June 2008
insideBritannica
get inside: Native Americans — Then and Now

 
The indigenous peoples of the United States and Canada have contributed significantly to the politics, histories, and traditions of both countries and to world culture and world history. Go inside Britannica to see new and updated articles on the traditional cultures, histories, and current affairs of these peoples.

Native Americans Today
In the late 20th and early 21st centuries, the state of Native American peoples has changed considerably. Major developments have occurred in relation to the welfare of children, religious freedom, cultural heritage law, economic development, and participation in the global indigenous community.

Cultural Traditions
Native American peoples are often grouped according to a combination of geography and culture. Be the first to experience Britannica's newly updated content on North America’s 10 major culture areas:

Peoples of the American Arctic
Subarctic Peoples
Northeast Indians
Southeast Indians
Plains Indians
Southwest Indians
Great Basin Indians
California Indians
Northwest Coast Indians
Plateau Indians

Are You Curious About Contemporary Native American Life?

Did you ever wonder…
What is the difference between a tribe and a band?

What is the difference between the terms American Indian, Native American, and First Nation?

Why do some tribes have so many different names?

What happens at a pow wow?

Do people still engage in the sun dance?

Why do Indians live on reservations? What are living conditions like there?



Sovereignty and the Law

In recognition of their inherent political sovereignty, or right to self-government, the treaties and royal proclamations that were made during the European colonial conquest have guaranteed Native Americans a variety of legal rights that are unique among North American ethnic groups. Many legal documents from centuries past continue to affect the daily life of Native Americans, including:
• The Proclamation of 1763
The Treaty of Paris (1763)
• The Quebec Act (1774)
The Peace of Paris (1783)
The Northwest Ordinances (1784-87)
• The Indian Removal Act (1830)
• The British North America Act (1867)
• The Numbered Treaties (1871-1921)
• The Dawes General Allotment Act (1887) (Henry Laurens Dawes pictured)
• The Indian Reorganization Act (1934)

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The Iroquois Confederacy
The creation of the Iroquois Confederacy.
Acquired from Vast Video
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Wilma Mankiller
Wilma Mankiller offering her views on economic policies that would best assist Native Americans, at the Economic Summit in Little Rock, Arkansas, on December 15, 1992.
Acquired from Vast Video
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Inside Blog
Seed Banks: The Seeds of Salvation
by Gregory McNamee

On a low bluff overlooking the Missouri River, a Mandan farmer sows a handful of seeds in a bed of sandy, barren soil. In three months tall rows of long-tasseled white corn will obscure his view of the river valley. The crop will be resistant to most of the diseases that affect... (read more)


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In 1492, the population of North America was much more diverse than was the population in Europe. When measured in terms of language groups--the most common scholarly measure of past ethnic diversity--there were more than 50 American Indian Language families and 300-500 languages. In contrast, Europe had only 2 language families and some 40-70 languages. Today, immersion schools -- where the full curriculum is taught in an indigenous language -- are on the rise.


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