Ethnic Groups and Discrimination

The United States is considered to be a true blend of cultures. I, personally, am not Native American but my daughters are a quarter Indian. Their father is mixed with several races which includes Cherokee Indian. I believe that the Native American culture is the most intriguing because of their struggles they faced upon migrating to America. Ultimately, I want to learn as much as I can about Native Americans, not only for my own personal interest, but so my daughter’s can be as educated as possible about their heritage and where their ancestors came from.

Based on genetic evidence, it is believed that Native Americans descend from people who migrated from Siberia across the Bering Strait during the 1400’s. According to research, Native Americans arrived in the United States during the ice age period using a land bridge crossing from Northeastern Siberia into Alaska. Once they migrated into Alaska, hundreds of different tribal groups settled throughout continental United States.

This Census Bureau map depicts the locations of Na...

English: collage of public domain images

Early Indian Languages of the USA

Thus, began their journey of prejudice, segregation, and racism in America.

The Native Americans faced many challenges once the Europeans moved into the country. They were mostly affected by territorial expansion. Incoming settlers were able to settle rapidly amongst the immense area in which Native Americans had settled because they felt that Native Americans initial connection was friendly and cooperative and they could take advantage of them. English had slightly better technology than Native Americans but Native Americans knew territory and how to extract a dependable living.

Diseases also had a major advantage of European settlers because Native Americans had no immunity to common European diseases. Many of the European diseases stemmed from longEthnic Groups 3contact with herd animals such as cows, pigs, horses, and goats. Native Americans needed only minimal or sometimes even no contact with settlers to...