LEARNING PLAN

Personal Change and Learning Plan



Table of Contents

Part 1: Stereotype, Prejudice and Discrimination against Native Americans1

Native Americans1

Treatment of Native Americans in U.S. Culture and Society3

Part 2: Critical Personal Reflections6

Origin of Beliefs6

Participation in Oppressive Behavior7

Forces Supporting Discriminatory Behaviors7

Part 3: Learning plan9

Overall goal9

Objectives10

References12

Personal Change and Learning Plan

Part 1: Stereotype, Prejudice and Discrimination against Native Americans

Native Americans

As the name suggests, they were the original inhabitants in the Americas. Their peaceful lives ended with the arrival of the Spanish conquistadores such as Columbus and de las Casas. They chronicled their travels across islands such as Cuba and Haiti, and the treatment of the natives there. Not only were tribes wiped out from disease, but they were murdered and enslaved by these white invaders. Then Europeans begin to settle and established the United States. Indian tribes were pushed farther and farther west as Americans pursued their manifest destiny, and were shuffled from place to place on marches such as the Trail of Tears. Still, there are tribes that are not recognized in the United States.

In the 1950s, Native Americans were able to gain citizenship because of the support they received from the federal representatives for more than two decades. However, during the same decade, the termination of federal services took place by the Bureau of Indian Affairs and the responsibility of Native Americans was given to state governments. From 1952 to 1956, Bureau sold 1.6 million acres of Native Americans land to various developers. After this incident, some political organizations such as the American Indian Movement (AIM) held protests and tried to gain attention of people towards the problems of unemployment and political rights that Native Americans were suffering. For instance, the gathering of twenty-five Native Americans took place in Plymouth, Massachusetts on Thanksgiving Day in 1970. They were dressed in traditional funeral clothes and assembled in front of a statue of Massasoit, the Wampanoag Chief who helped colonists in 1621, and also buried Plymouth Rock under heap of sand.

When the efforts turned more violent, the control of South Dakota's Wounded Knee took place in February 1973 by the American Indian Movement. It was considered as a forceful occupation of the state to protest against local government that remained till 71 days and even caused two deaths, twelve injuries, and arrests of more than 1,100 people. Such protests affected the dilemma of Native Americans from the national perspective. The preparation of long-term plans occurred to improve the situation, however, most of the times they were non-existent. During the 1980s, state government applied some rules and regulations for various activities such as fishing, hunting and high-stakes casino gaming to create some enjoyment for the Native Americans. There was a feeling among some people that these rights hurt Native Americans rather than helping them. So, it is quite clear now that the Native Americans need to prepare appropriate future plans for them to have a good life in the coming days.

There is no doubt that the population of Native Americans has decreased in the recent years ...