Learning Objectives

  • Explain the changing population characteristics and common cultural characteristics of Native Americans and Alaska Natives.
  • Summarize and explain the changing relationship between Native Americans and the U.S. federal government, especially the changes in laws and policies and their effects, and the dynamics of Indian resistance and protest.
  • Understand the most critical issues and trends that have influenced relations between Native Americans and the larger U.S. society in recent decades, including
    1. struggles over natural resources,
    2. attempts to bring jobs to reservations,
    3. broken treaties,
    4. gaming, and
    5. prejudice and discrimination.
  • Analyze the contemporary relations between Native Americans and whites using the concepts of prejudice, discrimination, assimilation, and pluralism, especially in terms of
    1. acculturation,
    2. secondary structural assimilation, and
    3. primary structural assimilation.
  • Assess the overall situation of Native Americans today based on the concepts and information presented in this chapter.