Introduction
Reservations fluctuate radically in terms of population, culture, political economy, and traditions. Although the fluctuation occurred, all the reservations share an analogous origin history. They faced similar persistent challenges, such as poverty.
Many families lived below the poverty line in the reservations, which were also accompanied by other challenges, such as poor healthcare. Addiction to different drugs also hindered their growth in these reservations. Many individuals were corrupted by drug abuse and alcoholism brought about by the European colonialists. The Indian reservations, commonly known as the reservations of the U.S., are managed by the federal Bureau of Indian Affairs in cooperation with a tribal government. These reservations vary based on their traditions, culture, political economy, population, and size.
Historical Causes of Poverty on Indian Reservations
Loss of Properties to the Federal Government
Native Americans had, on no account, control over their own possessions even though the Bureau of Indian Affairs had been established. The leaders undervalued Native American resources, making them uncountable of what they possessed. Their assets were mismanaged and dumped by the state without any support. Properties that these Native Americans owned remain dormant due to interruption by the federal government (Sleeter et al. 91).
Multimillion-dollar properties were lost to the state due to a lack of recognition. This greatly locked the Native Americans in poverty and denied them their own independence. They did not have the self-possession they needed, hence lacked the opportunities to release the tremendous treasure. Many people struggled to survive the challenges but were unable to meet their demands.
Poor Education System
Poverty among the Indian reservation was mainly due to laws and policies that were eradicated. The American government contributed a high percentage to the economic value of these natives. The Indian Removal Act forced native Americans west in 1830 to divide tribes onto reservations (Gossop 110).
Education had not been excluded, as this was the main spring that could change the lives of these natives. They were subjected to an unconducive environment, leading to an increase in school dropouts. This included being kidnapped and forced to attend boarding school, and not being allowed to speak their own language. Its main aim was to destroy their sense of any tribal identity. Their parents were also intimidated by the government to send their children to American schools to abolish their traditional culture.
Boarding schools hurt the lives of Native Americans. Children were not allowed to speak their mother tongue. Their spirits of courage were removed as children were subjected to corporal chastisement, causing them to suffer much (Short 39). Others were sexual abuse, and children could not cope with many of these conditions. Others died, as others could drop out of school.
The primary objective was to destroy their culture, thereby preventing it from being inherited by future generations. The small cultural activities, such as religious rituals, were only inherited but, under the rule of law, had undergone drastic changes (Abramovitz 31). The low education system was presented in their reservations for a very long time, suppressing their state of being.
Structural and Cultural Racism
Racism played a significant role in contributing to the challenges faced by these people. In the early 19th century, only one religion dominated the state. Most people were forced to adopt a single religion, which was Christianity. Indians felt that they did not have any right to worship according to their beliefs, hence portraying an image of the government. This refuted their freedom of worship and forced them to be converted to Christianity (Sleeter et al. 71).
Any attempt by any person to go against this distressing law was faced with a jail term, and every individual was forcefully converted to the American religion. They were summoned to participate in American societies without their consent. Regarding how others treated them, life expectancy, health, and wealth were much inferior to those of white Americans (Abramovitz 65). Structural racism, on the other hand, was manifested through mutual reinforcement of the criminal justice, healthcare, media, credit, benefits, earnings, employment, education, and housing based on an individual’s race. These patterns later reinforced the discriminatory distribution of resources, values, and beliefs.
Current Causes of Poverty on Indian Reservations
Low Economic Development
The government played a significant role in most of the challenges experienced in the Indian reservations. The ruling government controlled most of the economic development on these reservations. The colonialist government should have approved any project that arose. This process was and is a highly complex procedure and slow, hence taking a longer time for even companies owned by Indians to be approved (Sleeter et al. 56). At any time, the government decided to shut down these companies and any development if not served with the information needed. This has demoralized people, subjecting them to further poverty beyond the red line.
Addiction to Drugs
Colonization has impacted Native Americans negatively in terms of drug abuse. Before being colonized, these people were exposed to a feeble brew mainly for ceremonial purposes. Upon the arrival of colonialists, large amounts of alcohol were brought by these people. Native Americans could obtain distilled spirits and wine in exchange for many basic resources they needed. With no regulations in the market and encouragement by traders, heavy alcohol consumption has increased rapidly among the Native Americans (Gossop 118).
This problem has advanced rapidly among these communities, commencing a new model of generation for substantial consumption of alcohol. It was not restricted to the colonialists, but also to the native soldiers, miners, and others who interacted with the community as they were governed. This eventually instigated an immense decline in physical health problems, economic status, and even emotional mayhem experienced by these people.
Drugs and alcohol abuse among the natives have caused the development of many diseases, which have hindered their health status. As this has increased, many have not had access to medical support. The then-ruling government discriminated against them during that era to eradicate their presence in the nation. This has resulted in many fatalities among the Indians (Sleeter et al. 52). This effect has been inherited, which has affected much of their population. Indians’ reservations do not have equal chances of access to healthcare during the current COVID-19 pandemic. Case fatalities reported in this reservation are high due to inadequate healthcare.
Overview of Land Grabbing and Murder on Reservations
Indians’ living standard was drastically reduced as they were forcefully ejected from productive land. They were driven to areas that were unfit for agricultural production. They were unable to access sufficient land for farming activities. These areas also lacked access to water, which ultimately led to a deterioration in living standards (Gossop 118). The United States government reduced the amount of food being supplied to these areas. Many individuals suffered a significant loss due to these conditions.
Upon the passing of the Indian Removal Act, many Indians were forcefully relocated to the western part of the country. The relocation began and continued for a long time. This took place during harmful seasons, and many Indians perished on their way. Hunger and diseases wiped out many of them as they escaped the ruling government. The military forced people who went against the rule, and many others were killed (Short 89).
The areas that they were also relocated to were used as a dumping site for harmful chemicals such as nuclear waste, subjecting them to exposure to radioactive materials. Many were being terminated, aiming to eradicate their tribe. The government also carried out harmful events to chase them out of the eastern land, such as scorching the earth (Leonard 27).
As they moved, many who fell behind were shot to death. Americans took advantage of this land, accelerating the country’s development. They enhanced their economic growth, thereby contributing to the foundation of the American national spirit. Many Indians faced extinction due to a declining population.
Possible Solutions
Many Indian Native Americans were murdered, and the federal government stole their land in the name of colonialism in the late 1700s. For instance, in the year 1776, leaders of the US government treated Native Americans with the belief of white supremacy and superiority (Abramovitz 67). This was set with the aim of eliminating the Indian race through different massacres and killings.
During wars, Indian native leaders were eager to transform their farming economy as an adjunct to European colonialism and expand their boundaries (Short 17). However, their lands were later stolen, and they were unable to engage in farming, which would have helped alleviate the poverty levels that prevailed at the time. Many attacks were also launched against the Indian race, killing many civilians, officials, and seizing their land.
The United States Army contributed much to the growth of poverty and the eradication of the Indians. Armies were instructed to launch diverse confrontations in many regions that the Indians owned. Among the missions was a war against the Native Americans in 1813.
Soldiers attacked the Creek Indians during the Horseshoe Bend war in their territory. Many troopers who were Creek were killed as they fought to defend their independence. This largely contributed to the weakening of native strength and their efforts to achieve freedom.
The 1864 mission by Pastor John Chivington resulted in the deaths of many of the Indians. Those who opposed the law of the land agreement were killed. Women and children were beheaded whenever they demonstrated in the streets (Abramovitz 47). This was the most crucial attempt by the state on civilians who were not American citizens.
The federal government has been criticized for the broken promises they have made to the Indian Native American Indians. However, the United States government has continually ignored the criticism. Many Native Americans are victims of these genocide missions, such as the California killings (Short 127). The stealing of the Indian Americans’ land and the attempt to wipe out cultural activities were coined around colonialism. The media has been at hand to air this to be heard.
Some individuals have been called to witness documentaries on the reflections of genocidal missions. Many attempts to admit to these missions have been publicized from various perspectives. The resolution has been passed to apologize for the events against the Indian race (Abramovitz 65). The federal government’s reflection on this event has not officially admitted that this many attempts to wipe out native Americans were an act of genocide.
However, efforts should be made to improve the living standards of these Indians and overcome the previous mistakes that were made. For instance, Different organizations should be formed to investigate the challenges being faced in the Indian reservations. Initially, some organizations were established to investigate these challenges and propose potential solutions. This included one non-profit organization formed in South Dakota (Abramovitz 57).
The organization provided firewood and food to many people on the Pine Ridge reservation to overcome poverty and low economic development. Their solution helped eliminate many food and health problems that were being faced on the reservation. The organization provided fresh food that was produced locally.
The program also aimed to revive the Indians’ traditional culture and diet through a campaign to reintroduce the buffalo. This significantly provided opportunities for meat-processing plants and food to needy families. This significantly improved their standard of living and alleviated the food problem, which had been a significant issue. Many health issues were also resolved.
Other organizations, such as global volunteers, were set to resolve issues related to discrimination by the federal government. Many volunteers were sent yearly to the Rosebud Reservation to help chop and pack firewood for use during the winter and refurbish houses that had been damaged (Short 92). They also focused on food insecurity, as most food was transported into the reservation. Young, energetic children may receive only one healthy meal per day (Short 127). This organization made significant improvements in the quality of life on the reservation.
The American Rescue Plan Act has also provided funding to Native American communities to combat the current pandemic (Short 98). Reducing poverty on this reservation was a significant challenge, but the organization’s success has shown a positive outlook for the future eradication of poverty. These organizations are working to meet their goals within this reservation and improve the standard of living for the residents.
Concerning education, Indian children who have reached the maximum age for attending school should be sent to boarding schools. Younger children should attend community schools to be trained near their homes. Suggestions should be made to ensure the children are taught enough knowledge and skills about their traditions (Short 114). This will help preserve their culture for future generations. Such an approach will ensure that their culture lives through their children.
Conclusion
In conclusion, many heinous acts that were done subjected Native Americans to poverty, addiction, and low living standards beyond the red line. Many genocide missions that the federal government launched resulted in many fatalities. Cultural activities, denial, and other missions aimed to wipe out this group due to their race. They were forced out of their land, which provided an infertile region unsuitable for farming. These areas had no access to government resources, including quality healthcare.
Works Cited
Abramovitz, Mimi. Regulating the Lives of Women: Social Welfare Policy from Colonial Times to the Present. Routledge, 2017. Web.
Gossop, Michael. Living with Drugs. Routledge, 2017. Web.
Leonard, Irving A. Books of the Brave: Being an Account of Books and of Men in the Spanish Conquest and Settlement of the Sixteenth-century New World. California University Press, 2022.
Short, James F. Poverty, Ethnicity, and Violent Crime. Routledge, 2018. Web.
Sleeter, Christine E., and Carl A. Grant. Race, Class, Gender, and Disability in Current Textbooks. The Politics of the Textbook. Routledge, 2017. Web.