A Comparison Of Navajo And Taoist Philosophies
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A 6 page comparison of the philosophies of two very different yet very similar peoples. Emphasizes the importance of nature and harmony to both cultures. Bibliography lists 7 sources.
Filename: NavTaois.wps

The Mystique of Turquoise
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An 8 page paper discussing the enduring allure of turquoise. Were we to have a national stone in the US, certainly turquoise would surely be it. It has been used from times of prehistory for trading and as talismans for good health and good fortune; it has fueled the latest craze of all things Southwestern. Stephen Dweck, a modern-day designer, calls turquoise a modern amulet. The Navajo Indians are most noted for their artistry with turquoise, but many of the Native American tribes traded with it and held it dear long before the first white man invaded their lands. Bibliography lists 11 sources.
Filename: KS-tourq.wps

'Unspeakable Sadness' vs. 'Disposition of Nebraska Indians' / Theft of Land & Culture
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A 12 page overview of the differences in approaches to ecology which were responsible for the atrocities and wrongs perpetuated on the American Indian in regards to their land and culture by white settlers and governments invading Nebraska and California. Based largely on the books by David J. Wisehart and John Walton. Bibliography lists 2 sources.
Filename: Unspeak.wps

Columbus and His Time: The Beginning of the Decimation of Native America
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A 5 page discussion of the impact on Columbus' voyage in 1492 on the indigenous inhabitants of the Americas. Emphasizes that Columbus' motivation was money and fame not any real concern for the land or the peoples he would encounter. Concludes that Columbus' journey was the beginning of the end for pre-contact Native American cultures. Bibliography lists 2 sources.
Filename: PPnaColu.wps

Contemporary and Historic Issues Confronting Native Americans
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A 6 page overview of the historic and contemporary issues confronting Native Americans. The author condenses these issues into three main categories: health, land and leadership. Background information is provided for each category and the reasons for its importance are emphasized in terms of statistics and historic and future applicability. Bibliography lists 6 sources.
Filename: PPnaIssu.wps

Native American Land Rights: The Battles of the Western Shoshone and the Dann Family
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A 15 page discussion of the concepts of Native American sovereignty, property rights and land ownership. Outlines the government policies towards these concepts and the history of U.S. dealings with Native Americans in regard to them. Uses the plight of the Western Shoshone and the Dann sisters in particular to illustrate the rights which have been violated. Bibliography lists 9 sources.
Filename: PPNAshoL.wps

Paul Bernal - An American-Indian & Hero
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4 pages on Paul Bernal-- a genuine Native Indian and historical figure presented in McCutchen & Gordon's '[The] Taos Indians and the Battle for Blue Lake.' The writer describes Bernal's heroic qualities, admirable leadership skills, and many accomplishments in helping his people to retain their sacred land which was threatened by the United States government. No Bibliography.
Filename: Paulbern.wps

Review / Book Focuses Upon Native Indian Technology
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In this 5 page review of Jerry Mander's 'In The Absence Of the Sacred,' the writer looks closely at sections dealing with technology of Native Indians prior to the arrival of Europeans and contrasts (i.e., land cultivation, food storage, shelter, etc;) their nature-orientated society with the greedy, technology-based society of Americans today. No other sources cited.
Filename: Sacred3.wps

The Dawes Act of 1887
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3 pages in length. In the past century with the end of the warfare between the United States and Indian tribes and nations, the United States of America continued its efforts to acquire more land for the Indians. About this time the government and the 'Indian reformers' tried to turn Indians into Americans. A major aspect of this plan was the General Allotment or Dawes Act of 1887 which ended in 1934. The long term effects of the program were not as helpful as many had planned it to be, and in fact the effects of poverty as a result of this government interference can still be felt by the tribes today. Bibliography lists 3 sources.
Filename: JGAdawes.wps

Native American World View
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A 5 page essay discussing the Native American society and conservatism. Issues discussed include world view orientation, impact of the Western traders and other influences on Native American world view and concluding remarks regarding the validity of the conservatism argument. No sources are listed.
Filename: NatAmCo.wps

Native American Survival as it Relates to Alexis de Tocqueville’s Dire Predictions
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A 6 page discussion of Native American survival into contemporary times even in the face of great odds. Notes the perceptions of Alexis de Tocqueville on his trip to the U.S. in 1831 and asserts that even given the dire predictions Tocqueville made, the Native American has managed to not only survive but in many cases to prosper. Relates the economic success of the Mississippi Choctaw as testament to this assertion. Bibliography lists 6 sources. PPnaTocq.rtf
Filename: PPnaTocq.rtf

Marriage / A Comparison Of Three Indigenous Cultures
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A 9 page overview of marriage in three indigenous cultures from three separate geographic areas: The Inca, the Navajo and the Masai. Provides general information about marital responsibilities and ritual. Bibliography lists 9 sources.
Filename: Mrgritua.wps

Gender Roles in Incan Society
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An 8 page overview of the role of women in Incan society. Discusses gender roles and concludes that although some societal responsibilities were dependent on a person's gender, Incan women were an integral part of Incan society and a part which is more aptly viewed as equal rather than inferior. Bibliography lists 11 sources.
Filename: Incgen.wps

The Decline of a Stabilized Civilization: Incan Life Before European Intervention and After the Fall of Native Control
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This 30 page paper considers the impact of the European intervention in Latin American and the influence on Incan society. This research study maintains support for the thesis that European intervention was not a positive force and resulted in the decline of the already stabilized Incan civilization that resulted from the fall of native control. This research study also incorporates the perspectives of current history students regarding the transformation of Incan culture following the European intervention, and considers how this might impact the sense that current history is based on a revisionist ideal. Bibliography lists 15 sources.
Filename: MHincan.wps