Native Americans: from Mistreatment to Differential Treatment

Abstract

Abstract: Native Americans also widely called American Indians are the aboriginals of the whole continent of America. Unlike other minority groups living in the United States of America (USA), they have experienced every phase of European settlements, from the 14th century to the present. Proud of their rich diverse cultures, most Native Americans used to live in tepees, specific conical tents, in wide open spaces surrounded by majestic mountains, rivers and giant trees, and in total harmony with the fauna. When the Europeans started settling permanently in New England (Maine, New Hampshire, Vermont, Massachusetts, Connecticut, Rhode Island), Native Americans taught them how to raise crops and how to hunt games. However, the number of Native Americans decreased drastically because of imported diseases, war and coercion tools as the Europeans’ civilizing onslaught kept destroying their peaceful ways of life compelling them to live on reservations all across the USA. While exploring the way Native Americans have influenced the American society, this paper aims to demonstrate that the reservations policy is no preferential treatment but just a different way of treatment from a long eradication process. Keywords: Native Americans, reservations, Thanksgiving, USA.