The shift recognized Indigenous people as having distinct cultures, and there was respect for their unique languages, histories, and ways of life.
It was an important step towards building a more inclusive and respectful society. Therefore, over time, the labels that were used to describe Indigenous people have evolved and changed. This is a reflection of the changes in the attitudes and beliefs of the previously prejudiced people.
One of the earliest labels that were associated with the indigenous population by the colonizers was the term savages (Dunbar-Ortiz, 2019). It is a term that is used to describe Indigenous people as primitive, uncivilized, and barbaric when compared to their culture, which they saw as sophisticated and enlightened.
The term was used in their justification for why they colonized, enslaved, and suppressed the population. It was also used to justify why they thought their culture and way of life were more suitable than that of the already existing area. Due to this, there was a rise in racial stereotypes, which perpetuated the idea that indigenous peoples were inferior to Europeans in every way.
During the late 19th and early 20th centuries, attitudes towards Indigenous peoples shifted. The term primitive, which was previously used to describe them, began to be replaced by the term tribal. This term was used to describe Indigenous peoples. It meant that they were distinct and self-contained communities with their own social and cultural traditions (Davidson et al., 2023).
Although the term tribal was an improvement over savages, which was previously used, it was still seen as a reinforcement of the idea that indigenous peoples were different from and inferior to European society (Austen, 2023). It also failed to acknowledge the diversity of Indigenous cultures and the complex ways in which these cultures were adapting to changing circumstances.
Recently, people preferred to use the indigenous or First Nations to refer to these populations (Bil, 2022). The terms indigenous and First Nations are preferred since they acknowledge the distinct cultural identities and histories of indigenous peoples while also recognizing their equal status as members of a global community.
However, despite the progress that has been made in recent years through activism and the teaching of diversity and cultures, a lot of people still believe in outdated stereotypes and beliefs about Indigenous people. Due to this, there are still cases of inequalities and injustices that the minority receives due to these beliefs.
Therefore, it is very important to study the evolution of attitudes towards indigenous peoples. This will help to shed light on the complex historical and cultural factors that have shaped these attitudes. When people understand the historical context in which these attitudes developed, they can gain a better understanding of how the perceptions of indigenous peoples today are still being influenced by the existing attitudes (Bil, 2022).
A study on the evolution of attitudes towards Indigenous peoples can help identify and challenge harmful stereotypes and beliefs that are still being perpetuated (Dunbar-Ortiz, 2019). It can also help develop more effective strategies for addressing the challenges faced by Indigenous peoples today.
Understanding the historical context and the root causes of these challenges can lead to the development of more informed approaches to address them. For example, when the ongoing impact of colonization and displacement is recognized, Indigenous people can be supported to reclaim their culture, language, and land rights.
Conclusion
From what we have seen during the research, the labels and perspectives associated with Indigenous peoples have evolved due to various factors. These factors include politics, economics, and different people’s goals. The labels and perspectives have been a cause of major systemic barriers and difficulties for Indigenous peoples.
Therefore, it is essential to study the evolution of attitudes towards indigenous peoples in order to equip oneself with an understanding of their needs and concerns. It can be done by considering the context in which these attitudes were formed and the people who formed them.
An understanding of the impact of historical events on Indigenous peoples’ physical, social, emotional, and mental health and well-being is also critical. This understanding is necessary in order to create a more just and inclusive society. When there are lessons about the history, experiences, and culture of Indigenous peoples, there is an increase in empathy, acceptance, and respect for those people.
There has also been a rise in how the indigenous population is understood and supported in their struggles to maintain their culture, protect their rights, and combat injustice. This paper aimed to shed light on the evolution of attitudes and labels associated with indigenous peoples, the causes of these labels, and their impact on indigenous peoples today.
References
Austen, I. (2023). Canada settles $2 billion suit over ‘cultural genocide’ at residential schools. The New York Times. Web.
Bil, G. (2022). Book Review: Savage Kin: Indigenous Informants and American Anthropologists. AlterNative: An International Journal of Indigenous Peoples, 18(2), 320–321. Web.
Davidson, T., Miller, N. P., & Day, B. (2023). Primitive or empowered: representations of Native Americans and COVID-19 in news media. Communication Quarterly, 71(1), 43-63. Web.
Dunbar-Ortiz, R. (2019). The international indigenous peoples’ movement: A site of anti-racist struggle against capitalism. Racism after apartheid: Challenges for Marxism and anti-racism, 30-48. Web.
Fast, E., & Collin-Vezina, D. (2019). Historical trauma, race-based trauma, and resilience of indigenous peoples: A Literature Review. First Peoples Child & Family Review, 14(1), 166-181. Web.