Native American
 

Well, this is not about politics but culture. We grew up with those westerns where Indians were the worst on Earth, later came films like Dances with Wolves. I think nowadays the situation of American Indian is really poor -surely without any guilt- with great problems of alcoholism in the reserves. Anyway, could someone write if there is some kind of Indian tour or tours along the US? Don't know if in Dakota, Oregon-Washington-Vancouver coastal area, Navajo's land in four states or somewhere in Northeast (NY, Vermont, Quebec bordering area, maybe?), there are organized native associations who offer... tours, craft, explications of their culture (dances, lnaguage, custums, dress...), museums, or whatever. Can someone suggest or give advice?

Sure, tours are given at all our casinos. Just bring money.

Very few Indian tribes have casinos. I think a lot depends on their location to big cities. <BR> <BR>But there are many more Native Americans living in incredible poverty. I have been on pueblos that look like they belong in third world countries. <BR> <BR>As Dick Gregory once said, "Only the white man could discover a country that's already occupied". <BR> <BR>Rene', in answer to your question, many pueblos in the Southwest( especially New Mexico) offer tours or otherewise open themselves up as tourist attractions just to make a few dollars <BR> <BR>PS. Native Americans don't celebratte Columbus Day

I know Native Americans (from Argntina to Alaska) have few to celebrate on Columbus Day, and many to denounce.

You white-man bashers should read a pre-columbian history book. Many native tribes were quite willing to (and did)extirminate nearby tribes. The new world was hardly a peaceful eden.

There are many different Native American tribes that may have totally different lifestyles and economics from one another even to this day. Because of this it is complicated and basically incorrect to generalize about what "most" Native Americans own or don't own. There are Native Americans in Minnesota that are millionaires from casino, fish & wild rice rights etc. but you would never know it as the lifestyle that they may aspire to does not show it. Many Native Americans become assimilated by virtue of intermarriage or sometimes just from their own career path etc. If you are really interested in Native Americans- you would study their culture and their history and the present opportunities that they have to overcome some of their bitter past- like supporting the anti-fetal alcohol syndrome educational campaign and/or giving support for Native languages, so that the remaining speakers can keep them alive. There are wonderful places in New Mexico where you can be included in certain tribal cultural events that are still authentic. BUT in some of them you have to be invited. I believe that that may be true in the Northwest also. You can also tour many pre-history sites and present Native American tribal lands (if you contact each beforehand as they may have individual times etc. that they think are appropriate for visitors.) <BR> <BR>Diseases from Europe killed more Native Americans (Hawaiians also) than any other factor. If you really, truly study the Native American you will enjoy a rich and varied history and legacy that includes almost all kinds of behavior including slavery, and ritualized torture- as well as sublime religious experience and thought. To make such blame, blame statements is like villifing the Wright brothers for all the airplane accidents that have ever occurred.

Are those languages still alive? I've heard the Navajos do keep their language more or less alive, but I thought the remaining had died out or had only some elderly speakers (let's say 10 or a couple of dozens). In Europe this year have been declared "Year of the minorized languages", and there is a special sensibilty for them (BAsque, Gaelic, Frisian, SAmi...). Although, it must be recognized, those lesser used language speakers' were as well among the first Europeans who made the Native American genocides. Are there language policies, medias (radio, TV, press...), books or whatever regarded to DAkota, Navajo or Mohawk, for instance?

Is a painful situation in my state. From birth, Natives (to about 1/16) get so many things free -- medicine, housing, food, school supplies, education -- and it seems like it's all squandered. Alcohol isn't the only problem disease; diabetes is running rampant. <BR>

It looks interesting. Do you remember where -exaclty- happened the riots in Quebec some 10 years ago?

Nobody does go on with this interesting theme?

I think the site of Custer's last stand (Little Big Horn) in Montana is a wonderful place.

Elderhostel has a wonderful week-long program on the Navajo people at San Juan College in Farmington N.Mex. Also read Tony Hillerman books before you go. Elderhostel also has many other programs in NM and AZ. While on the "rez" tune in to KNDN-AM and hear the great Navajo language spoken all day long. Just go and enjoy learning about different customs and history in stunning country and be sure to collect some of the artists' weaving and jewelry. You can learn a lot by driving around and going to museums and talking to people. Wonderful Navajo, Zuni, Hopi, Acoma American citizens.

I'm not sure about the citizen thing, unless you mean North America. But even with that definition they don't think of regional division in that way. In Minnesota and the upper Midwest I was lead to understand that they do not consider themselves USA citizens, as much as citizens of their own tribe or tribal lands. Innuit in Alaska and Canada might also possibly feel this way. I have seen films of Innuit language programs and I know that this language is trying to survive. <BR>Many of the Wisconsin and eastern USA tribes do have casinos. As a kid in the 50's I would see "authentic" Native American dances at the Dells. They were really different, and now I wonder if they were authentic or not- and how they feel about using these skills for tourist entertainment. Starved Rock on the Illinois River is only one reminder of the Native American past in my area. You look at it, and can visualize 200 years ago and almost feel their spirits' presence. Cohokia Mounds in the Southern part of Illinois is also worth a visit, especially if you like pre-history or have interest in archeology. The mound builders left remnants all over Illinois and Missouri.