The U.S government stands for freedom for all, yet it does not always embody that action, even for the people living in it. Even in America's infancy, as Americans first spread into and transformed western America, they encountered Native Americans. In response to these new people, the settlers took their land, and forced Native Americans onto reservations. As Western Expansion continued, the U.S government began assimilating Indigenous people, although from the 1930s to today, the government started ignoring their effect on Native Americans, and Indigenous welfare became collateral damage to their attempts for profit.
School Code of Fort Bidwell Indian Boarding School in 1910
This school code of Fort Bidwell boarding school in Modoc, CA reflects outlines rules and punishments created to separate children from their tribes and assimilate them into American culture as part of a federal plan to obliterate Indigenous culture
Navajo Coral Right before Livestock Reduction Program of 193
In the 1930s, the U.S government decided the Navajo reservation had too much livestock, so they created a program called the Livestock Reduction program. Unfortunately, the U.S government failed to consider the devastating effects the program had on the Navajo life, as livestock was the keystone of Navajo life.
Oil Spill of Keystone Pipeline
This oil leak originates from the Keystone oil pipeline, which crosses through sacred indigenous land, and passes under the water source of the Standing Rock Sioux. The Keystone XL’s permit was issued directly from the president in 2016, and exemplifies the disregard the U.S government has historically had towards Native American welfare.
The U.S government has always treated Native Americans terribly. But, there is still hope. Native Americans are gaining recognition, mostly in the form of land acknowledgements, although recently the Biden Administration revoked the permit for the Keystone XL pipeline, a huge step towards making amends. Although it is not enough, not yet. Beginning with Westward Expansion, the U.S government tried changing and eradicating Indigenous culture, and in the 1920s began simply ignoring Indigenous welfare, and putting profit over the lives of Native Americans. That being said, the nation is making steps, and right now, baby steps are the most one can hope for. Baby steps will never bring back those loved, heal trauma, or reunite families, but maybe, just maybe, baby steps can prevent more deaths, trauma, or separated families, and, eventually, restore the prosperity of Native Americans.
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