The Native American Story: Native American Indian History
Native Americans, the original inhabitants of American land prior to the arrival of Christopher Columbus in 1492, consisted of hundreds of different tribes. Over five hundred and fifty Native American tribal governments are currently recognized by the United States. There are approximately 300 reservations and 2.5 million Native Americans.The Native American Story: Native American Indians Today
The fight to preserve tribal sovereignty (tribal sovereignty - a tribes' right to govern themselves, define their membership, manage tribal property, and regulate tribal business and domestic relations) and treaty rights remains at the heart of the Native American civil rights struggle. There is an uneasy relationship between Native American tribal government and the federal government - which is obligated to protect tribal lands and resources, tribal rights to self-government, and to provide services that will support the Native American's survival and advancement.In the U.S., Native Americans are a "minority" racial group, and as such, they continue to face discrimination. In fact, prior to the civil rights laws, once could find three separate drinking fountains labeled "Whites," "Colored" and "Indian" in certain states. Movie theaters were similarly split into three separate sections.
As a result of Native American Indian history, many suffer from the same social and economic challenges as other victims of long-term bias and discrimination. Such challenges poverty and unemployment, overrepresentation in state jails and federal prisons, and low education levels, and while some Native Americans have overcome the obstacles and become successful, most have been left behind. For the most part, however, Native Americans are very much separate and unequal members of society. 'Despair' characterizes the emotional state of many Native Americans who believe they live in a hostile environment.
The Native American Story: The Native American's Ongoing Struggle
Of central concern for many Native American activists is the ability to carry on traditional practices - religious beliefs, languages and other customs - free from discrimination. In response, they continue to fight to protect their rights and religious freedoms, both of which have repeatedly been threatened over the years through denial of access to religious sites, prohibitions on the use or possession of sacred objects, and restrictions on their ability to worship through ceremonial and traditional means.Specific rulings that have threatened Native Americans include:
- The Supreme Court, in 1998, allowed the construction of a Forest Service road through an ancient site held sacred by several tribes.
- The Supreme Court, in 1991, ruled that states and localities no longer had to show a "compelling governmental interest" to justify laws that limited or infringed upon religious exercise. (The case involved two Oregon men who were denied unemployment benefits after taking peyote as part of a worship ceremony of the Native American Church).
- Congress passed, and President Clinton signed, the Religious Freedom Restoration Act in 1993, which would have restored the "compelling interest" standards that limited government's ability to enforce legislation that infringes upon religious freedom. However, the Supreme Court soon struck down RFRA as an unconstitutional exercise of Congressional powers.
- 1994 - A law signed by President Clinton exempted the religious use of peyote from federal and state controlled substance laws and prohibited discrimination against those who engage in the use of peyote for religious purposes. Although this protected Native Americans' use of peyote, the fight to protect other areas of religious freedom continues.
Article continues - read about other civil rights concerns and a solution for the Native American community