Now that we have gained new knowledge about the mistreatment of Native Americans, we have the responsibility to do something with this knowledge. To let this knowledge go to waste would be disrespectful not only to you (our instructor), but also to present day Native Americans who are being continuously mistreated by our government and our citizens. Using the knowledge we have gained from our readings and from lectures we are able to demonstrate our knowledge and new ideas by trying to make changes in both our daily lives and by trying to change our pre-misconceptions of Native Americans in Minnesota.
Before taking this course we were unfamiliar with many aspects of Native American life in both the United States and in Minnesota particularly. …show more content…
For example, we won’t dress up in any offensive costumes or other clothing. Also, we will be very aware of respecting the land while traveling because it is so important to acknowledge the importance that the earth has to the Native American religion. For this reason, if we are traveling through their land, we will respect it and follow the rules that the Native Americans ask of us. A fitting example of being mindful when interacting with Native American culture comes from the book “Night Flying Woman” by Ignatia Broker. In this book, the author discusses the importance of listening and speaking, especially when conversing with elders (Broker ix). We have learned that it is important to let the elders address the younger person before the younger person speaks. We will carry this with us into the world if we are ever interacting with a Native …show more content…
An oil pipeline has been proposed to run right by the Standing Rock Sioux Reservation to bring oil from North Dakota to the Chicago area. This pipeline would run through ancestral lands sacred to the Standing Rock Sioux Community as well as having the possibility of cultural and environmental damages. These issues as described on the Standing Sioux 's website read, “First, the pipeline would pass under the Missouri River (at Lake Oahe) just a half a, mile upstream of the Tribe’s reservation boundary, where a spill would be culturally and economically catastrophic. Second, the pipeline would pass through areas of great cultural significance, such as sacred sites and burials that federal law seeks to protect”(smithsonianmag.com). This is very similar to the issues discussed within the latest documentary viewed in class and proves that injustices towards Native Americans’ sacred sites and cultures are still being neglected and abused
Before taking this course we were unfamiliar with many aspects of Native American life in both the United States and in Minnesota particularly. …show more content…
For example, we won’t dress up in any offensive costumes or other clothing. Also, we will be very aware of respecting the land while traveling because it is so important to acknowledge the importance that the earth has to the Native American religion. For this reason, if we are traveling through their land, we will respect it and follow the rules that the Native Americans ask of us. A fitting example of being mindful when interacting with Native American culture comes from the book “Night Flying Woman” by Ignatia Broker. In this book, the author discusses the importance of listening and speaking, especially when conversing with elders (Broker ix). We have learned that it is important to let the elders address the younger person before the younger person speaks. We will carry this with us into the world if we are ever interacting with a Native …show more content…
An oil pipeline has been proposed to run right by the Standing Rock Sioux Reservation to bring oil from North Dakota to the Chicago area. This pipeline would run through ancestral lands sacred to the Standing Rock Sioux Community as well as having the possibility of cultural and environmental damages. These issues as described on the Standing Sioux 's website read, “First, the pipeline would pass under the Missouri River (at Lake Oahe) just a half a, mile upstream of the Tribe’s reservation boundary, where a spill would be culturally and economically catastrophic. Second, the pipeline would pass through areas of great cultural significance, such as sacred sites and burials that federal law seeks to protect”(smithsonianmag.com). This is very similar to the issues discussed within the latest documentary viewed in class and proves that injustices towards Native Americans’ sacred sites and cultures are still being neglected and abused