Discrimination Against American Indians

DISCRIMINATION AGAINST AMERICAN INDIANS BY NEW YORK REGULATORS AND THEIR BUDDIES IN DC Native American Indians lived peacefully for thousands of years Europeans come to the land Treaties were signed to As Europeans expand, the native society is disrupted secure native lands forever Treaty conditions were continuously re-negotiated in the favor of the US HISTORY OF BROKEN government and against the interests of the natives COMPROMISES But eventually a dependable way of life was established on tribal reservations across the United States CONTEMPORARY THREATS Today's tribal culture is being eroded and threatened by outside forces U.S. GOVERNMENT THREATS/ AGGRESSION THE EROSION OF TRIBAL CULTURE TREATY CRISIS -> Traditional life, centered around the seasons is less apparent. Seasons are also changing, as man-made climate conditions become more profound. Attempts at assimilation of American Indians continues through subtle legal and political tactics of interest groups, states, and the federal government. -> Two different worlds: One of oral/tribal traditions, another of linear western thinking. .--> The trust relationship between tribes and the U.S. government is being challenged and dismantled through welfare reform measures and the devolution of social programs from -> Modern forms of communication threaten the tradition of oral story-telling. Death of the native language and art. Challenges for restoring traditional ways include misinformation given to young people from unreliable sources. the federal level to the state level. -> Modern technology is completely divorced from the native American experience. Influence of modern media, TV/Web. HIGHLIGHTING CURRENT THREATS -> Traditionally a different way of thought: a connection to the spirit, and an appreciation for what they've been given. A connection with drumming. Deliberate attempt of Christianity to destroy native beliefs. >Economic development for tribes is being under-funded by the US Government. The total budget for Indian policy and economic development, for the 232 recognized tribes, is only about $40 miLlion > California and Colorado have sued (and lost) -> Special respect for the pregnant mother and her baby. Emphasis on the focus on family, and treating guests with special privilege. Broader definition of family. Adoption by relatives very common in traditional culture. to inhibit Native American financial institutions from providing much-needed loans to distressed families. --> Expanding urban areas have reached out to the borders of tribal reservations, encroaching on what had previously been open land. > New York State, the federal Department of Justice and the FDIC are pressuring banks to block some Native American lending institutions from continuing to offer lending services. Income from these services can ORG make up as much as 25% of a tribe's total revenue to pay for social and health services! 25% -Vs- 20 --> Need for unity on national American Indian representation, one voice would make a stronger argument than 20. ILLEGAL ACTIONS OF STATE GOVERNMENTS TO USURP FEDERAL LAW Since the 1970s, states have forced tribes to spend millions of dollars defending their illegal attempts to prohibit gaming activity that has been upheld in court time after time. States are challenging native hunting and fishing rights States attempting to determine WHO is a tribal member by an arbitrary degree of "Indianness," attempting to supercede the 1978 Child Welfare Act" States exercising legal authority on tribal lands through police and political action DIMINISHED RESERVATION BOUNDARIES Hagen v. Utah (1997) is one case states will be using to pursue the land base of tribes in the future. 1784 1830 1870 1972 BUSINESSES TARGETED FOR TAXATION 16% TAX CASINO Targets for taxation, namely gaming revenues, are being pursued both legally and publicly through the media. Examples include a 16% tax negotiated in the recent gaming compact for the Navajo Nation and New Mexico and the targeting of casino revenues to finance a sports facility in Minnesota. HELP END THE CENTURIES OF DISCRIMINATION AGAINST AMERICAN INDIAN ENTERPRISES CONTACT NAFSA TODAY! Information for this graphic sourced from the American Indian Policy Center, The National Council of American Indians and Bloomberg L.P.