Research Reports
Reflections on Traditional American Indian Ways, 1998
Threats to Tribal Sovereignty, 1998
Traditional American Indian Leadership: A Comparison with U.S. Governance, 1997
Reflections on Traditional American Indian Ways
The Future
The following are elders thoughts about the future of American Indian communities.
Today's younger generations are the future of American Indian people. Margaret states, "It's the children, once we lose children we won't have a future. We'll all be big brown white people. We have to teach the children. We need to ask ourselves how much time we give to our children and grandchildren because they are the link to the future." Deb relates, "Today when I hear the elders talk, they are always praying for the unborn future generations of Indian people. This generation needs to remember those that are yet to come - to make way and prepare for those that are yet to come." The younger generations need to be educated in the traditional American Indian ways. This education needs to come from American Indian people themselves. Carol indicates:
We need to define education for ourselves, and success for ourselves. Education needs to be balanced with the traditional way of life. We should take our kids out to the sugarbush and berry picking. Education does not just occur between four walls. It is a way of life, and it is also an education. Maintaining the traditional way of life needs to be as pressing as the mainstream, white education.
There are a lot of things people need to go back to maintain American Indian ways, one of which is the oral traditions. Tom relates an example, "When I am out making sugar bush with my family, I sleep in the same room, with my grandkids. I lie on the bottom bunk and they on the top bunks and they say, 'Grandpa, could you tell us a story?'" Maintaining the oral tradition is central to the way of life. Joe states, "The oral tradition is very important. It is really an apex of Native American communities." Moreover, elders recognize that American Indians need to utilize contemporary methods to ensure the education of younger generations. Deb maintains, "There is no reason that this [the traditional ways] should be lost because there are people who can write this down and teach the young folks."
In thinking about the future of American Indian people, Carol relates, "There are hard questions that we need to ask ourselves." Some of the questions are about what American Indians are willing to do to maintain the culture and traditions. Mike explains:
What is tradition? What is culture? Indians have to define and decide for themselves. They have the opportunity to do something. It's a choice to not do something or to do something. This could be a time of great promise or of great disappointment. It all depends on what we do as a people. We make history today, all the time. We hold a lot of power. If we allow things to remain the same, that's our decision.
Carol elaborates:
We need to take a candid look at the state of the culture. We cannot afford to be romanticizing about ourselves like other people have done. For example, if any of our children are taking their lives, then there is something very wrong, something very wrong with the way we are doing things. We need to stop and think about why we are doing what we are doing rather than just going through the motions.
Reflecting on the situation and making a decision to do something is only part of what is needed to create a future for the younger generations. As Carol suggests, "Sincere efforts will be what will change it."
Elders believe that American Indians' ability to adapt and change will help the traditional ways of life survive into the future. Ray states:
One of the greatest attributes that Native Americans possess is our ability to adapt and to change. We were able to change when Europeans came or else we'd have been wiped out by now. When things changed and we had to participate in the modern day economy, we did it. We were able to adapt and change and at the same time not relinquish our identity, our spirituality, our clans. We still share with each other and help each other.
American Indians are unique peoples and maintaining the traditional ways will help them to survive in today's modern world. Ray predicts:
If I had to look to the future I'd say we are going to return to wealth and prosperity. It is okay to have material goods so long as we maintain our spiritual values. In the future, our people will be a contributing sector of modern society that all people will recognize as unique, perhaps to the extent of idolizing. It's happening today.
Ray further suggests, "We need to try to guide ourselves in living a good modern way - to teach the people to not ridicule, and to always give what they have no matter who they are." While living a good modern way is a challenge, it is also a very exciting time for American Indian peoples. Mike relates, "We are on the doorsteps of greater things. I have hopes and dreams of a people strong in language and tradition, powerful and happy."
The
Well-Being of American Indian Children in Minnesota: Economic Conditions,
1994
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