Studying the History Behind The Absolutely True Diary of a
Part-Time Indian Sherman Alexie English 10, Ms. Stanton
Slide 2
Diversity between tribal groups is great in language, culture,
histories and governments. Individual diversity within any group is
great. In The Absolutely True Diary, Junior is from the Spokane
Reservation in Wellpinit, Washington Like most other cultures:
Slide 3
The Absolutely True Diary is primarily set on the Spokane
Indian Reservation in Wellpinit, Washington 2,441 Spokane Tribal
members (January 2006). Wellpinit, WA: official home of the Spokane
Tribe. The 157,376 acre reservation was created in 1881.
Previously, the Spokane Tribe lived on over three million
acres.
Slide 4
The beliefs of all Plateau Indians held many commonalities with
religions of other North American Indians. The Spokane believed in
a Great Spirit. There also were such atmospheric spirits as the
wind and thunder, and numerous supportive animal spirits that
people sought for personal guardians.
Slide 5
Roman Catholic and Protestant missionaries entered the region
to convert the Native Americans and with the intention of improving
their lives (mostly interested in religious conversion).
Missionaries deliberately sought to extinguish the natives'
religion and customs 1778 - Continental Congress: Reaffirms 1763
British policy (tribes accorded independent nation status; lands
west of the Appalachian mountains are Native American; royal
government must approve all land purchases). 1787 - Northwest
Territory Ordinance: Opens the Midwest for settlement; declares
U.S. government responsible for Native American property rights and
liberty.
Slide 6
In 1810, the Spokane began major trading operations with white
men. The Northwest Company's Spokane House (trading post) was
established on their lands. However, smallpox, syphilis, influenza
and other diseases, unwittingly introduced by the white man, proved
to be disastrous to native peoples, including the Spokane. Entire
villages were wiped out.
Slide 7
Native American children were taken away from their tribes and
families to boarding schools in the East. Forced to abandon
language, cultural practices, religion, and customs to become
Americanized Common justification: Kill the Indian to save the
child
Slide 8
Indian Removal Act (1830) This from southeastern states and
their relocation to the teract called for the expulsion of all
Native Americans ritory west of the Mississippi From 1860 onward,
the Spokane shared the fate of numerous other tribes in the
Northwest and elsewhere. Land-hungry homesteaders poured into the
Plateau region and forced off the original inhabitants.
Slide 9
1887 - Dawes Act: Reservations divided in tracts, allotted to
individual tribal members; surplus land sold. 1898 - Curtis Act:
Terminates tribal governments that refuse allotment to individual
tribal members; surplus land sold. 1906 - Burke Act: Eliminates
Native Americans right to lease their land, with the intent to
force Native Americans to work the land themselves.
Slide 10
Indians from different tribes were concentrated onto
reservations, which compromised their tribal identities. That
happened to the lucky ones; many tribes were completely annihilated
in militaristic assaults, from disease, or from the loss of
land-based sustenance.
Slide 11
Historical Summary: FYI Only
Slide 12
In 1500 Native American population stood at 10,000,000 and by
1900 declined to less than 250,000. Current population counts stand
around 2.8 million. Approximately 25% of the Native American
population live on reservations with approximately 75% living in
Urban areas There are slightly over 557 recognized reservations in
the United States
Slide 13
l By 2002 the Native American and Alaska native population was
2.8 million. The Native American birth rate is almost twice the
national average. Half the population of Native Americans live on
reservations that provide inadequate economic support. l Chronic
unemployment is a serious problem. l Some tribes have succeeded
through their own efforts.
Slide 14
Economic development - high rate of unemployment and poverty
Tourism and the double edged sword source of income but also a
source of degradation Cottage industries Income from mineral rights
Casino gambling
Slide 15
l The average life span in some tribes is 45 years. Nationally,
the average life span is about 10 years less than the average. l
Deaths by suicide among Native American males aged 15 to 24 is 50%
greater than among the general populations youth. l The most
serious problem facing Native Americans today is alcohol abuse. l
Poor, but with large tracts of isolated land, Native Americans in
recent years have seen their reservations recommended as
toxic-waste dumping grounds.
Slide 16
High rate of: 1. Alcoholism and mortality 2. Under nutrition 3.
Tuberculosis and death 4. High rate of teenage suicide Lack of
access to health care
Slide 17
Under-enrollment The under-financing Language barriers
Educational Attainment - drop out or pushout rate is 50% higher
than for African American or Latino students
Slide 18
Today, many people in the U.S. are oblivious to Native
Americans problems and consider them quaint relics of the past;
others find them undesirable and some want their land and will use
almost any means to secure it. Of all the minorities in the United
States, according to government statistics on income, Native
Americans are the poorest of the poor.
Slide 19
Native American Land and Communities Today (2000).