Isabella Carter
Native Americans have faced a plethora of issues throughout history, many of which are still prevalent today. From societal discrimination, racism, and cultural appropriation to environmental concerns, such as water contamination and climate change, Native Americans have had to deal with a multitude of challenges. Furthermore, the Western education system often dismisses Native American worldviews, with STEM curriculum practices such as human and animal dissections considered highly problematic by Native American students. The definition of a Native American is also contested, with some arguing that the term serves to ease the conscience of white America in relation to past injustices. These issues are deeply rooted in the historical subjugation of Native Americans and have resulted in significant public health issues, including substance abuse and high rates of suicide.
| Characteristics | Values |
|---|---|
| Mental health issues | High rates of homelessness, incarceration, substance use disorders, and stress and trauma |
| Substance abuse | |
| Suicide | Suicide is the second leading cause of death among American Indians/Alaska Natives aged 10 to 34 |
| Depression | |
| Anxiety | |
| Violence | Violence against Native women is epidemic |
| Environmental issues | Water contamination, dumping, air pollution, mining waste, and climate change |
| Societal discrimination | |
| Racism | |
| Cultural appropriation through sports mascots and depictions in art | |
| Historical and intergenerational trauma | |
| Alcohol use disorder |
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What You'll Learn
Environmental issues like water contamination and climate change
Native Americans have a long history of thriving in, respecting, and protecting their environments. However, they are facing severe environmental challenges due to climate change and water contamination, which threaten their way of life and heritage.
Climate change is making the marginal land that Native Americans were forced onto by white settlers and the US government uninhabitable. In the Pacific Northwest, coastal erosion and storms are causing tribal land to disappear, forcing communities to move inland. In Alaska, the water is getting closer to Chefornak, a Yu’pik village on the western coast. Meanwhile, in the Southwest, severe drought means the Navajo Nation is running out of drinking water, and at the edge of the Ozarks, Cherokee communities are struggling to grow their heirloom crops, threatening their connection to their heritage.
Water contamination is also a critical issue for Native Americans. A report by DigDeep and the U.S. Water Alliance found that Native Americans are more likely to have trouble accessing water than any other group, with 58 out of every 1,000 Native American households lacking plumbing compared to 3 out of every 1,000 white households. The report also highlighted the issue of groundwater contamination from 521 abandoned uranium mines, which has led to increased gastric cancer rates and made water unsafe for human consumption. Unregulated drinking water sources have been identified as the greatest public health risk on the Navajo Nation by the Environmental Protection Agency.
These environmental issues are exacerbated by policies and historical injustices that have forced Native Americans onto undesirable lands. As a result, Native Americans are once again facing the loss of their homes and communities, highlighting the urgent need for action to address these environmental challenges.
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Violence against Native women
Native Americans face a variety of problems, including environmental issues, societal discrimination, racism, and cultural appropriation, and high rates of mental health issues, substance abuse, suicide, and violence. One of the most pressing issues is the epidemic of violence against Native women, which has reached unprecedented levels on tribal lands and in Alaska Native villages.
The impact of this violence on survivors, Native families, communities, and nations is devastating. Native children exposed to violence suffer from PTSD at rates three times higher than the general population. Additionally, the high rates of homicide and rape among Native women have resulted in them making up a significant portion of missing and murdered individuals.
Addressing this issue requires overcoming legal barriers that prevent tribal nations from effectively protecting their citizens. Efforts such as the Violence Against Women Act and the Safe Women, Strong Nations project aim to strengthen tribal nations' ability to address violence against women and provide support to survivors. It is crucial to recognize the urgency of this crisis and take decisive action to end the violence and bring justice to the affected individuals and communities.
The complex history of subjugation, forced relocation, land seizures, and intergenerational trauma faced by Native Americans has contributed to the current challenges experienced by Native communities. While there have been efforts to address these issues, such as the development of federal laws related to tribal sovereignty and rights, much more needs to be done to protect the safety and well-being of Native women and girls.
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Cultural taboos in education
Native Americans are underrepresented in science, technology, engineering, and mathematics (STEM) education. One of the factors contributing to this underrepresentation is the presence of cultural taboos in the curriculum. Many STEM faculty members are unaware of the historical experiences of Native Americans with the education system, which has been used to forcibly acculturate them. As a result, they may not recognize the threat that Native Americans perceive from curricula that require them to violate strongly held cultural beliefs.
A survey of 96 students from 42 different tribes found that 50% of respondents generally observed tribal taboos, and 38% said they would choose not to pursue a science major if it required them to violate a serious tribal taboo. Additionally, 67% of respondents said they would be more likely to take science classes if the curriculum was more respectful of tribal taboos. The survey also found that even if some students were not personally deterred by violating cultural taboos, they may be concerned about the potential harm to their relationships with family and tribal members.
Practices that have been proven to increase Native students' interest in STEM include caring mentors, hands-on learning, observational learning, collaboration, real-world applications, and community involvement. Some tribal STEM programs are employing community-based science curricula that are local, place-based, hands-on, involve the community, incorporate system-thinking, and explore multiple epistemologies.
Native American students view human and animal dissections as the most problematic STEM activities. Institutions are legally required to accommodate students' sincerely held religious and moral beliefs. However, discussing taboos to request accommodation can be perceived as disrespectful, and many Native Americans may avoid situations that require accommodation altogether.
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Historical and intergenerational trauma
The impact of historical trauma on Native Americans has resulted in significant public health issues, including alcohol use disorder and a high risk of suicide. Native American communities have high rates of homelessness, incarceration, substance use disorders, and stress and trauma. The suicide rate for American Indians and Alaskan Natives is approximately 190% of the rate for the general population, with youth between the ages of 10 and 24 being the most at-risk. Native American students are also disproportionately affected by bullying and are more likely to experience online bullying compared to their peers.
The theory of historical trauma provides a framework for understanding how past traumas are connected to current problems in Native American communities. Brave Heart and DeBruyn (1998) proposed that the primary feature of historical trauma is the transfer of trauma to subsequent generations through biological, psychological, environmental, and social means, resulting in a cycle of cross-generational trauma. This theory has been supported by counselors, psychologists, and psychiatrists working with Native American individuals.
Addressing historical trauma is crucial for achieving health equity for Native Americans. Experts emphasize the need to reckon with the impact of historical trauma on the health and well-being of Native American populations to address health disparities. Initiatives such as the Indigenous Peacemaking Initiative aim to support Native peoples in restoring traditional peacemaking practices and promoting cultural heritage and knowledge. Additionally, the Native American Rights Fund (NARF) works to develop federal laws that address tribal sovereignty, land rights, and the accountability of governments to Native people.
While there has been skepticism about the validity of the historical trauma theory due to the lack of empirical evidence, recent research has begun to explore the impact of trauma on physiological functioning and its cross-generational transmission. Understanding the intergenerational impact of trauma is essential for developing effective clinical practices and policies to address the unique challenges faced by Native American communities.
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Discrimination and racism
Racism and discrimination against Native Americans have taken various forms, including violence, segregation, cultural appropriation, and depictions in art and sports mascots. Native Americans experience a higher rate of violent hate crime victimization than any other race or ethnicity. Historical events such as the California genocide and the American Indian Wars further reflect the deep-seated racism and violence endured by Native Americans.
In the early 20th century, universities and colleges began adopting nicknames like "Indians" and "Warriors," influenced by societal understandings of Native American history. This phenomenon contributed to the perpetuation of racist stereotypes and imagery.
Today, Native Americans continue to experience discrimination and racism in various domains of their lives, including healthcare, employment, education, housing, and interactions with the police and courts. More than one in five Native Americans reported experiencing discrimination in clinical encounters, and 15% avoided seeking healthcare due to anticipated discrimination. Native Americans also face disparities in fair treatment by institutions, particularly in healthcare and law enforcement.
The healthcare system, for example, creates additional barriers to accessing care, placing a higher burden on the already underfunded and understaffed Indian Health Service. In education, the STEM curriculum often dismisses Native worldviews and cultural taboos, discouraging Native American students from pursuing STEM fields.
Environmental issues also disproportionately affect Native Americans, including water contamination, dumping, air pollution, mining waste, and climate change. These issues threaten the communities and territories of Native American tribes.
Addressing discrimination and racism against Native Americans requires recognizing the historical and systemic nature of these issues and working towards equitable solutions in collaboration with tribal nations.
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Frequently asked questions
The U.S. Census defines a Native American or Alaska Native as someone with origins in the original peoples of North and South America and who maintains a tribal affiliation or community attachment.
Native Americans face many issues, including societal discrimination, racism, cultural appropriation, and environmental problems like water contamination, dumping, and air pollution. There are also high rates of mental health issues, substance abuse, and suicide within Native American communities.
The U.S. Department of the Interior defines a Native American reservation as an area of land reserved for a tribe or tribes under a treaty or other agreement, where the federal government holds the title to the land in trust.
Native nations are recognized as domestic dependent nations with degrees of sovereignty existing within the United States. The primary government-to-government relationship for Native Americans is with the U.S. federal government, not individual states.
Contemporary issues include the trauma caused by historical subjugation and discrimination, resulting in public health issues like alcohol use disorder and suicide. There is also criticism of the term "Native American" as it was imposed by the government without consent and does not accurately represent the indigenous peoples of America.
