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
Focus Group Findings
BARRIERS TO COMMUNICATIONS
- The focus groups were a social microcosm of the larger culture and
the discussion in the mixed-race group reflected different cultural
patterns of interaction. Different communications and problem-solving
styles of American Indians and non-Indians caused frustration and misunderstanding
among participants. Non-Indian participants had solution-focused problem-solving
and they wanted to know what to do to stop racism. American Indian participants
had a broader perspective on the situation and understood racism to
be much more difficult to address.
- Participants identified the barriers to cross-cultural communications
and relationships as generational stereotyping, racism and racist behaviors.
- Many interactions between American Indians and non-Indians serve to
affirm stereotypes because people are looking for information to confirm
their stereotypes. Non-Indians overlook an abundance of information
and interactions that run counter to stereotypes, and there is not really
an interaction going on. For example, one American Indian said
she was tired of going to the store and receiving dirty looks, of being
followed, and of being treated like a foreigner. Experiences such as
this occur in everyday living and make it difficult for American Indians
and non-Indians to grow closer.
- Trust was a theme that underlaid the focus group discussions but was not discussed directly. There is a long history of distrust between the communities and it appears that the issues surrounding distrust must be addressed before trust can be built.
IMPROVING CROSS-CULTURAL COMMUNICATIONS
- In the mixed focus group, there was a general frustration with racism
and participants did not know how to work on it. The word "racism"
seemed to disable dialogue between the American Indian and non-Indian
participants. The word weighs heavy on people and they do not know how
to address it. It seems as though the word is loaded with so much emotional
meaning that it has become meaningless. The dialogue improved when the
word "racism" was taken out the discussion and participants
spoke more specifically about their experiences.
- American Indian participants indicated they would like non-Indians
to legitimately listen without having preconceived notions about American
Indian people.
- Most of the American Indian participants expressed a willingness to help non-Indians learn about Indian culture and traditions. They would like non-Indians to learn about the history, the principles and the morality of American Indian people. They believe many non-Indians honestly want to know how American Indians live. Several American Indian participants do storytelling and speaking with non-Indian groups and schools, but only do so when invited. Because of the American Indian cultural value of not interfering with others beliefs they do not proselytize their culture and generally share their knowledge only when asked. Non-Indian people need to learn how to ask - there is no dishonor in seeking new information.
IMPROVING RELATIONSHIPS
- Participants from both focus groups agreed the separation of American
Indian and non-Indian relationships starts during childhood in elementary
school, particularly around the sixth grade. One American Indian participant
stated, "In sixth grade we realized we were Indian and they were
white and you [we] were not going to be accepted no matter what you
[we] do."
- Participants wanted to find ways to informally intermingle American
Indian and non-Indian peer groups. It was suggested that getting together
over coffee might be one way for people from the different cultures
to get to know each other.
- One participant said, "I don't think that getting together to
talk about this or that will change any racism."
- Another participant stated, "If we wait to get together to drink
coffee until racism disappears then we will never do it. We need to
start talking now."
- One participant pointed out that there is an absence of a mediator
between the two communities. There is no person who can bring the communities
together who is respected by both sides.
- All participants placed efforts to improve relations between American Indians and non-Indians within a context. They indicated it is unrealistic to think that racism can be changed with one or a few community events. Improved relations will take generations to change.
AMERICAN INDIANS FACE CHALLENGES WITHIN AS WELL AS OUTSIDE OF THEIR CULTURE
- American Indians must deal with external [non-Indian], and internal
[tribal], problems. While participants from both focus groups understood
American Indians have their own problems to work on separate from dealing
with non-Indian people, only the all-Indian group openly discussed tribal
conflict. This suggests that American Indians may leave behind their
tribal problems when working with non-Indians to address issues related
to American Indian and non-Indian interaction.
- One American Indian participant expressed frustration with the discussion
on how to stop racism. She indicated that it was a white, not an Indian
problem and that Indians did not have to deal with it before white people
came. She indicated that American Indians have enough work to do on
the reservation without having to deal with white people's racism.
- Some American Indians are fearful of non-Indians learning about American Indian cultural traditions. They have a fear of non-Indians appropriating that which is sacred to Indians. They do not want non-Indians to learn more about their culture because it might degrade the sacred. One participant explained she, "does not want to become another generic Indian."
The
Well-Being of American Indian Children in Minnesota: Economic Conditions,
1994
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