unitex@rubbs.fidonet.org (unitex) (10/05/89)
Forwarded-From: JFJBO@ALASKA.BITNET
THOUGHTS ABOUT NATIVENET, 10/3/89
I, like most suburbanites, am a victim of the myopia of a typical American
education, at the end of which I knew almost nothing about the Native
Americans who had settled the land before long before our Eurpoean
ancestors. Nor did I have any understanding of how brutally and
deliberately we took advantage of them and ultimately overwhelmed them
with our technology, religion, education, and voracious appetite for
expanding markets. It is with an increasingly painful awareness (reading
book after book on the subject and speaking directly with Natives) that I
have come to appreciate what we have done to Native America, and what
we have lost because of it.
When I say what "we" have lost, I am talking about middle America, not
Native America. What Natives have lost (through our taking from them) is
obvious: land, culture, history, their lives. Perhaps some would say the
word "lost" is disrespectful, in light of their efforts to sustain their
culture despite the onslaught on European influence. But it does emphasize
the gravity of the problem: at one point there were about 1,000 Native
nations in North America, very few of which are intact today.
What "we" non-Native folks have lost is the cultural diversity that offers
different perspectives on living, perspectives which in my opinion we
desperately need today to deal with some our more overwhelming
problems. In my estimation, there are two qualities in particular which
20th century America needs in the worst way right now which Native
America incorporated into the bedrock of their culture: inherent
environmentalism and the ability to manage and sustain families.
Both strike at the heart of two of 20th century America's gravest
problems:
1) an almost total disrespect for nature, the feeling that we are in
competition with it, that it is something to be overwhelmed and conquered
rather than something which we can learn from, co-exist with, be
nurtured by. All of the Native writing I have read, regardless of nation,
refers to "earth the mother." To harm one's mother is obviously wrong and
ultimately self-destructive. Yet until recently, to point this out was to be
labeled "an extremist." Fortunately, discussion about the destruction to
the earth through technological progress is no longer just the domain of
extremists. It is actually mainstream and conservative to talk about the
ecological disaster that we have brought upon ourselves in the last two
centuries. This is just the first step in the long journey of restoration.
Native America did not have environmental problems. It was not in
its nature to create such problems. There was no progress independent of
what happened to the earth. To harm the earth was to harm oneself. This is
a sensitivity that is almost totally absent in mainstream American
culture.
2) The deterioration of family, relationships, and the social fabric. Again,
Natives had the ability to manage families, to create a sense of belonging
for everyone in a community. There was no Welfare Dept. because everyone
had a place, a way to be sustained and nurtured. Compared to an increasing
divorce rate and the social fallout from our inability to sustain
relationships which are nurturing and positive, our culture seems
primitive.
From a very selfish point of view, "we" should be looking at how Native
culture developed and maintained these characteristics. We now need this
knowledge for our very survival.
Lest I be accused of over-romanticizing Native culture, let me assure the
readers that I understand that many Native American nations incorporated
practices that modern times would find objectionable, such as the taking
of slaves, social systems that at times resembled caste systems, etc.
Perhaps a complete discussion would focus on these aspects too.
But for now, the issue is how can electronic mail be used to help Native
culture and perhaps teaching mainstream culture. I envision two ways.
NativeNet should be used to help the Native community pool resources-
perhaps posting to the listing relevant legislation, conferences, books,
ideas, or anything that might help the whole Native community. In this
sense, it would benefit Native cultures who, through networking, could act
as a more unified voice.
And secondly, NativeNet could be used to raise the consciousness of non-
Natives, regarding the topics above.
In fact, maybe both are the same subject.
Incidentally, I am aware that by using something as high tech as
electronic mail to help solve problems of a traditional culture is ironic. I
note this, though I have not solution to it. I am also aware of the fact that
I am addressing all of Native America as if it were one homogeneous body.
This is not the case, as different nations have different ideas about how
to address the issues that face them.
I look forward to hearing from Native Americans on this distribution list
who of course will be able to offer the most informed direction for our
discussions.
Jason Ohler
Director, Educational Technology Program
University of Alaska Southeast
JFJBO@ALASKA
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