In contemporary America, many Native American tribes encountered numerous obstacles. They were forced to experience harsh identity conflicts while being demanded to abandon their cultures and values. The British, newcomers to the land, did not accept appearance of the natives. They forced Native Americans to learn a new language and change their appearance if chose to remain in their homes. British even forced natives out of the land, and to give up their kids.
The Euro-Americans, or British, were very fond of the land on which the natives lived, and would go to great lengths to get that land. Laws, such as "The Indian Removal Act-, were passed which state that United States will provide land to Native Americans outside of the thirteen states, and will provide security in exchange for the land on which they live now. However, if Native Americans refuse to give up their land, the President is lawfully allowed to remove them to any other unoccupied land (from The Indian Removal Act, pg 84). Chief Joseph, from the Nez Percé tribe of Washington State, gave a speech in which he told about his tribe's experiences: suffering, wounds, even deaths caused by their relocation to new, unknown environments (Chief Joseph, pg.87). .
There were times when Native Americans chose to stay in their land at whatever cost possible. Unfortunately, that cost was the loss of their culture, language, even their identity. To stay on their land, in their homes, natives were forced to learn the new language of the land - English. Language is a very important aspect of their culture, it defines heritage. When it is taken away from the culture, the tradition of the culture, even identity is lost (Simon J. Ortiz, 124). Not only did Native Americans have to learn a new language, they were also forced to change their appearance. But no matter what they did to themselves: changed their hair, dressed differently, learned a new language, or even gave up their believes, they were still considered as outcasts (James Welch, pg.
