Essays and Research Papers on Native Indian Studies

A 4 page biography that looks at the life of Leonard Peltier, Native American activists who has been held unjustly imprisoned by the US justice system for over twenty-five years. The writer gives the details of his life and imprisonment, as well as this philanthropic work from within prison. Bibliography lists 4 sources.

5 page discussion of the importance of religion in culture. Discusses the separation of monotheism and polytheism and compares the belief structure of Christianity and the Inca. Bibliography lists 3 sources.

A 6 page paper discussing important concepts in Indian spirituality / religion. The writer features quotes from a number of Native Americans and reliable sources. Bibliography lists 5 sources.

A 5 page overview of two items of extreme importance to some Native American cultures, the Sacred Pipe and peyote. Describes the use of each and stresses that these are items of religion which deserve the same respect shown for any other religious object such as a crucifix or Star of David. Bibliography ...

A 5 page paper that explores and examines the theme of the reconciliation of the heritage of Native American politics and religion with that of the heritage of the politics and religion of European colonization in twentieth century literature. Discussed and compared are John Neihardt's 1932 publication of Black Elk Speaks: Being the Life ...

A 15 page discussion of the problems which confronted the Cherokee people during the turbulent years leading up to the Trail of Tears. This paper suggests that while many Cherokee had converted to Christianity, their native religion undoubtedly continued to serve an important role in Cherokee culture and the way they coped with the ...

A 5 page overview of the views of Sigmond Freud on organized religion. Illustrates the complex ceremonial and religious life of the Pueblo people using the Hopi ceremony and belief extensively in examples. Suggests that Freud would view these beliefs not only as an illusion but also as a delusion, that the Pueblo ...

A 12 page paper examining the realities of Native existence, as opposed to the view of largely white male anthropologists and historians have taken over the years. Native women were intensely involved in their tribes’ religions, as well as in nearly every other aspect of their societies. Women’s involvement had less to do ...

A 7 page paper discussing how the issue of religion among Native Americans has come full circle in the past century. The federal government officially banned some tribes' most sacred religious rites - the potlatch of the Cree was subversive because it redistributed wealth among members - forbade the use of native languages and removed entire tribes from ...

An 8 page paper discussing the ease with which the Hopi religion and oral tradition has persisted over the centuries. 'Wrong headedness' is a condition that the Hopi are not to have. They are to adhere to the admonishings and warnings of ages to come given by the ancient ones. Because the oral traditions ...

5 pages in length. Native American culture revolves around spirituality and religion; therefore, it is not surprising to find that their strong religious beliefs had a great influence upon how their social structure – inclusive of marriage customs – were established. Bibliography lists 5 sources. The writer discusses past and present Native ...

A 5 page paper that supports the belief that "Anglo-Indian conflict resulted from vast cultural differences separating Indian and Anglo societies." This notion is supported by Mary Rowlandson's "The Sovereignty and Goodness of God" and demonstrates the way in which religion played a role in the cultural differences that divided these societies. No additional ...

A 5 page overview of the various differences that have existed both historically and in contemporary times between these cultures. The author emphasizes the differences in societal structure, regard for natural resources, and religion. Bibliography lists 4 sources.

A 7 page overview of the importance of Maya game and myth. The author contends that game and myth alike provide incredible insight into social customs, history, religion, spirit concerns and numerous other aspects of the people from whom it is spawned. Includes a one page Roman Numeral outline. Bibliography lists 5 sources. ...

A 6 page overview of the laws that have been implemented to protect Native American antiquities and human remains. The author traces the legislative effort from the 1906 Antiquities Act through the Archaeological Resources Protection Act, the the Native American Graves Protection and Repatriation Act of 1990, and the California Native American Graves and ...

This 6 page paper provides an overview of this issue. The Indian Reorganization Act of 1934 was an Act to conserve and develop Indian lands and resources; to extend to Indians the right to form business and other organization; to establish a credit system for Indians; to grant certain rights of home rule to ...

A 4 page discussion of dichotomy that existed between precontact law and government in Native America and law and government as it was viewed by Europeans. The author contrasts natural law and legal positivism. Bibliography lists 4 sources.

A 6 page review of some of the early history of California as it relates to missionary interaction with Native Americans. This paper explores the work of Father Geronimo Boscana, Fr. Jayme, Fr. Serra, and Douglas Monroy. Bibliography lists 1 source.

This 5 page paper briefly discusses Amerindian history, cultures and accomplishments. Bibliography lists 5 sources.

A 10 page overview of the Ojibway, a Native American people also known as the Chippewa that inhabit both parts of the US and Canada. An annotated bibliography lists 8 sources.

The history of Peru certainly didn't begin with the Spanish invasion. Before the soldiers from Spain came in search of gold, land and the glory of God, there was a large and prosperous indigenous population known as the Inca. This 5 page paper gives a brief history of the invasion of Peru by the Spanish. Bibliography lists ...

This 8 page paper discusses the history of the Trail of Tears in regard to the Chicasaw and Choctaw Nations. History, brief overview, conclusions drawn. Bibliography lists 5 sources.

This 13 page paper discusses the history of the Hetch Hetchy Valley with emphasis on its place in Native American history. The paper seeks to persuade readers that the O’Shaughnessy Dam should be dismantled and the valley returned to its original state. Bibliography lists 6 sources.

An 8 page overview of Blackfoot mythology and how it has change over time from an oral phenomenon to a written one. The author points out common elements in Blackfoot and other Native myths as well as in Christianity. Blackfoot mythology is a reflection of both history and the manner in which that ...

10 pages in length. The Popol Vuh is as critical to the history of the Native Americans as any book of recorded history would be to an entire circle of peoples. It is, indeed, what the Native Americans have looked upon as their holy book of the Quiche Indians of Guatemala. Translated, ...