indians :: essays research papers

James Luna, A inseparable American Man, is an insightful, cut the bullshit, view of the modern Indian culture. I direct with Lunas viewpoints as I have seen many of the situations he describes with his art to be true to life. I have spent a comp whizznt of measure in Northern Canada fishing with my brother and father. The argonas we visit are predominantly Indian reservations. Having spent quite a bit of time getting to know these types of towns and peck, I have grown aware of some(a) of the many bothers that surround the modern day reservation lifestyle. It is true that close to people have romantic and Disneyland-ish ideas about what it means to be a modern Indian, the most of which are complete fantasy. The reality behind the situation seems to be the exact opposite. The legal age of reservation towns are dirty, poor, and run-down. Many of the people have alcohol and drug related problems starting at a young age. At a quick drive through one might assume he was passing through another slum. at that place are no teepees, no headdresses, and no rituals. For the most part there is only poverty. Unless the town is lucky enough to have a casino, the majority of the people live month to month on their reparation checks. This is where I believe, as do many of the Indians I have spoken to, the problem lies. The idea of reparations sounds good enough in theory. Pay people natural covering for what was taken from them long ago. The long-term effects of reparations though tend to be devastating to the Indian culture. Why would giving people free bills be harmful? Quite simply, handouts deprive people of pride, a backbone of equality and belonging, and especially motivation. The people I have talked to all consume the same thingChildren growing up know that they dont have to run for if they dont want to. That tends to be the cat valium attitude of the reservation Indian. This also encourages what Luna calls, Wannabees, to try and get in on the action for a chunk of change. And lets not forget the cognise tendencies toward alcohol and addiction that makes it even easier to drink and pass the time, rather than having to work and entrepreneur.