Structural Functionalist Themes in “Black Elk Speaks”
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This is a 5 page paper discussing structural functionalism in relation to themes presented in “Black Elk Speaks”. “Black Elk Speaks” as told through John G. Neihardt portrays several social and religious aspects of the Sioux while they are faced with their own destruction by the invasion of the white men. Black Elk, a holy man, provides commentary on the structure of the individuals within his own tribe through a vision he has which includes himself, all the levels in his tribe, all the men, women, children, warriors and the spirits of their ancestors. This vision and faith in their structure allows Black Elk and his tribe hope in their negotiations with the intrusion of the white man. Structural functionalism also deals with the evolution of social and religious forces which shape social and religious roles within a community and the slow religious transition and inclusion of the Catholic Mission into the lives of the Sioux allows for Black Elk as a religious leader to promote the cohesiveness of his tribe while remaining within the restrictive new laws of the country. Bibliography lists 5 sources.
Filename: TJNBElk1.rtf

Suicide Among Canadian Aboriginal Youths: Rates, Causes, and Solutions
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This is a 10 page paper discussing the high rate of suicide among Canadian Aboriginal youths and the possible causes and solutions to the problems. The suicide rate among Canadian Aboriginals living on reservations is more than twice the Canadian average of non-Aboriginals with the largest rate recorded for young Native males. Half the Native communities living in the Northern areas of Canada report suicide as one of the major problems in their community. The causes for the high rates of suicides among Aboriginals seem to relate to the historical treatment of the Natives which through the Canadian government’s attempt at assimilation, the Aboriginals lost ties with their traditional ways of healing and self-government and eventually the means to remain economically stable. These factors led to a high unemployment rate, overcrowding and poor sanitary conditions among many other negative factors which in turn led to an increase in the number of mental and physical disorders such as depression, and alcohol and substance abuse. Within the last decade, several reports from the Royal Commission on Aboriginal Peoples and other Aboriginal-based task forces have outlined possible positive solutions for the recovery of the Aboriginal communities which will hopefully reverse the high suicide rates. Bibliography lists 6 sources.
Filename: TJftnat1.rtf

Suicide And The Native American
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Native Americans are not culturally predisposed to suicide. They are, however, at high risk for suicide as a result of both social and physical factors. This 5 page paper explores a number of different factors that contribute to the high rate of suicide among Native Americans. Bibliography lists 9 sources.
Filename: KTindian.wps

Summary and Critical Analysis of Arthur J. Ray’s article “Fur Trade History as an Aspect of Native History”
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This is a 3 page paper discussing Arthur J. Ray’s article “Fur Trade History as an Aspect of Native History”. Arthur J. Ray’s article “Fur Trade History as an Aspect of Native History”, presents the reader with an alternative perspective in regards to the fur trade and the relationship between the Natives and the Europeans in early Canadian history. While Ray does not deny the Europeans exploited the Natives throughout history, he nevertheless presents an argument which suggests the possibility that the Natives were not “unintelligent” in their trading methods and indeed controlled a great deal of the competition and the quality of the merchandise traded through the Hudson’s Bay Company. Ray presents good examples and documentation from the 18th century which provides good evidence for his argument, however economically it is clear that despite the important roles the Natives played in the onset of the process, the Europeans nevertheless overcome the influence of the Natives negating most of the argument proposed by Ray. Bibliography lists 1 source.
Filename: TJfurtr1.rtf

Taos Indians Struggle To Retain Their Sacred Land
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A 6 page paper on Gordon & McCutchen's "Taos Indians & The Battle For Blue Lake"-- a work documenting the struggle that the Taos Indians endured against the U.S. Government in attempting to win back the rights to their sacred land. The courageous spirit of this inspirational group is praised and commentary on the socio-political problems they solved is analyzed. No other sources cited.
Filename: Taosbook.wps

Tayo’s Healing Process in “Ceremony” by Leslie Marmon Silko
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This is a 5 page paper discussing the process of healing of the character Tayo in the novel “Ceremony” by Leslie Marmon Silko. Through Tayo’s interactions with three of main characters in the novel, namely Ku’oosh, Montano and Betonie, Tayo is able to understand that not only do the white man medicines not work on Tayo but neither do the traditional healing ceremonies work on the modern Pueblo Indian as demonstrated by Ku’oosh. Montano teaches Tayo the power of natural elements in his healing process but it is not until Tayo meets Betonie, the modern day medicine man does he realize that it is the fusion of traditional and modern day elements that make the strongest healing regimen. Bibliography lists 3 sources.
Filename: TJTayos1.rtf

Tecumseh’s “War”
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This 5 page report discusses the 18th and early 19th century Shawnee leader who attempted to create a “pan-Indian” coalition that could work as a confederation of mutual support and defense in order to protect the lands and indigenous peoples against the white pioneers moving west across the Appalachian mountains. In terms of the question of whether or not Tecumseh’s “war” could possibly have been won, the writer of this report argues that it could not. Bibliography lists 4 sources.
Filename: BWtecums.rtf

The "Discovery" of America: Roots of Racism in Native American Society
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A 3 page paper tracing the rampant racism which continues to target Native American people and culture to the concept of a European "discovery" of this continent. Emphasizes that although this continent and its people were very much in existence at the time of the supposed European "discovery" the mindset which was behind that concept has persisted and the result has been continued racism against Native Americans. Bibliography lists one source.
Filename: PPnaDisc.wps

The Algonquin
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This 5 page paper provides an overview of this group of Indian tribes which live in upper North America. Several variables are discussed inclusive of shamanism, land rights, language, art and history. Bibliography lists 9 sources.
Filename: SA302A.rtf

The American Indian Minority Student.
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(36 pp). Although the motivating question for this discussion was to examine those factors, which motivate minority students, in choosing to look at American Indian students, I was surprised that I could not isolate "motivating factors" for this minority group. It seemed illogical that any given group would be too small for motivation. Then I began to wonder if the idea of "motivation" is in accurate. What if motivation is a cultural assumption that does not apply to this minority group? If that is true, than a "western" definition of motivation would be applied to a group of people, for whom the concept was or is erroneous, and it would appear that the group would be then doomed to fail, in relationship to that definition. That is not to say that certain individuals might be self-motivated, or motivated by a relative. However as a group generality, that did not seem to be the case. The author continues to look at motivation in a cultural light in reference to educational needs. Bibliography lists 20 sources.
Filename: BBincled.doc

The Anasazi of the Great Basin
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A 16 page paper discussing the history and fate of the Anasazi, ancestors of the Pueblos occupying the American Southwest for a period of time measured in thousands of years. The Anasazi disappeared abruptly, however, in the 13th century. Investigation points to drought, but some researchers believe that the Anasazi committed environmental missteps that eventually led to their demise. The paper traces some of the early cultural changes, discusses the water cycle and presents results of research focusing on and Anasazi. Bibliography lists 17 sources.
Filename: KSanasazi.rtf

The Apaches
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An 11 page overview of the Apache people as they existed after contact with non-Natives. Recalls the tremendous pressures which were exerted on the people and the retaliations of men like Geronimo. Concludes, however, that the Apache only for their expertise in warfare, and indeed for only that particular time in history, is an injustice to their culture. Bibliography lists 10 sources.
Filename: Napache.wps

The Aztecs and Cortez’s Spanish Conquistadors: Conquest or Colonization?
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A 28 page overview of the Spanish conquest and colonization of the Aztec people of central Mexico. Emphasizes the radical differences in cultural viewpoints between these two people, particularly their differences in regard to the use of natural resources. Notes that despite the obvious atrocities committed by Spain, and by men like Hernando Cortez in particular, many still question whether Cortez conquered the Aztecs or whether the events which unfolded were simply a matter of Spain colonizing Mexico. Concludes that not only did Cortez actually conquer the Aztec, he did so in an exceedingly cruel and relentless manner and he did so under the guise of colonization. Bibliography lists 24 sources.
Filename: PPnaCrtz.wps

The Black Hills: The Oglala Sioux Land Claim
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A 3 page consideration of the contras that has existed between the Oglala Sioux's regard for the Black Hills and the U.S. government's regard for the region. The Black Hills of South Dakota are a sacred place for the Oglala Sioux. They are also a highly valuable place from an economic perspective and are thus the subject of considerable dissension between the Oglala and the non-Natives that are struggling to control them. Bibliography lists 2 sources.
Filename: PPnaBlHl.rtf

The Blackfeet
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A 10 page overview of the Blackfeet. Provides historical information from the eighteenth century onward including specific information regarding subsistence patterns and ceremonies such as the Sun Dance and the Shaking Tent Ceremony, as well as contemporary population numbers. Bibliography lists 11 sources.
Filename: Blckfoot.wps

The Case Against Leonard Peltier
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This paper explores the Leonard Peltier murder case from all perspectives, focusing on the following: leonardpeltier.org, noparolepeltier.com, U.S. v. Peltier, the FBI's defense, Robert Redford and Michael Apted's film, and various other critics and commentators on the incident. Sections include intro, background, Peltier's case, FBI case, and the court case. Bibliography lists 13 sources. JVpelter.rtf
Filename: JVpelter.rtf

The Cherokee: A Brief History and Insight into Their Culture
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An 8 page overview of the culture and history of this American Indian group. The author emphasizes that today the Cherokee, in many ways, are little different from mainstream While culture in the United States. They have, in fact, assimilated almost completely into that culture. At the time of contact with non-Natives, however, there were often substantial differences between Cherokee and White culture. These differences translated into rocky relationships between the Cherokee and the United States government, relationships which eventually resulted in the forced removal of most of the Cherokee from their homelands, the establishment of a government reservation for the people, and the separation of the nation into two distinctly different political units. Bibliography lists 8 sources.
Filename: PPnaCHgv.rtf