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
Family Roles and the Criminal Justice System
Extended family has historically played significant roles for younger generations. Storytelling, ceremonies, and other cultural customs are ways in which knowledge accumulated over the centuries. These remain as key methods for passing knowledge down to younger generations. Elders play a significant role as keepers [of] knowledge. Ignatia Broker wrote, “Listen, and you will hear the patterns of life … Children at an early age were taught the importance of listening to the Old Ones; for, as the contemporary storyteller informs her grandchildren: ‘it has always been the custom for us to tell what must be passed on so that our ways will be known to the Ojibwe children of the future.” Each family member plays an important role in the family, clan, or community, but as a result of historical trauma and racism, the structure that established the role of family members has been damaged. Participants note that young people l ack positive role models, mentors, and involvement with elders that normally lead young people to a path that is healthy both culturally and spiritually.
“That time has come now. We need to help our own kind. Somebody said to me, ‘I don’t know how to be a grandmother.’ I said you teach, just like we did years ago. The grandparents were the teachers. Now we don’t have grandparents anymore.”
“Did you know many who went to jail? Not when I was living on the reservation. I kind of noticed from moving off the reservation and being in the orphanage that we lost the belief my grandmother was trying to instill in us in the cultural way. But I think we kind of moved that belief to which was the Catholic way and the Bible kind of thing. Because I remember my grandmother talking to us …”
“I remember there weren’t many people who had cable TV. And now, every home that I have gone to, people have cable TV. And their showing these shows now that show the fabulous life of so and so, and they’re seeing these young adults with cars, money, jewelry and all this stuff and that influence simply wasn’t there 15 years ago. When you think of how does a grandparent relate to their child now?”
I think our family ties were a lot stronger. I don’t think that we had, well certainly we didn’t have television that corrupted our traditional way of living …”
Participants also note that involvement in gangs essentially provides some fulfillment for young people who experience a lack of cultural guidance and support from families, elders, and tribal communities. This connection is need of further discussion and analysis.
Poupart J., Red Horse, J. et al. To Build a Bridge. St. Paul: American Indian Policy Center. p. 30-31
Broker, Ignatia (1983), Night Flying Woman: An Ojibway Narrative. St. Paul: MN Historical Society Press.
The
Well-Being of American Indian Children in Minnesota: Economic Conditions,
1994
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