Past & Present

Migration Theories:

The Land Bridge

There are many theories on how the Native Americans got to North America. Some People believe that water was trapped by glacier’s causing sea level to drop. When the sea levels dropped it uncovered land that had been under the water.  It is believed that a group of hunters crossed the land bridge to North America. Other people believe that the hunters used boats to get to the Americas. There are so many more theories but these are the two biggest ones.

Pre Columbian:

• In the Pre Columbian era Native Americans lived in a variety of places. 
•  The Native American in the grassy and drier areas were usually hunters and gatherers. The hunted elk, deer, and other prairie animals. They also gather and grew fruits and vegetables. Like pumpkin, berries, corn, potatoes, squash, beans and much more. These Native Americans made clothing our of animal skins and another resources they could gather. They tented to live in wigwams and tepees. 
• There were the Native Americans that lived in cold and frigid places. These people had to hunt and fish for food. They wore many layers of  warm animal furs and were usually nomadic. 
• The Pre Columbian Native Americans have influenced society and culture today in so many way. They have contributed so much to us. 

Life today

Life today for native Americans is somewhat hard. There are a lot of issues with the tribes. The Native Americans can face several problems and issues living on a reservation. Native Americans face larger issues.

Economy/ Poverty:

• Jobs on reservations are lacking, on average 7 out of 10 adults are unemployed
• 28% of native Americans are living under the poverty line
• Native Americans make up 2% of the U.S. population, but make up 8% of the homeless population
• Many Families can not afford heat and use wood stoves to heat their homes

Heath:

• On average Native American life 5 years less than other Americans
• Native American Teens are 2.5 time likelier to commit suicide than others
• 20% of Native Americans death is alcohol related vs. the 5% for Americans not on a reservation
• Native American women are raped, abused, stalked and murdered more than any other group in the country
• Infant death rates are 60% higher living on a reservation
• Pine Ridge Reservation has diseases that are found in third world countries like malnutrition, drug abuse, diabetes, fetal alcohol syndrome, and high mortality rates

Other Facts:

• Native Americans are worried their traditions will fade, because more and more native Americans are living as average Americans and not practicing the way of their culture
• School can be different on a reservation. Many times they try to incorporated the culture and language into the lessons
• Alcoholism has become a huge concern in some reservations. Tribal police in the Pine Ridge Reservation estimate 80% of crimes are alcohol related 
• Most houses these Native Americans are living in are old and worn, not to mention the large families living in such small houses

Houses at the Pine Ridge Reservation

Accomplishments:

Crazy Horse Monument as of 2012

• All though things today can be rough for the Native American culture but there are a lot of things this culture should be proud of 
• In 1940 construction for the Crazy Horse monument started
• Charles Curtis was the 31st vice Charles Curtis president of the U.S.A. He was also the first native american V.P.
• Jim Thorpe was a gold medalist who was named athlete of the century
• There are many other successful Native American Athletes such as Billy Mills, Lewis Tewanima Hopi,  John Meyers Cahuilla, and so many more Olympians and athletes
• There are also alot of native american actors and actresses today. Taylor Launter, Anne Hathaway Danny Trejo, Jjessica Simpson, Gil Birmingham, Johnny Depp, Demi Moore, Megan Fox, Ian Somerhalder, and Carrie Underwood all have native american descents.
• November is Native American Heritage Month 
• The Native American culture has contributed and influenced life today in so many different ways