The Effect of Settler Colonialism on Indigenous Peoples
1) What do non-Native folks need to do, moving forward, to better understand the experience of indigenous peoples in this nation? How do we fully confront that history?
As non-Native people, we need to educate ourselves on the truth behind what the Native Americans experienced. We need to help eliminate the stereotypes and myths about Indigenous people that result from misunderstandings and discrimination. We still have so much to learn about the Indigenous culture, and need to reeducate those around us. It's not fair to discriminate and form false accusations against a group of innocent people. We can confront this history by forcing school systems to educate their students truthfully about Native people's stories.
2) How do we address the stereotypes, misperceptions, the “twistory” that has been passed down among non-Native Americans about this population?
First off, we need to apologize and show appreciation for Native people, because of what we as a society have put them through. Although an apology can't make up for what they have been through, showing a better understanding and that we do truthfully care, can in fact go a long way. We need to listen to their stories and hear the torture that they endured. After watching the in class video, I along with other students were able to hear what some Native people experienced. Never before in school had I known what they had been through. School systems today go around the truth, and if it hadn't been for the video I still wouldn't have known the truth. Not only hearing what happened, but then listening to individuals tell stories from their perspective was very eye-opening.
3) How do we address the fact that Native peoples were murdered for who they are—the very definition of “genocide”? What apologies and amends do we need to make, if any?
An apology from the Nation should in no way be accepted or even close to make up for the mistreatment that Native people faced. Native people have been targeted and killed based off of their culture. They were treated horrible and often slowly beaten to face even more pain. Slowly people today have been advocating for Native people who may not have as big of a voice, and have taken steps in helping them. A woman named Deb Haaland banned the word "squaw" as a derogatory term that will never be used to name a place in the United States. Small steps like this should continue happening today, to help advocate for Native people.
4) How can non-indigenous folks become allies so that Native peoples become fully integrated members of society? What concrete actions can we take to move forward and build a nation with Native peoples?
To make the biggest change and help them, we as non-indigenous people need to listen to their voices. We don't specifically know what advice to give them or how exactly to help them, since we didn't experience the troubles that they did. We need to take a step back and help build a nation with Native people. From the documentary it explained how non-natives got upset when they were asked to be removed from the conversation that the Native American's were having. Personally, I feel that this wasn't ethical of non-natives since they don't know what they are going through and can't get mad if they aren't ready to share their experiences, this is when we step back. We need to realize when it is time to step back and when it is time to be ready to listen.