Introduction
Native Americans are people from nations that are dependent domestically and these nations are to be found within the boundaries of the United States of America. Although these people live within the boundaries of America, they have distinctly organized themselves and this organization sets them apart from the rest of the groups in America.
The People
Native Americans have subdivided themselves into tribes and this is what they use to identify themselves. Initially, Native Americans were not granted citizenship in America. This went on until the year 1924 when the first bunch of Native Americans was given citizenship. Despite being granted citizenship; some states did not recognize the legal rights of these people until much later in the 1940s.
There are more than 500 locations that the federal government of America has set aside for occupation by Native Americans. (Pritzker, 2005). In these areas, leaders of Native Americans are allowed to produce laws and regulations that govern their people. They are also allowed to initiate public services and taxes. They are however not allowed to form their military, nor are they allowed to have their currency. Therefore, Native Americans are said to be citizens of America who live on government property which the federal governments hold on their behalf in trust.
Place (geopolitical or phenomenological)
Within the boundaries that the government has designated for Native Americans, it is required that these people will not engage in any activities that will bring about interference with the activities of the federal government. The setting aside of the tribal lands where Native Americans stay is seen as if this group of people has been accorded independence. However, the fact that Native Americans are still subjected to the rules that non-tribal citizens are subjected to means that there is not much in terms of freedom for Native Americans.
Social interactions, common interests, and goals of Native Americans
Native Americans are one of the few groups the world over with a rich culture that has managed to stand the test of modernity. The history of this group of people is characterized by stories of strife, struggle, and victory. These people have had to fight tooth and nail while claiming their rights in a country that had denied them recognition for a long time.
Assumptions
Pretty much of what is considered modern in the world today are old concepts that were borrowed from Native American society. (Kidwell & Velie, 2005) Most of the symbols that are used today and are said to be inventions of some great organization are all borrowed from this society. The Native Americans were hunters and gatherers, and they would sometimes engage in the planting of crops. Totem poles formed a very significant part of the life of these people. The Native Americans have high reverence for animals as they believed that every person had the spirit of an animal within them.
Native Americans also used smoke as the main form of communication so that if one sees smoke in the air, they would that a certain message was being communicated and the message originated from where the smoke came from.
Conclusion
The tussle between the federal government of America and Native Americans has continued for long as the latter was seeking recognition. This tension seems to have eased with the government setting aside some designated areas for these people and also allowing them to run their lives as they best, please. The only condition is that whatever provisions they produce should not interfere with the laws of the federal government.
References
Kidwell, C.S. & Velie, A.R. (2005) Native American Studies. Edinburgh: Edinburgh University Press.
Pritzker, B. (2000) A Native American encyclopedia: history, culture, and peoples. Michigan: Oxford University Press.