Native Americans vs Government
The government’s promises have long started to crumble between their fingers.
“Today, the government continues to deny indigenous people access to decent healthcare and housing as well as their basic right to make decisions over their own land.”
With so much tension between the indigenous and the U.S. government, murder, and unstable lifestyles, hate, riots, and chaos have long removed trust between the indigenous and the government. The cruel murder of Raymond Mattia from border patrol sparks lawsuit after lawsuit between two countries and a family. Life has become hell, with lousy healthcare, uncanny homes to live in, and more torture for the Natives daily. The government’s promises have long started to crumble between their fingers. The final nail in the coffin was the land the government seized and now tried to repay.
The most powerful thing this essay will explore is how badly the government is towards the natives. But what damaging tactics has the government been using to control the indigenous people?
Historically, the murder of Native Americans was temporarily legalized with few criminal charges, representing how they were viewed by the U.S. government as second-class citizens. In addition, land seizures and false promises of cooperation have destroyed trust between the U.S. government and Native Americans. Today, the government continues to deny indigenous people access to decent healthcare and housing as well as their basic right to make decisions over their own land.
When Christopher Columbus first met the Native Americans, he immediately unleashed a fleet of new destructive and ferocious illnesses. “The major killers include smallpox, measles, whooping cough, chicken pox, bubonic plague, typhus, and malaria” (Kellogg). Soon in 1609, the British and the indigenous people began to fight but the natives were soon forced to evacuate. Until 1609 relations with the English were peaceful.
When white leaders attempted to dictate unfavorable terms of trade and colonization, the Powhatan chieftain retaliated by withholding corn, and war broke out. By 1611 the English had forced all native peoples out of their immediate area” (Encyclopedia). Soon, the natives got their first taste of mercy when the government signs a treaty. “The United States signed its first treaty with the Delaware Tribe in 1778. Power to declare war and make treaties derives from Articles I and II of the United States Constitution” (Howard). While the government occasionally shows kindness, however, colonizers constantly harmed the natives.
As time progressed, many terrible things happened, such as, murder and harassment, loss of cultures and lower quality of life. One situation where there was lots of harm caused to the Cherokees was in 1838 because some tribes signed treaties allowing the government to harm the Cherokees. “In 1838, as the deadline for removal approached, thousands of federal soldiers and Georgia volunteers entered the territory and forcibly relocated the Cherokees, some hunting, imprisoning, assaulting, and murdering Cherokees during the process. On this 12,000-mile trek, 6,000 Cherokees died, nearly 35% of the population. 30 years later, another incident occurred which caused cultures, families, mental health and more to be lost“ (LOC).
As documented in the Merriam Report of 1928, “Native Americans on and off reservations were left destitute and prone to suicide, alcoholism and mental illness; housing and health conditions were abysmal. Cultures, languages and families were lost” (Minority Rights). 7.1% of the Native American population, which is roughly 85,200 people, suffers from alcoholism and mental illness. Natives have tougher and shorter lives, experience more unemployment, and get paid nearly half of what the average American earns.
Currently, one in three Native Americans live in poverty with a median income of $23,000. “Unemployment for Native Americans in 2022 was 11.1 percent, well above the national average. Moreover, the Covid-19 pandemic hit the Native American population hard as poverty, crowded living conditions and lack of access to health care led to mortality rates that were nearly three times as high as other American groups” (Bridgewater). The lower quality of life and second class citizen treatment has greatly devastated the lives of many indigenous people.
Even though the government has abused, harassed, and murdered many Indigenous people, they, and many other communities, have begun to repay the Native Americans after the natives began to show what they demanded, and what they got in return was money, land, and protection. The natives also gave a list of their expectations of what they demanded from the president. Some of which are housing, education and healthcare. “Native American demands for civil rights and access to quality housing, education and health care are founded not just in the moral duty to treat all people equal” (Washington Post). This shows us what the natives are lacking and what they may be able to get if they keep persisting with requests.
After the government had seen the demands, the government obliged and now owes the indigenous people things such as land and assets. “This means the US is obligated to protect tribal lands, assets, and resources as well as honor the rights established in treaties with the tribes” (USA Facts). The government now owes many things to indigenous people, like land resources and more. The government now owes many things to indigenous people, like land resources and more.
“The United States has undertaken a unique trust responsibility to protect and support Tribal Nations and their citizens through treaties, statutes, and historical relations with Tribal Nations… recognized Tribal Nations and their citizens—including the Bureau of Indian Affairs (BIA), the Bureau of Indian Education (BIE), and the Indian Health Service (IHS)” (GAO). It is now known that the government branches (BIA, BIE, IHS) have chosen to donate to indigenous people. Even though the US has terrorized over many indigenous native tribes, the US is beginning to return all that was stolen.
The United States has taken various steps to address injustices against Native Americans, including presidential-level changes, stripping medals from individuals responsible for massacres, and pursuing the return of items looted from the Wounded Knee massacre. Soon, President Biden gave the indigenous people thousands of acres of land protected by law. “In October 2021, President Joe Biden used executive orders to protect 1.36 million acres in Bears Ears - slightly larger than the original boundary that Obama established. The orders also reversed Trump's cuts to the 1.87 million-acre Grand Staircase-Escalante monument. And they reestablished the Bears Ears Commission, which comprises one elected officer from each of the five tribes.”
The US Congress admits that giving out these medals for this heinous deed was a mistake. “Representative Dusty Johnson, a South Dakota Republican, said in a statement that Congress understood that it was a mistake toward the medal to those who took part in the massacre. Mr. Johnson's statement said he asked the Army in 2019 about starting a formal review but was told that only the president had the power to do so.” Soon, a law was passed saying that any museum or such who owns indigenous property has to return it.
“That same year, Congress passed the Native American Graves Protection and Repatriation Act, requiring museums and institutions that receive federal funding to return any American Indian remains or objects to their rightful owners.” The prevention of keeping Indigenous property is now illegal and those who do own it will be punished if returning the items is not done. After many counts of abuse, murder, harassment and lies, the government has returned stolen land, money, property and protected lots of that with the power of the law.
The history of Native Americans is one of tragedy and hope. From mass murders in the 1800s to the denial of daily necessities in the present day, the United States has long abused Native Americans’ rights to land, money, and healthcare. The government still harms many natives, but less injustice occurs because many people have raised awareness about the natives’ struggles. With the support of many activists, government branches are able to finally start the path towards justice.
