Friday, March 29, 2024

Native American Resilience

“Native American Resilience: A Story of Racism, Genocide, and Survival” offers readers a comprehensive analysis of Native American history from Eurocentric invasion into the 21st century. The author discusses essential aspects and events in the historical and current lives of Native Americans, ranging from beliefs to lifestyles, starting from invasion and colonization to contemporary issues such as ongoing discrimination, Missing and Murdered Indigenous Women, health needs and cultural appropriation, as well as urban integration, the reclamation of graves and artifacts, as seen in the Native American Graves Protection and Repatriation Act, and legal actions to have standing treaties honored.

Patricia Streng was inspired to write this book by a rekindled interest in and desire to comprehend Native American history that was not taught in any curriculum. She spent literally countless hours researching, travelling and writing to thoroughly examine centuries-old historical documents demonstrating the bigotry and genocide against Native Americans, including the accidental and purposeful introduction of smallpox, from when the Europeans first came ashore to trade and later to settle. The loss of Narive American life was great from both, as the Native Americans had no immunity from or ability to treat the disease.

As a final semester college student in 1992, several events permanently altered Patricia Streng’s field of interest. She was required to take a history course, so she chose American History. That class helped Streng be aware of more of the history of American and Indian interactions, further igniting her passion to right the wrongs done to Native Americans.

This book results from 30 years of study and research into materials dating from hundreds of years ago to the present. Internet work, personal interviews and related travel also played an intergral part as it became increasingly clear that Native Americans had been the target of genocide.

Streng wrote “Native American Resilience: A Story of Racism, Genocide, and Survival” in two parts. The first part focuses on the Cherokee people’s survival and difficulties. The oral traditions of the Cherokee people, which dates back to their earliest times and the conflicts that occurred when the new government was founded, are highlighted. From the early 1600s, trade and treaties played a crucial part in the Cherokee people’s engagement with the Europeans. Several key Cherokee chiefs oversaw this interaction. 

For example, beginning in the 1700s, legislation required that Indian children were taken and forced into boarding schools to be taught and expected to follow the customs of the white man. We are now learning of the horrors endured for centuries by the children at these schools. Many of them died and were buried in unmarked graves. Native American beliefs, languages, and cultures were forbidden, and these fundamental rights weren’t restored until 1978. 

In Part II, contemporary Native American life is examined, along with problems they encounter in American society and with the federal and state governments as they work to maintain their sovereignty. And although there are treaties legally still in full force, many have been changed or set aside at the government’s convenience, resulting in numerous lawsuits with some significant settlements in money and rights for the Indian people. Relevant actions through 21st centrury presidential administrations up to the time of publication in 2021 are covered, as well as continuing discrimination and appropriation. 

Some tribes have ceased to exist, while others are working to regain their languages and cultures in addition to their lawful rights. Native Americans, the First Americans, continue their fight to gain justice for what has wrongfully been done to them and what has been taken away – including the rights and opportunities provided to all American citizens.

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