Introduction

In this course we have learned about various Native American groups that live in the southwestern United States. We have examined their relationships with the environment, their backgrounds, their ancestral lifestyles, and how their cultures have changed and continue to evolve. We have considered how European contact and the policies of the United States government have impacted their lifestyles and examined some of the major issues faced by tribes today. Today, nearly five centuries after the arrival of Europeans, most southwestern Native Americans retain a strong sense of tribal identity and connection with the landscape of their ancestors. At the same time they are American citizens who also function within the external (state, national, and international) world in which they live. In this module, we examine the status of southwestern Native American tribes in the 21st century, and compare their efforts to achieve self-determination with those of other indigenous people throughout the world.

Picture shows native american dancers at at the annual Paiute tribe Pow Wow held in Las Vegas, 2015.

Native American dancers at at the Annual Paiute Tribe Pow Wow held in Las Vegas, 2015.

http://www.shutterstock.com/s/Paiute+pow+wow/search.html?page=1&thumb_size=mosaic&inline=197877389

 

Required Reading

 

Major Concepts and Terms

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