Should native american's get "special" rights from the government? Ill elaborate on this later but right now I have to go to bed.

Tell me what you all think.

Native Americans are not the first people that came to this country, I believe it was the Vikings or the Nomads?

But they should have rights, our rights. They already have the benefits of going to college for free and other benefits -- why should they get more? It's not fair for the other people.

Originally Posted by Leenalia

Native Americans are not the first people that came to this country, I believe it was the Vikings or the Nomads?

Wut.

Okay, there's a reason they're called Native Americans. It has to do with us being, y'know, first and all. Remember the Bering Land Bridge that connected Russia and Alaska with the wooly mammoths and the sabre-toothed tigers and stuff? Yeah. That thing.

Now, the Vikings were the first from Europe to cross the Atlantic, but this was still over 7,000 years later. The land bridge disappeared completely around 6,000 BC, and Vikings started exploring around 1,000 AD. I think a 7,000-year habitation of a continent is sufficient to call them "native."

Leenalia: Keyori handled it first, so props to her :P The Vikings were largely interested in trade when they came to North America. If they were first, who were they trading with? The animals?

As to the topic, I'm not sure what "special" rights you mean, unless you're referring to the separate legal systems reservations are entitled to.

They have special areas of land they can live on with their own laws and rules, they can go to collage free....

I think they have their rights.

The theory was that the first Americans were Asians who crossed from Siberia to Alaska. No one fully knows. There is now a theory floating around that they may not have been the first. Examinations of skulls found in the eastern US do not appear to be from the same people we imagine crossing the 'land bridge'. They were more like those found in Europe, yet not enough to be sure, and may be from an as-yet unknown group of people altogether.

One of the answers to the question states that no one really knows if it's Native Americans. We all associate Native Americans as Cherokee, Hopi, Seioux, etc. but the first actual people to set foot are believed to be Asians.

I did my research, turns out the Vikings came later near the 10th century.

The Siberian tribesman migrated to the America's 15,000 to 20,000 years ago. They get the credit for being the first people, but not discovery.

Sooo....you want to give Siberians more rights?

Could you possibly post a link to where you got that information? That would be very helpful :)

Lady_Megami: "Special areas of land"? That's what they were left when the government violated treaties and took their land. Hence the term "reservation". Sometimes the reservations are far from where the tribe is originally from, and often, they were given the choice between moving onto these "reservations" or being exterminated. And this happened as recently as the early 20th century in some places. As for the college thing, I'm not entirely sure what you're talking about. However, with all the scholarships and aid programs available, most people could (with enough effort put into it) get a free college education.

I'm really hoping this thread is some sort of response to the one on African Americans. If not, there seems to be an epidemic of unexamined privilege on Menewsha :|

Yeah, it'd be nice if they didn't have to live on reservations. It may seem all nice and whatever, but that's all they can have. Sounds more like a barrier to me.

They should have more rights. For heck's sake, most of them were gunned down, and thrown out of their lands. The deserve a lot more then some reservation ):

I live near the Trail of Tears. I've had my head talked off about how awful the government has been to natives x_x

Same. Part of it, anyway. I went to a memorial event...thing for it when I was younger. Looking back now, it was ironic in an incredibly sad way that it was mostly a way to make quick money by selling stereotypical 'Native' souvenirs (like "Native American" flutes made in China) to white people. I'm sort of glad I don't hear about it as often as you do.

Originally Posted by Philomel

Looking back now, it was ironic in an incredibly sad way that it was mostly a way to make quick money by selling stereotypical 'Native' souvenirs (like "Native American" flutes made in China) to white people. do.

Don't you just love America?

And dream catchers! And Sacajawea merch! (yup, live near lewis & clark trail too)

Ugh, we had so many projects in elementary school because it was "area heritage" or some BS like that. I could probably write a novel about Sacajawea now.

Probably the most interesting Native American site I've been to is Cahokia Mounds in Illinois. Climbed to the top of Monk's Mound :D

I liked the Woodhenge too. I should go back some time...

Originally Posted by Keyori

And dream catchers! And Sacajawea merch! (yup, live near lewis & clark trail too)

There was a petting zoo, too. With cockatoos. Because when I think Native Americans, I think exotic birds.

Probably the most interesting Native American site I've been to is Cahokia Mounds in Illinois. Climbed to the top of Monk's Mound :D

I've been there! :o It's been a long time, but I seem to remember that it was fairly okay. Slightly commercialized, but it seemed like they genuinely wanted to teach people things as well. They had the most amazing frybread when I went, too <3

I'm 25% Native American, and I don't get any special rights. Mainly because my mom didn't really have proof of it, and I'm not willing to go to my jerkhead dad to get a copy of his birth certificate to prove it. Anyway, I think Native Americans should get special rights. This was their land before the Europeans came, and killed them all. How would you like it if your family was completely murdered, everything you own was taken from you, and then you are given a crappy piece of land to live on, and are forced to live in poverty for the rest of your life, because the government ignores you for the most part. Most Native Americans don't even go to college because they live on reservations, and then they don't go to school as much either. They have been completely destroyed. There are not many of them left. If that was you, wouldn't you want something to compensate for what the ruling government did? I think they should at least be given better land, instead of sent out into the barren dessert like some of them were.

Originally Posted by Philomel

There was a petting zoo, too. With cockatoos. Because when I think Native Americans, I think exotic birds.

:sarcasm: @ the owners of the petting zoo

Originally Posted by Philomel

I've been there! :o It's been a long time, but I seem to remember that it was fairly okay. Slightly commercialized, but it seemed like they genuinely wanted to teach people things as well. They had the most amazing frybread when I went, too <3

Oh jeez, I was in grade school the last time I went, so I don't remember as much as I wish I did. I live much farther away from it now though, but I still need to make time for another trip next summer...

They should. We stole their land coutless times that the only peace they can get is on reservations because they don't want to live like us.

I agree with them. It is sad. We outcast them like we were here first. That isn't right.

Philomel, argh I searched all over the place for the answers and I had forgotten to copy the link down! It doesn't even show up on my "History" tabs. I'm sorry v_v

It's fine :P Just please post that to begin with next time.

Originally Posted by Tsukipon

They should. We stole their land coutless times that the only peace they can get is on reservations because they don't want to live like us.

I agree with them. It is sad. We outcast them like we were here first. That isn't right.

Tell that to my drunkard ex that couldn't stand living like a native american so he set about trying to break every stereotype that was ever made about it. Littering, smoking(legal and illegal), drinking, stealing, and more. Ironically enough for someone didn't want to accept the heritage of his people he sure the hell was accepting of his then 2(probably 4 to 5 now) grand casino check , and is probably spending it in the same manner as well.

Anyways on topic. Yes they deserve more of their original lands back, not just the comparably tiny reservations our ancestors shoved them onto. However they do not need more rights then you or me. What they deserve to be treated like everyone else. Why should they(or any ethnic group for that matter) deserve and get more rights then anyone else?

that all men are created equal, that they are endowed by their Creator with certain unalienable Rights

How would treating one ethnic group better then others be following one of the key foundations on which our country was founded upon. It and us all need to learn to follow this one line better.

Do you mean special rights such as those they used to have before Jackson's presidency? Native Americans had their original land in the west and didn't have to pay taxes, etc. Jackson's claim, as well as some presidents before him, justified their displacement of the Natives by saying that, if they want to be treated like citizens, they should act like them. They should abide by the rules of the government and pay taxes just like Americans. (I think that's mostly correct... but feel free to call me out on it.)

That being said, no, I don't think they should have 'special' rights. I think they should have the same equity as everyone else.

I believe in larger land reserves for the tribes. They were victims of rape, genocide, theft, relocation, and ethnocide. Also all cultures have the right to exist. I believe the reservations should be reformed to better suit the tribes' cultures. When they were created they were created in such a way that the land had to be owned privately, which contradicted their lifestyle and was another tool in the forced assimilation of their culture. The tribes should be given land back in their original areas, with the option to own land and property in any ways that they wish(privately, collectively), ability to set up their own style of economy(capitalism, barter, gift), etc.

I have a long rant to go on about this one. The fact is, the Native Americans were here first. The Europeans came along and we pretty much screwed them over. They lost the majority of their lands because we forced them to hand their land over and then we go and shove them onto these little reservations where just about all of them live in poverty, running casinos. I've driven through a reservation or two in my life, and I personally think the conditions are deplorable. I would say we need to do so much more for them than we have been doing. If it were possible, I'd say give the different tribes their land back, but there's no way the government will do that because they don't want displace a shitload of people...but do you know what? We displaced the Native Americans when we took over, so why can't we do the same for them? The Europeans massacred the Native Americans more times than I care to count, and I think we owe them something better than the lives that their leading.