History of early discrimination and violence
Before the colonization of North America, Alaska, and Hawaii, indigenous peoples occupied these land without worrying about potential invasion. During the early 14th century, Catholic monarchs and the Pope created doctrines and pased Papal Law which marked Native Americans as "savages" and "heathens". Because of these laws, Europeans justified military campaigns to invade and occupy America. Europeans came into the Americas and savagely massacred entire indigenous groups. Due to Papal Laws and doctrines, Native American culture and religion was disregarded because its history is kept orally, traditionally presented to the youth by older generations. [1]
Contemporary History of discrimination
A department of the federal government, the Board of Indian Commissioners forbade the practice of Native American religion with the "Rules for Indian Courts" passage in 1883. The aim of the United States government and the Board of Indian Commissioners was to convert as many Native Americans as possible to Christianity, with the aim of erasing their religious practices. On June 2nd, 1924 that Native Americans were recognized as citizens, though equality has never truly come. Even after the bill passed, they were not allowed to practice their religion openly. It was not until the passage of the American Indian Religious Freedom Act in 1978, that Native Americans were given federal protection to practice their religion. However, within the past 30 years, indigenous people have been fired and denied unemployment benefits because they partook in a ceremony their ancestors had been practicing for centuries. [1] Specifically, the Pueblo people are fighting for the recognition of the San Franciso Peaks in Arizona, which have spiritual significance to them, to not be developed into ski resorts. [2]
portrayal of Native americans in MEdia
To provide more background into how Native culture and religion has continued to be discriminated against, portrayal of indigenous peoples within pop culture is necessary. Within film and the popular culture, Native Americans have been depicted as drunks and savages. Stereo-typically, Native Americans are shown wearing the feathered regalia, war paint, living in tipis, the list goes on. This was popularized with Buffalo Bill in 1883, which toured around America showing off their "tamed Indians" alongside a rodeo show. More contemporary stereotypes of Native peoples can be found in theatre and Hollywood. Native actors struggle with the acting opportunities, and can sometimes get placed into a role that is offensive to their culture. Recently, in Adam Sandler's The Ridiculous Six, more than a dozen Native Americans walked off of the movie set because of racist jokes. Western films also depict the stereotype of indigenous peoples wearing war paint, feathered headdress, and riding on horse back. Because of this, Native American actors have a hard time finding work in roles that aren't offensive to their tribal culture. Many Navajo people have been cast in roles that depict them on screen as living in tipisor pueblos, when in reality the Navajo are farmers who live in hogans. The continual stereotyping of Native Americans has arguably led to the justification of discrimination against their religious practices.[3]
Text Citations:
[1] Gueno, Michael. "Native Americans, Law, and Religion in America." Oxford Research Encyclopedias, Oxford, November 2017. Retrieved from: https://oxfordre.com/religion/view/10.1093/acrefore/9780199340378.001.0001/acrefore-9780199340378-e-140
[2] Indian Country Today. "Sacred Sites: San Francisco Peaks." Indian Country Today. Indian Country Today, 21 June 2011. Retrieved from: https://newsmaven.io/indiancountrytoday/archive/sacred-sites-san-francisco-peaks-Hpeyj4HwD0q9_pdkm_YkLQ/
[3] Higgins, Elly, Julie Schreiber, and Claudia Scott. "Why the Mainstream Media Keeps Screwing Up in Representing Native Americans." 30 April 2017. Retrieved from: https://medium.com/@casoberlin/why-the-media-needs-to-do-a-better-job-representing-native-americans-465d488448c1
[1] Gueno, Michael. "Native Americans, Law, and Religion in America." Oxford Research Encyclopedias, Oxford, November 2017. Retrieved from: https://oxfordre.com/religion/view/10.1093/acrefore/9780199340378.001.0001/acrefore-9780199340378-e-140
[2] Indian Country Today. "Sacred Sites: San Francisco Peaks." Indian Country Today. Indian Country Today, 21 June 2011. Retrieved from: https://newsmaven.io/indiancountrytoday/archive/sacred-sites-san-francisco-peaks-Hpeyj4HwD0q9_pdkm_YkLQ/
[3] Higgins, Elly, Julie Schreiber, and Claudia Scott. "Why the Mainstream Media Keeps Screwing Up in Representing Native Americans." 30 April 2017. Retrieved from: https://medium.com/@casoberlin/why-the-media-needs-to-do-a-better-job-representing-native-americans-465d488448c1