Abstract this paper will explore the histories of both Native American and African American cultures and their interactions with the dominant white population in America. Influential historical events for each minority group will be highlighted along with the efforts of each group to try and attain equality with the white majority. Cultural characteristics of each group will be compared and contrasted as well as contemporary issues including land claims and inequalities in the justice system. Finally, impacts of these issues will be discussed in their relation to the classroom.
A Comparison of Native American and African American Cultures Native American and African American cultures each have had their own long rich histories from before the white majority arrived in America. Each group has had their own unique languages, familial relationships, social relations, music and dance traditions, they have shared many common experiences over the past 400 years (Grim, 1995).This paper will compare the cultures and histories of African American and Native American people and their long and often bloody interactions with the white majority in America. Influential historical events for each minority group will be highlighted along with the efforts of each group to try and attain equality with the white majority. Cultural characteristics of each group will be compared and contrasted as well as contemporary issues including land claims and inequalities in the justice system. Finally, impacts of these issues will be discussed in their relation to the classroom.
Native American History.
What is often referred to as the Native American population is actually comprised of over 500 unique tribes (Jackson, 1995). From the earliest white European settlers, the relationship between the native population and the white European population has been acrimonious. There had been a feeling among the early white settlers to try and civilize the "savages" by bringing them Christianity (Kimmey, 1960).