Course Reflection: Native American Destruction and Re-settlement

This reflective essay examines the historical destruction and re-settlement of Native Americans in the United States. It explores the impact of territorial conflicts, forced migrations, and the Indian removal policy on Native American populations and cultures. The essay delves into the author's personal reflections on the historical facts learned, including the struggles of the Cherokee tribe and the injustices of the removal act. The author's perspective shifts from an initial acceptance of government policies to a critical understanding of the pain and suffering inflicted upon Native Americans. The essay highlights the importance of involving Native Americans in decision-making processes and the need to protect their cultural heritage. The author concludes by expressing satisfaction with the course and its contribution to their knowledge and understanding of this crucial subject.

REFLECTIVE ESSAY
(Destruction and re-settlement of Native Americans)

TABLE OF CONTENTS
REFLECTION.................................................................................................................................1
REFERENCES................................................................................................................................3

REFLECTION
At the end of fifteenth century, settlers have arrived America, at that time 100% Native
American population were living here but today there are only 1% Native Americans accounted.
The major reasons of this dropping figure is territorial conflicts, re-settlement etc. (Native
American Timeline of Events, 2018). People whose ancestors live outside the boundaries of Asia
were considered as real North Americans immigration but they were destroyed by US
immigration norms. Re-settlement of their culture has taken place and they were not allowed to
follow own culture at their own land. Many Native Americans tribal nations have started
developing colonies but eventually they were pressurised to surrender their lands (Destroying the
Native American Cultures, 2018).
During the course I have learnt about historical facts about Native Americans. At that
time Indian removal policy was made by government and Indians were forced to leave their
domain and move to Oklahoma (Belfer, Ford & Maillet, 2017, pp. 57-70). This forceful
migration was really painful because at that time people have suffered from exhaustion, diseases
etc. (Healey, 2016). I got to know about struggle of Cherokee tribe and their harassment by
settlers. Earlier to that I believed that formation of Indian removal act was right decision but I
realised that for implementing this regulation people were threatened badly that was completely
wrong. I understood their situations and pain this has changed my perception about these
individuals. My belief has changed by knowing about historical facts of re-settlement of Native
Americans, Till the end of 1842, there were only few Seminole who were allowed to live here
and rest people were pressurised to leave their homelands (Rompalo & et.al., 2017).
I looked these regulations as per today’s condition but actual this study has changed my
perception completely, I got to know that indigenous population have faced inferior culture at
their own homelands. I really feel that how government can take such bad judgement for its
population without involving them in decision making process because such judgments have
drastically affected people of nation. I was not directly involved in Indian land claims but when I
read about it then I actually found very different perspective of history of Native Americans.
If I had been born into this specific era of American history then my life would not be so
easy. I had to struggle for protecting my culture and land as well. At that time, people suffered
from many diseases, if I had taken birth at that time then I would be from one of these people
who suffered from critical illness (Gorsevski, 2018, pp. 160-175). I had to bear drastic pain that
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might impact on my mental and physical condition. I always had to live under threaten
conditions. During this course, I have addressed experience of Native Americans and re-
settlement issues that faced by them during that era. My historical knowledge has been
developed and my point of views towards these individuals has been changed completely. I do
not agree with the judgement that have been taken by US government at that time, they would
have to involve Native Americans in decision making process and had to provide them safe
place. Pressurising people to leave their culture and adopt another believes which I perceive that
it is completely wrong judgement. I am satisfied with this course because it has helped me in
improving my knowledge about this subject matter. Involvement of each person is the great
approach that that I believe could be used at that place because this would support in getting
optimistic results and protecting lives of individuals.
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REFERENCES
Books and Journals
Belfer, E., Ford, J. D. & Maillet, M. (2017). Representation of Indigenous peoples in climate
change reporting. Climatic Change. 145(1-2). 57-70.
Gorsevski, E. W. (2018). Native America Persists: Pocahontas versus Trump. Journal of
Multicultural Discourses. 13(2). 160-175.
Healey, G. (2016). (Re) settlement, Displacement, and Family Separation: Contributors to Health
Inequality in Nunavut. Northern Review. (42).
Rompalo, A. & et.al., (2017). O07. 5 Predictors of responsiveness among American Indian
adolescents to a community-based hiv risk-reduction intervention.
Online
Destroying the Native American Cultures. 2018.[Online]. Available through <
http://www.loc.gov/teachers/classroommaterials/presentationsandactivities/
presentations/immigration/native_american.html >
Native American Timeline of Events. 2018. [Online]. Available through <
https://www.legendsofamerica.com/na-timeline/ >.
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