Only the Earth Shall Endure: Thoughts on Native American Survival

Year 2020, Issue: 54, 9 - 25, 01.11.2020

Valerian Three Irons

Abstract

Our native nations of the Americas are survivors. We have survived over 500 years of attempted assimilation and genocide. Manifest
Destiny is only an excuse to take our resources and conduct ethnic
cleansing. Nations have survived in spite of oppression, imperialism,
invasion, and capitalism. Our history and cultural memory differ greatly from that of the general American society. Information about Native
Americans in American history books is minimal and for the most part
inaccurate. The indigenous nations need to be brought into the twenty-first century, into the new millennium to overcome major problems
they face such as poverty, insufficient health care and education, crime
and treaty violations that plague their homelands. We need to be seen
as here and now, not in the skewed view of the past. We are resistant to
joining mainstream America because to do so would mean to lose the
things that mean the most to us, and that is our culture. Cultural survival means protecting what we deem of value as a society. Value is what
has allowed us to live in harmony with our Mother Earth and all living
things. Mother Earth will be just fine. Humankind is the one you need
to worry about and pray for. Throughout time Mother Earth has seen
species come and go. When one is out of balance, they are not long for
this world. As the NuEta people say “Only the Earth Shall Endure.”

Keywords

Genocide, survival, Bering Strait, George Catlin

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