For every cause there is a group of people who organize themselves so that they can find support for the issue. It doesn't even have to be a serious social cause. Some groups focus on, for instance, their support for or mutual dislike for a celebrity or a sports team. Often the members of these groups share a similar background, for instance the same ethnicity. In the United States, for instance, there are Native American organizations that deal with a huge variety of causes.
The last US census showed that Native Americans are now a small minority in the country that they've been inhabiting for centuries. Most are American Indians but the group also includes tribes indigenous to Hawaii and Alaska. Contrary to popular belief, the majority o not live in reservations but in cities where they may have to deal with various issues because of their ethnicity.
The way in which indigenous Americans have been portrayed by the film industry through the years has led to one of the biggest problems they face today, that of stereotypes. Many non-native people think of them as either the noble and wise old man who speaks in riddles, the fiery warrior with the flowing hair and shrill cry, the silly helper or the violent and hopeless drunk. However, there is much more variety among the descendants of the first Americans. For this reason some groups specifically aim to get rid of these stereotypes and to educate others about their people.
Indigenous people also face much racial discrimination, often because of the stereotypes that exist. In order to secure and promote their rights there are associations and activist groups who focus specifically on this. There are also groups that try to further cultural identity.
A great way for people of indigenous descent to challenge stereotypes and to educate others about their culture is through their daily work. Musicians, artists, journalists, lawyers and even rodeo cowboys are some of the groups that have their own professional organizations. Some help develop new talent while others, such as war veterans' associations, help those who have already paid their dues to society.
For various reasons, problems like poverty, violence, crime and drug and alcohol abuse are rife among the Native population. Many groups try to address these issues, for instance through the use of college funds or literacy programs that will provide more marketable skills and improve people's socio-economic circumstances. Groups like the Indian Health Service work with specific health issues such as diabetes, which is also prevalent among those of indigenous extraction.
Just like in society as a whole, indigenous peoples also struggle with environmental issues. The Indigenous Environmental Network is one organization that tries to find ways to address and prevent environmental problems on a more general scale. Often there are also more grassroots groups that deal with a specific issue, for instance plans for mining or fracking on their land.
Searching online is one way to find Native American organizations in the United States. Another is to look in magazines like the Native Peoples Magazine or newspapers like the Navajo Times. With so many groups working for such a variety of causes, you're sure to find one that's just right for you.
The last US census showed that Native Americans are now a small minority in the country that they've been inhabiting for centuries. Most are American Indians but the group also includes tribes indigenous to Hawaii and Alaska. Contrary to popular belief, the majority o not live in reservations but in cities where they may have to deal with various issues because of their ethnicity.
The way in which indigenous Americans have been portrayed by the film industry through the years has led to one of the biggest problems they face today, that of stereotypes. Many non-native people think of them as either the noble and wise old man who speaks in riddles, the fiery warrior with the flowing hair and shrill cry, the silly helper or the violent and hopeless drunk. However, there is much more variety among the descendants of the first Americans. For this reason some groups specifically aim to get rid of these stereotypes and to educate others about their people.
Indigenous people also face much racial discrimination, often because of the stereotypes that exist. In order to secure and promote their rights there are associations and activist groups who focus specifically on this. There are also groups that try to further cultural identity.
A great way for people of indigenous descent to challenge stereotypes and to educate others about their culture is through their daily work. Musicians, artists, journalists, lawyers and even rodeo cowboys are some of the groups that have their own professional organizations. Some help develop new talent while others, such as war veterans' associations, help those who have already paid their dues to society.
For various reasons, problems like poverty, violence, crime and drug and alcohol abuse are rife among the Native population. Many groups try to address these issues, for instance through the use of college funds or literacy programs that will provide more marketable skills and improve people's socio-economic circumstances. Groups like the Indian Health Service work with specific health issues such as diabetes, which is also prevalent among those of indigenous extraction.
Just like in society as a whole, indigenous peoples also struggle with environmental issues. The Indigenous Environmental Network is one organization that tries to find ways to address and prevent environmental problems on a more general scale. Often there are also more grassroots groups that deal with a specific issue, for instance plans for mining or fracking on their land.
Searching online is one way to find Native American organizations in the United States. Another is to look in magazines like the Native Peoples Magazine or newspapers like the Navajo Times. With so many groups working for such a variety of causes, you're sure to find one that's just right for you.
About the Author:
You can visit www.nationalallianceofnativeamericanslonghouse.com for more helpful information about The Many Native American Organizations In The United States.
No comments:
Post a Comment