Why Isn't Native American History Taught More in America's Schools?
As a person of Native American heritage, with ancestry from both my mother's and father's sides, I often reflect on the rich and diverse history of Native Americans that is largely overlooked in America's educational system. Our ancestors arrived in North America around 15,000 years ago, and over millennia, they developed a vast array of communities, societies, and cultures.
Before the arrival of Christopher Columbus in 1492, the population of Indigenous peoples in the Americas was estimated to be over 70 million. There were around 562 tribes inhabiting what is now the contiguous United States. Some of the largest tribal nations included the Arikara, Cherokee, Iroquois, Pawnee, Sioux, Apache, Eskimo, Comanche, Choctaw, Cree, Ojibwa, Mohawk, Cheyenne, Navajo, Seminole, Hope, Shoshone, Mohican, Shawnee, Mi’kmaq, Paiute, Wampanoag, Ho-Chunk, Chumash, and Haida.
A tribal map of pre-European North America, Central America, and the Caribbean, created by Michael Mcardle-Nakoma in 1996, serves as a crucial historical document for those of us with Native American blood. This map provides a Native American perspective on the continent's history, showcasing the tribes during their "Glory Days" before significant contact with Europeans began to alter their way of life.
The time of contact varied greatly among tribes. For instance, the "Glory Days" of the Maya and Aztec ended long before many interior tribes faced European influence, with some resisting until almost the 20th century. At one point, Native peoples spoke nearly 4,000 languages and numbered in the tens of millions.
The European conquest of the Americas, which began in 1492, led to a dramatic decline in the Native American population due to epidemics, hostilities, ethnic cleansing, slavery, and policies like the Indian Removal Act of 1830. It is estimated that around 60 million Native Americans were killed during this period.
When the United States was established, Native American tribes were viewed as semi-independent nations, often living separately from white immigrants. Despite this, their stories and contributions are often marginalized in American history education. According to the 2020 Census, American Indians and Alaskan Natives now account for about 9.7 million people.
Given this rich and complex history, why isn't it more prominently featured in America's schools? Understanding the full story of our country requires acknowledging and teaching the history and contributions of Native Americans. By doing so, we can foster a more inclusive and accurate representation of America's past, honoring the legacy and resilience of its Indigenous peoples.
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