NBC reported that some tribes now have solar energy, and they don't have actual electricity because some choose to follow traditions while others live in an area where they can't have a power grid. For those who don't know, Native Americans tribes(on reservations) are living in poverty. Since the events in the past that led up to Andrew Jackson to be a total jerk(Me not cursing here, so I apologize if I sound like a child here) and force them off their homeland and drop them in conditions where it's pretty bad(For the tribes in the plains and Southwest). Should we help them out and get them in a nice pace? My only rule in this is only constructive arguments are allowed. No mean insults por favor.
I was worried by the title of this thread (having just come from the "do we live in a racist society" thread) but it seems like you are actually expressing legitimate concern for a real issue xD anyway, to the topic at hand - yes and no (it's complicated, obviously). Yes, tribes should be offered assistance (with no strings attached!) in the same way that the government should be assisting anyone anywhere within our borders that needs help. No, we should not force "help" upon anyone that doesn't want it. There are certain ways of helping that are respectful of their sovereignty and there are others that just come off as belittling and kind of racist. It's a fine line, but the best thing to do is to discuss any form of action with the people in charge of these reservations and tribal communities and make sure that everyone is on board with whatever assistance is being offered. (whether it be land re-assignment, financial aide, political treaties, or physical goods or services). The best way to think of the situation is as if these tribes were independent nations (because that's exactly what they are); and so how we make deals and cooperate with them is exactly the same as how we should be dealing with other nations around the world.
Thanks for the comment.~ I guess I haven't thought of it that way, but I guess that decisions should be made peacefully, and not ridden with blood.
I guess the tribes are sort of like independent nations, excepting the fact that we kicked them off of their large, unbound lands and sequestered them into small grounds that we call "reservations." The fact of the matter is, they aren't quite so independent. They're protected by the United States and receive supplies from the United States simply by venturing outside their borders. As for forcing help on them, I agree with the premise of that idea, though it could be easily solved by asking them whether or not they want help.
Well of course, the reason I am so willing to say absolutely they are entitled to resources we might provide is that it is our fault they are in such difficult situations in the first place. By "independant", I simply meant they have autonomy over their own laws and social structures - they are within the outter US borders, however they have special exemptions from US laws in an attempt to respect their original sovereignty. So this being the case, we just need to like you said, ask them what they actually want and respect their wishes in the matter.
I am very thankful that my grandmother got off the reservation and my mother and I were born with more opportunities. Here is an interesting article that highlights some of the causes of the poor quality of life on reservations. http://www.forbes.com/sites/johnkop...-reservations-so-poor-a-look-at-the-bottom-1/ There's also this way if you want to help directly. http://www.nrcprograms.org/site/PageServer?pagename=index
Despite being independent, reservations are surprisingly still being harassed by people and having bits and pieces of their land stolen by those who would wish to use it. That alone should warrants our help.
It's no trouble! I agree that more laws should be passed regarding how our government and citizens affect reservations, or the existing laws should be more thoroughly policed. I think you've been on the right track.
Interestingly enough, apparently Obama just signed an executive order directly relating to this topic. http://www.whitehouse.gov/the-press...g-white-house-council-native-american-affairs In summary: The president is convening a new council specifically tasked with improving the US government's relationship with tribal leaders and regional native american governments by streamlining previously unhelpful bureaucracy. I guess the point of this is to also build or improve social assistance programs and create more opportunity for cooperative economic development between reservations and surrounding communities. TLR Version: The white house is putting new resources aside to better help native american governments & communities.
