Some cities across the U.S. are marking the second Monday in October as Indigenous Peoples Day. Indigenous People are “inheritors and practitioners of unique cultures and ways of relating to people and the environment. They have retained social, cultural, economic and political characteristics that are distinct from those of the dominant societies in which they live. Despite their cultural differences, indigenous peoples from around the world share common problems related to the protection of their rights as distinct peoples” (Quoted from the following United Nations Website: https://www.un.org/development/desa/indigenouspeoples/about-us.html). Like other marginalized groups, indigenous people have lost many rights, including the right to their lands.
Above photo of celebrations from the article “Indigenous Peoples’ Day: The Unofficial, Columbus-Free Celebration.”
Click on below link to read about Indigenous Peoples Day.
https://www.nytimes.com/2019/10/14/nyregion/indigenous-day.html
Every year since the 1600s many Native American Tribes have been struggling to get their ancestral lands back. With the help of others, a few have been successful.
Above photo of land returned to Esselen Tribe from the article “After 250 years, Native American tribe regains ownership of Big Sur ancestral lands.”
Click on below link to read about the return of land to the Esselen Tribe in 2020.
https://www.cnn.com/travel/article/native-american-tribe-big-sur-ancestral-lands-trnd/index.html
Separated from their land since 1860, the Wiyot Tribe with the help of concerned locals from neighboring communities were able to get their land back in 2019.
Above photo of Wiyot Tribe members paddling near their land from the article “Indigenous people across the US want their land back — and the movement is gaining momentum.”
Click on below link to read about the return of Duluwat Island to the Wiyot Tribe.
https://www.cnn.com/2020/11/25/us/indigenous-people-reclaiming-their-lands-trnd/index.html
Above photo of International Indigenous Expert Group Meeting at the United Nations in 2019 to discuss “Peace, justice and strong institutions: the role of indigenous peoples in implementing Sustainable Development Goal 16.”
All around the world, the same struggles are emerging. Indigenous People are rising up and reclaiming their rights to their native lands. The United Nations has been focusing on international indigenous issues since 2002. Click on below link to read about the United Nations Declaration on the Rights of Indigenous Peoples.
https://www.un.org/development/desa/indigenouspeoples/
While the above stories of returned lands display some type of justice, there is still much more land in the US and globally that should be and eventually will be returned to the rightful owners.
Written by Shireen Musa
I’m deeply moved by this post highlighting the significance of Indigenous Peoples Day and the ongoing struggles faced by indigenous communities. It’s heartening to see that some progress has been made in returning ancestral lands to these communities, but it’s also a reminder of the long journey ahead. This post sheds light on the unique cultures and challenges that indigenous communities face, emphasizing the importance of protecting their rights and ancestral lands. The resilience and determination of indigenous people in reclaiming their rights and land is truly inspiring. I hope for continued support and progress towards justice and equality for all indigenous peoples worldwide. It’s crucial that we continue to support these efforts and raise awareness about the ongoing challenges faced by indigenous peoples worldwide. I believe the United Nations’ focus on international indigenous issues and the Declaration on the Rights of Indigenous Peoples are essential steps in the right direction.
The stories of Native American tribes regaining their ancestral lands, such as the Esselen Tribe’s return of Big Sur lands and the Wiyot Tribe reclaiming Duluwat Island, are heartwarming examples of progress. These successes underscore the importance of collective efforts and support from concerned locals and neighboring communities. However, these achievements also serve as a stark reminder of the enduring challenges indigenous communities face globally in reclaiming their lands and asserting their rights. The United Nations’ commitment to addressing international indigenous issues, as evidenced by the Declaration on the Rights of Indigenous Peoples, is a positive development, but there is still much work to be done to ensure justice and restoration for all indigenous peoples worldwide. These stories of returned lands should inspire us to continue advocating for the rights and well-being of indigenous communities and to work towards a more equitable future where land is rightfully returned to its original owners. It’s a collective responsibility to continue supporting these efforts and raising awareness about the struggles faced by indigenous peoples worldwide, fostering a world where their rights are respected and upheld.
It is disheartening and reprehensible that Indigenous people find themselves compelled to assert their rightful claims. Going back to the early 1800s, the Native American population witnessed the confiscation of their ancestral lands through various laws and treaties imposed by the United States. In recent times, a global movement has emerged to reclaim what was unjustly taken from them. The significance of regaining their land extends beyond mere property ownership for Indigenous communities; it encompasses aspects such as culture, relationships, ecosystems, social systems, and spirituality – elements that the United States seems indifferent to.
The restoration of their land is imperative for the survival of Indigenous communities, as they believe that caring for the land is intricately linked to their long-term prosperity and well-being. The ongoing Land Back campaign enjoys robust support from numerous members of Indigenous groups in both the United States and Canada. I firmly advocate for the United States to return land to Indigenous people across the country, recognizing its indispensable role in their spiritual and belief systems. For them, this land serves as a crucial inheritance and symbolizes social status. Denying them this fundamental aspect is, at the very least, an essential step to rectify the historical injustice of forcefully displacing their ancestors from their homelands.
Indigenous people have an intimate connection to their ancestral lands and natural resources. For many communities, their relationships with their land is not solely physical, but also spiritual and cultural.These lands have sustained indigenous peoples for centuries-long past of colonization, displacement, and shelter. But for centuries of displacement, and forced assimilation into American has impacted indigenous communities negatively, and many have been forced to be moved from their traditional territories. This has resulted in the loss of indigenous cultural heritage and identity.
Furthermore, indigenous communities have been working reclaim their lands and assert their rights to self determination. It is multifarious process that involves more than physical occupation of land but the revitalization of their traditions and practices the preservation of traditional knowledge, and the political sovereignty. Indigenous groups around the globe are utilizing different ways to accomplish this goal, including overcoming legal challenges and political advocacy. These efforts are led by indigenous youth who are encouraging their communities to speak out and demand justice, recognition and respect for their customs and culture. Reclaiming the motherland is critical part. As it is one step closer towards healing the wounds of colonialism, imperialism, and restring the balance among everyone and the natural earth.
This is an important topic that more people should research and talk about. This is something that is brushed under the rug but really takes a toll on people who have Native American roots and still suffer from their losses today. Native Americans were forced from their lands which led to many losses through their culture. These losses led to important places of their culture being destroyed and natural resources that they were using as a way of life. I definitely believe that we as a community should give back as repercussions of what was taken from Native Americans and this may involve giving them land and recognizing the effects that it has had on them as a community. This is a step in addressing the systemic oppression that occurs in America and may be able to help fix the other inequalities that Native Americans face such as education and employment and financial compensation.
After reading, I could learn that indigenous people of America encountered a number of struggles to achieve their own right on their property. Thanks to this opportunity, I could have an opportunity to research about their history as well, and I found out not only did they get stolen their land, but also they have been discriminated by law. It is tragedy that nobody pays attention to them to restore their rights. However, one hopeful thing is that they have struggled to reclaim their rights and property to the international society like declaration in United Nation Declaration on the Rights of the Indigenous People instead of giving up. Moreover, there were some local neighbor’s help to support them, and Wiyot Tribe were even able to get their land back in 2019. Judging from this example, solving this problem also requires a lot of attention from Americans. If you really want coexistence and harmony, I think Americans should come forward and make the government take action to solve this problem.
I agree that what Indigenous people have been able to get back so far isn’t fair. There are still many Indigenous people whose land has been taken and not given back. As the CNN article mentions they want their land back because it is a part of their identity. This is land where their ancestors lived, held ceremonies, and thrived before it was taken from them. Getting their land gives Indigenous people a part of who they are back. It isn’t fair that their Indigenous identity isn’t recognized if they don’t fit the federal definition of “Indian.”
The return of Duluwat Island to the Wiyot Tribe was a huge win for the tribe. The state of when they got their land back was terrible. As the CNN article mentions the Wiyot Tribe has had to try and return the island back to how it was. It is only fair to give tribes their land back because not only does it belong to them, but they will care for the land like no other group of people will. With climate change existing it is important for nature to be preserved.
I want to start this comment by playing guilty of ignorance about the whole issue. The first time I have ever heard of this controversy was earlier this year when someone in my Mediterranean Crossings class at FIT raised the issue of Mount Rushmore during a presentation. To me the huge monument representing the faces of the 4 presidents was nothing more than a commemorative landmark, but I soon learned that there was much more behind it. I was not aware in fact, that the land on which the monument was carved, also known as Black Hills, originally belonged to the Lakota indigenous group and it was taken away from its rightful stewards in 1877 when the US government found gold on the land.
After my classmate’s presentation on the controversy, we discussed whether we believed that the monument should be removed, and if the land should be given back to the Lakota tribe. The anonymous response was that yes, the land should be given back, and that that it is very important for these indigenous tribes to own a territory where they are free to enact their lifestyle and their traditions without feeling unwelcome or out of place. I believe that not only the US and the UN, but any nation around the world, should take active part in the issue and help make a change so that these tribes can have a place to call “home”. I was happy to learn in this blog entry about some small victories that the indigenous communities had over the past decade, but I believe that there is so much more than each country can do, as well as I believe that these communities should not have to fight this hard to take back something that was theirs to begin with!
I believe that the culture from Indigenous tribes as well as their local economies all across the world, have been ignored for quite some time now. The objective of European colonizers when they arrived in the Americas was to rip these groups from their beliefs and norms. These people have been pushed out of their homelands, deprived of their culture, and forced to live a nomadic existence away from the rest of civilization since then. These people have been neglected of all benefits from the country they were born in and they have been silenced for decades.
Some Native American reserves continue to be short in resources. However, with the help of media attention and organizations, these people are receiving various forms of assistance in order to reclaim their property and gain access to resources. Although there is still much to be done, it is encouraging to see how much exposure and assistance these indigenous groups have gotten thus far.
It’s sad to hear that the indigenous people are less and less. They also lost many rights and places to live, and those things were initially being owned by them. Besides, I feel like no one genuinely cares about and discusses these issues. We’ve always known this problem, but the government never put them in a priority. I believe their culture needs to be saved since it’s also a valuable asset to the country.
When I saw these articles, it made me think of the indigenous people in my hometown – Taiwan. Many corporates want to develop their lands and get profits, forcing the indigenous people to move out of their homes. Their voice is too small, so there are not many people can hear them and resonate. These people deserve better, and I think the best way to protect them is to let the government set the laws. Monitored by the people and the government, the indigenous people should receive more care and attention.
Indigenous communities around the world are marginalized from mainstream society and their local economies. When European settlers arrived in the Americas, their intention was to de-identify these groups. Since then, they have been marginalized from their lands, stripped of their culture and forced to live a nomadic lifestyle separated from the rest of society. These people are forgotten and neglected and not considered citizens of the land in which they were born. As a result of this displacement, many of them are trapped in a cycle of poverty. They have been treated unfairly and have been looking for ways to take back their power.
I think Indigenous peoples can commercialize the skills they have. Or learn about social business culture outside the community. Or promote Aboriginal skills outside the community while the return to the Aboriginal community is yet to be achieved. As influence expands, it becomes relatively easier to return to indigenous communities to reclaim their lands. Justice always prevails.
Few people are aware that Indigenous Peoples Day exists. A day to honor individuals who lived in these regions long before the colonists arrived. Unfortunately, Native Americans are not discussed as much as they should be in classrooms, despite the fact that their culture, beliefs, and customs should be discussed more. Also, the abuse that these people continue to face now, where their ancestral lands have been taken from them and not returned. As someone whose island was colonized and whose Taino ancestors are not recognized or mentioned in school, nor are they given the respect they deserve, I understand the struggle that these people face every day to ensure that their rights are respected and recognized not only by the government, but also by all Americans.
It is important to raise awareness about this since they took away what was rightfully theirs without their consent, and all we can do is return what was hurled at them one day. Use our voices, which are louder than theirs, to assist them in returning to the places where their souls belong.
Being from Canada, learning about indigenous culture is integral to understanding the nation as a whole. They were the original explorers and developed distinct communities across North America. It would be interesting to compare the level of knowledge Americans have regarding indigenous culture and history in comparison to other regions in the world. Moving here, I was slightly surprised at how little New Yorkers seemed to know about the land their very island was built on.
Looking abroad, there are so many more countries that have deep ancestral history. Indigenous groups in Northern Europe, South America, Asia and the Oceania region have spent centuries building their own systems of trade and barter. To think that the Inuit people were trading fur with the Europeans in the late 18th century, a long established trading route that now spans across the world. We really have taken a lot of lessons from Indigenous groups around the worlds and i believe it is equally as important to honour to educate children and youth from a young a age.
It is sad and outrageous that Indigenous people have to fight for something that is rightfully theirs. Dating back to the early 1800s , Native American was stripped of their land by the United States through an assortment of laws and treaties. In recent years, a growing movement to reclaim what was once theirs has begun to form around the world. Having their land back has nothing to do with just owning property for the Indigenous. It’s about the culture, relationships, ecosystems, social systems, spirituality. Things United States could care less about.
Having their land back is necessary for the survival of their communities. They believe that by taking care of the land would only help them prosper with their own long term well-being. The current Land Back campaign is well supported by many members of indigenous groups in both United States and Canada. I believe the U.S should give Indigenous people across the US their land back because it’s an essential part of their spiritually and belief system. To them this land is an important instrument of inheritance or a symbol of social status. Why deny them that? It’s the least they can do after forcefully removing their ancestors from their home.
This article really resonated with me as I grew up in upstate New York where I some of the land plots around us still have their indigenous names and spellings- for example, the diner near my house is called the “Taghkanic” diner which is an indigenous word meaning “forest wilderness.” I’ve always really loved this, as where I live is extremely woodsy and beautiful. It’s always bothered me so much the way we were taught about the “Indians” in school, since I learned how wildly inaccurate our lessons were. I will never forget the drawing we were shown of the “pilgrims” sitting around a table with indigenous people all holding hands celebrating thanksgiving. When I have children of my own, we will definitely be celebrating indigenous people’s day and making donations. I will make sure they have historically accurate information about what ACTUALLY happened. Thank you for drawing attention to this discussion!
Columbus Day was celebrated every year with a parade in my hometown. We were taught that Christopher Columbus first discovered America. We were made to believe he deserves a dedicated holiday for this achievement. Over the years, people have started to realize this proved to be false and bring awareness to the flaw of teaching this to students. Our education has been reformed from painting Christopher Columbus as an aspiring figure to showing the dark truths behind colonialism. Instead, Indigenous Peoples’ Day has replaced the traditional Columbus Day celebration. The International Day Observance will take place on August 9th this year from 9AM to 11AM.
There continues to be a lack of resources in some Native American reservations. However, with the help of media coverage and organizations, these groups are receiving all kinds of aid to rightfully take their land back and access to resources. There is still so much left to do, however, it is great to see how much awareness and help these indigenous groups have received so far.
This message resonates very highly with me as my family is partly apart of the Taino tribe. We especially should be shouting this news across the world as word of justice for the horrible years of atrocities have been inflicted on our people through the Canadian residential schools. Now then ever Americans and the rest of the world should recognize the wrong doings colonizers have brought onto the indigenous people of their countries history and even the wrong doings they still bestow upon us today. We reign for freedom and justice of our stolen land. To see the truth come to surface gives hope for progression and recognition of an ugly past.
I connected with this topic a-lot having grown up near Native American reservations in upstate NY and going to Native American Festivals and appreciating their land and cultural. I agree with the Esselen Tribe on getting their land back. One benefit to this agreement is that the land will not be used for commercially development and will continue to conserve the landscape. In addition to conserving they are also plan to host educational events to teach others about their cultural. I love the idea that their perceiving land for future generations of children and grandchildren rather than commercializing the land. In a recent article from NPR, has stated that Canada has created a new policy that will allow wIndigenous citizens to restore or reclaim their Indigenous names on government issued identification. This includes passports, drivers license. This will help tribal members who have lost their original Indigenous names to history.
https://www.npr.org/2021/07/04/1007737459/canada-indigenous-names-reconciliation-schools
It is such a relief that this topic is finally being discussed, it is long overdue. In primary and elementary school, Columbus was taught to us as a hero, and someone who sat with the “Native Americans” to have a big thanksgiving day feast where everyone was happy and joyful. I will be honoring Indigenous people’s day, because it is their land, not ours. They have suffered from disease, lack of education, discrimination, limited access to healthcare, etc, so simply giving land back is not enough. We must go further- make sure Indigenous People are getting access to the same services available to many other Americans. And we must be taught our history through an accurate lens, not through a nationalist and ethnocentric one.
This is a great topic; I feel that social media has played a large role in informing a wider audience about the devastating reality of Columbus Day and indigenous people. I found all of the articles very interesting and am happy to hear that some land is being given back to its rightful owners. I also agree there is still a lot more land that needs to be given back and over time as more people become aware it will slowly be returned. Unfortunately, this process will will not be quick and in the meantime I feel the United States should also work to raise economic and living conditions for indigenous people. Such as, helping indigenous people start their own businesses, improve school systems, and provide free healthcare. There are also small ways people can show their support for indigenous people, from signing a petition to purchasing clothes and food from native people, we should all be actively making an effort to do our part.
Indigenous peoples have deep spiritual, cultural, social and economic ties to their lands and territories, which are the basis of their survival and identity. However, in the process of colonization in many countries, indigenous peoples were deprived of the land and resources from which they had thrived for generations and suffered exclusion, marginalization, poverty, violence, and even death. Today, many indigenous communities face similar crises, such as rights violations, lack of resources, health problems, education problems, and discrimination. I believe that indigenous rights are those rights that have been developed in the light of the specific circumstances of indigenous peoples. This includes not only the most basic rights to subsistence and physical integrity but also the protection of their land, language, religion, and other cultural heritage, which are part of their existence as a people. This also reminds me of one thing, China is composed of fifty-six ethnic groups, many of which indigenous groups have been overdeveloped to form a commercial tourism base. Although this helps others to know more about the culture of this ethnic group, people should also respect the culture while visiting.
I was pleased to read about this topic because it has been something I have been interested in since very young. While Columbus Day was a day I couldn’t wait for as a child because it was a day out of school and also a day off from work as an adult, I was intrigued to learn how this came about and how the Native people portrayed this “holiday”. My opinion on this matter is that I agree that the holiday should be officially changed to “Indigenous Peoples Day” or also known as “First Peoples Day” because of the history behind their story due to Columbus. Currently 13 US states observe the day as Indigenous Peoples Day. Indigenous people are tenacious in their right of reclaiming what is rightfully theirs. They are true survivors. From genocide to discrimination these individuals suffered greatly, yet never gave up hope for their lands back. As some have fought and waited 250 years to get their land back shows that they were committed to fight for what was taken from them. They lost greatly due to diseases, warfare and massacres. They should not have suffered these things out of greed from others. This topic makes me very sad because it shows that mankind can change their behaviors against violence because it was a choice for them to use it for their own benefit.
I had not had the opportunity to learn deeply about indigenous peoples as I grew up in South Korea with a basic understanding of their long-suffering history and remarkable legacy. Over this past year, I have heard more about indigenous peoples and attention to their rights from the news.
I especially enjoyed reading the article from CNN regarding Big Sur, ancestral lands, returned to the Esselen Tribe. The picture of their sacred land was breathtakingly beautiful, and it is a relief to learn that 1,200 acres of the land are now in the good hands of the Esselen Tribe to conserve the natural habitat. The Esselen Tribe is the rightful owner of the land and I am sure nature welcomes their comeback.
It is important to respect the culture and rights of indigenous people in the context of racial equity and inclusion. With gaining awareness and progress through the United Nations Declaration on the Rights of Indigenous Peoples(UNDRIP) and other conservancy groups, I hope it will turn out to be more than paying reparations to indigenous peoples, more toward comprehensive and systemic awareness.
According to Merriam-Webster, native is a synonym to indigenous, meaning “original or occurring naturally in a particular place.” The colonizing of America began with the pillaging of lands belonging to Native Americans so it makes absolute sense that these tribes are fighting to reclaim their territories. Many of these pieces of land are sacred to the Native American culture and therefore have more true meaning to them than capitalists for our economy. For so many years, Columbus Day was celebrated in American history, when that was a day of pain for Native Americans. In fact, most of America’s history was built on the backs of those indigenous to the lands they colonized i.e. America, Africa, and some islands of the Caribbean.
Imagine you are a peaceful person who meets someone outside your home, you welcome them with open arms and they seemingly embrace you just long enough to bring their friends to rob you of everything you have? Then many years later, not only is the colonizer who started it all is given a holiday to recognize the day all was stolen from your ancestors but you are also still fighting to regain control of your home. It’s an absolute insult.
The Esselen and Wiyot tribes regaining control of their lands are setting profound precedents in the ongoing fight for all the Native Americans to not only reclaim their rightful property but also the reverence that they deserve. Indigenous Peoples’ day is symbolic but it’s a small piece of what is truly owed by America to the Natives.
Indigenous People have continued fighting to reacquire their ancestral lands since the 1600s. One success story involves the Esselen Tribe. In 2020, after nearly 250 years, the northern California Indian tribe purchased nearly 1,200 acres in the Big Sur. This land had been taken from them by Spanish explorers. But this deal would not have been possible without the Western Rivers Conservancy (WRC). This organization aids in finding long-term owners to protect the natural environment and well-being of large pieces of land in the Western United States. As my studies have taught me, it is so important to not only give back to people but to invest in them. As the saying goes: Give a man a fish and you feed him for a day. Teach him how to fish and you feed him for his lifetime. Ethically and economically, protecting the rights of Indigenous People is for the greater good. I participated in a short-term faculty led study abroad program in Australia in 2016, and the Indigenous People of Australia, also known as Aboriginals, have faced the same challenges as those of the United States. We must all come together to see that the good of one is the good of all.
I have such respect for indigenous people and the International Indigenous Expert Group which meets at the UN. Through more research, I discovered that the Indigenous Peoples and Development Branch of the UN works within the Division for Inclusive Social Development, which belongs to the Department of Economic and Social Affairs. Perhaps an entire department or brand dedicated to indigenous peoples would allow for more action. However, the Department does organize an event every year with the influence from the Permanent Forum on Indigenous Issues. In 2020, the event theme was “Indigenous Peoples and Pandemics.” You can read more about this event here: https://www.un.org/development/desa/indigenouspeoples/egm-indigenous-peoples-and-pandemics.html
Obviously, this is crucial research. In the face of a global pandemic, we must provide rights and services to native populations — who continuously receive less government assistance and often have less resistance to modern diseases.
After my research, I’m curious as to how the international trade community can work with indigenous groups. I believe all industries can find a way to help certain communities and causes. Perhaps international traders could work with and consult indigenous expert groups to adopt policies against importing materials which are significant to the population. For example, I know that both sage and palo santo are of great importance to many native peoples. An alliance between an indigenous organization and an international traders organization could help to prevent the (legal, but harmful) importation of sage. In terms of the pandemic, an alliance could also advocate for the fair treatment and extra precautions owed when working with indigenous groups or operating in native geographic regions.
For centuries, the indigenous people have been taken advantage off and must fight for their rights. It is fair that they are given back their land, there are too many criticisms and rulings by the immigrants and government to claim sovereignty over territories that do not belong to them. Those territories belong to the Native Americans, it is their homeland, and they were living here before anyone claimed to discover them. It is such an inhumane act by the European, the British and the US government to invade, capture and force them out from their land. I think that the logic of discovery is a lame and ridiculous claim in this issue because clearly people were living there when the immigrants claimed that they discovered the land. If the Doctrine of Discovery claimed that the natives had a homeland but no dominion over it, clearly, they discovered it before the immigrants did, but the government, enforced the Doctrine of Discovery law, to force the natives American off their land and sell it to the white settlers. The white settlers also defeated them in battle and forced them to adapt to their culture. In September 2017, the UN established the (UNDRIP) an international instrument to represent the indigenous people, hopefully they will get the satisfaction that they rightfully deserved.
The indigenous people deserve better than what they have received in recent years. Realistically, they were the first people here and the fact that they have been stripped from their land is not okay and will continue to be an issue. Yes, there are finally things being done to correct the wrongdoing of todays society but there is still a lot of room for improvement. However, knowledge is power and the more we know about how we can help, the more proactive we can be. Indigenous peoples main priority is their land and without it they can’t operate; there is no livelihood, happiness, or way of being. A way of avoiding conflict is by consulting them when it comes to their land us. A lot of times they are undermined by a superior power, when things are being developed on their land. Its almost as if their land isn’t their land, their home isn’t actually theirs. Thats no way to live. Another way to be proactive is by applying the law to ensure land rights are protected. This means that even though there are surface level laws to protect indigenous peoples land, we have to follow up and make sure they are actually being seen through.
I really enjoyed reading this New York Times article on Indigenous People’s Day. The rights of Indigenous People has been an ongoing debate and discussion. They were the originators of America who have a spiritual and ancestral tie to the land. Their love and connection to the land of America leads to them worshipping and revolving their lives around the luxury of nature. Divinity of nature isn’t something they take for granted or exhaust. They value that they are one of many species that share this earth. This is the counterargument of what those who invaded and stole their land. In their eyes, the land wasn’t made for them to dominate unlike how present day Americans are. Throughout history, Americans and colonists have dominated the American lands by ripping Native Americans out of their civilization, leaving them dislocated. It is important for them to at least have one day where their voices are heard and recognized. Rather than, to praise Christopher Colombus who initiated the colonization of America that cost the lives of the majority of the Native American population. America is built off the enslavement and death of Native Americans and African Americans.
Over many centuries, the indigenous people have relentlessly fought for their rights and for the ownership of their ancestral lands. Being the marginalized groups in this society, the wish of taking those historic sacred tribal lands back could never be fulfilled. Although there have been many activisms, the indigenous people in the Americas are still finding a way for being heard. One of the efforts was the petition to rename ‘Columbus Day’ to ‘Indigenous Peoples’ Day’. The petition has finally achieved some success. Since 2019, there have been five states and a number of cities and towns formally recognized Indigenous Peoples’ Day and celebrated it simultaneously with Columbus Day, while many cities have still disregarded this recognization.
Indigenous people have always suffered from injustices since their land was conquered when Christopher Columbus arrived in America. They have been marginalized from their lands, stripped from their culture and forced to live off a nomadic lifestyle separated from the rest of society. People are sought to praise the Italian native for discovering the new continent and being one of the main founders of the American continent as we know it today. Even now, when society is more aware than ever of the mistreatment that these people have received for centuries, tribes still struggle to regain their spots in society, as they are still considered minority and often looked down upon. I find changing the holiday from Christopher Columbus day to the day where we celebrate the lives of the Indigenous Americans something that should have been changed a long time ago, and should followed by everyone. The United Nations Declaration on the Rights of Indigenous Peoples that was adopted in 2007 helps to establish minimal standards for the well-being of Indigenous People all over the world. This is a good start, but there is plenty more to be done to help these people regain their lands, not only in the United States, but all over the world.
Over this past year I have had the opportunity to learn more about indigenous peoples and I would love to see Indigenous People’s day celebrated across our country. I have learned more about land justice and restoration and agree that it is time to give Native Americans their land back. The only compensation for stealing land, is land. In many cases, the United States Government has attempted to give millions of dollars to indigenous peoples in compensation for stealing their land, but the aid has been rejected. For example, in the Black Hills case, the Lakota rejected the settlement, refusing to touch $106 million that the government offered them saying that their land was not for sale. It should also be noted that the Sioux are among the poorest people in America.
When talking about giving land back, the Native American activists who are fighting always make note that it doesn’t mean people must leave, but rather that there be a shift in who has the decision-making power that was taken from the indigenous people. They want to live in balance and harmony and work with people and collaborate, rather than sweep the rug from underneath us like we did to them. Land justice and restoration looks like abolishing the system that stole the land in the first place and then continued to maintain the suppression through generational poverty, unethical environmental practices near to where they live, and over criminalizing indigenous people as well. These lands were not empty, but they are lands that have always been stewarded and cared for by other people.
After reading the United Nations Declaration on the Rights of Indigenous Peoples the fight for these rights is obvious and essential. These rights state that indigenous people are equal to all other people and should be respected as such. Due to their long-suffering recognizing and supporting these rights is key when it comes to investors and international trade. Evaluating and taking the development of Indigenous regulations as an aspect of international investment and trade thus challenges communities and investors who must negotiate this new territory. Therefore, many agreements have taken place in order to protect Indigenous peoples rights. Agreements such as the North American Agreement on Environmental Cooperation (NAAEC), environmental law regarding the Indigenous rights and ISDS under NAFTA, must all be closely examined before implementing international investments or trade.
It is a known fact that indigenous communities around the world suffer marginalization from mainstream society and their local economies. When European settlers reached the Americas, their intent was to strip these groups of their identity and establish a way of life weighed down by religion and violence. Since then, these communities have disappeared behind the curtain of mainstream commerce and culture. Forgotten and ignored, these individuals are not considered citizens of the land they were born on. Although these developed countries have tried to pay reparations by distributing land and handing out tax exemptions but that is merely enough. They have fell back into the gutter of society due to this displacement causing many of them to fall into a cycle of poverty. What happened to them and what is currently happening is unjust but what can be done to enhance their socioeconomic situation. From my own experience I’ve seen many indigenous families beg for money on the streets of Colombia, these women mostly speak minimal Spanish and have no education. I think the ideal solution would be to provide these communities with opportunities of employment and education. The skills they have could turn into business, all it would take is for these groups to learn the business culture of society outside of their communities. If these communities will not be given their land back in its entirety, I think they should be given the chance to take their communities forward through education, commercialization, and political input.
have never thought about or known about Indigenous Peoples Day. It is a day we can remember who was the owner of the land that we are living in, be thankful and hear their voices. According to the article since 1600s, many Native American Tribes have been struggling to get their ancestral lands back but only few have been successful still having many to go. I am from South Korea and we had a history of when Japan took over Korea for like 35 years and at that times, there was nothing we could do and we have a wound until these days. From this history I can understand indigenous tribes struggle and I think creating the day to not forget and hearing their voices are really important.
I agree with everything that is being said it is their land and we should at least try to compensate them. After some research, I found the United Nations Declaration on the Rights of Indigenous Peoples (UNDRIP) is a move in the right direction and will help indigenous people in not only keeping their culture and lands intact also will also allow them more say in matters that concern them. But there is one issue I do have with the UDNRIP. And it is that it is non-binding. So while it is a good guideline and nations who adopt it do show intent to implement it, it means that they are not bound to do so and if there are parts of UNDRIP which the government violates, there is not much recourse for the indigenous people. In Professor Musa’s class, we are learning how to market in global regions, and in order to conduct business with foreign entities, there must be some level of respect.
It is so important to protect the culture, rights, and dignity of indigenous people. Not only should their land be returned to them, but they should also receive priority fair trade. Before being colonized, these humans cultivated a life full of rich tradition and culture in which we all benefit from. Whether it’s farming or crafts, indigenous businesses should be supported financially by the government. Economically, this would be for the greater good of all. Supporting through finance, trade education and marketing, would help them indigenous businesses thrive. Importers and manufacturers should be introduced to indigenous businesses and should know about their products and services first hand. This is the right thing to do. Done correctly, indigenous businesses can become leaders in some industries while supporting their families and creating new legacies.
Indigenous people of America also known as Native Americans have faced numerous struggles in gaining the respect they deserve. These are the colonies that lived on this land before any Europeans landed on North America. Starting with the British colonizing in the 1600’s and the nations continued growth for centuries, over time the Natives were outnumbered and stripped of what was theirs first. But in the early 1900’s the first Chief of a tribe attended to speak at the League on Nations in Geneva. From them on they have been fighting for what is rightfully theirs. They are definitely more respected now than ever, and the results of their endless efforts are starting to pay off too. In 2000 Congress passed The Native American Business Development, Trade Promotion, and Tourism Act. Which offers numerous assistances to enhance the economies of Indian tribes. One of the most important things I believe on their agenda is recovery of their land. One of the more recent recoveries way by The Esselen Tribe in northern California. They were able to purchase 1,200 acres of land that was once inhabited by natives. It’s very important that they have a fair chance to grow into what they wish. Who knows what this country would be like if Natives were able to fully develop for centuries? It could very well have been a completely different country if not world, ethically and economically. The way they preserve their land is vital and something we should take note of too. Also their cultures and beliefs aren’t consumption based like much of the developed world is now. It’s very important to treat Natives with the respect they deserve and remember this country once belonged to them.