Contemporary Native American Community

2 Pages 398 Words

The contemporary community reflects those who are finding new pride in their native heritage, and Native Americans who are newcomers to this area and who represent the pan-Indian community. The Native American community has struggled with oppression, imposed disruption, and insecurity since the arrival of European settlers. Individuals were being shipped away to Oklahoma reservations as late as the 1950s. As recently as 1964, it was illegal for a Native American to own property. In spite of these hardships, vestiges of communities survived and their heritage is re-emerging with renewed pride.
There are numerous elders in the state who offer guidance for the community and are the bearers of older traditions, including traditional crafts and oral history. A strong reverence and protection of the elders is common among Native American communities. Numerous individuals in the Native American community are involved in outreach activities, including presentations at schools. These presentations usually include song, dance, and other Native Americans heritage traditions. One strong tradition in the Native American community is narrative or storytelling.
Traditional arts and crafts are practiced widely in the Native American community, and numerous skills have direct links with the past through the older generations. A common understanding is that the traditions cannot be bought or sold; therefore, Native American craftspersons in general do not attempt to commercialize their work.
Recent interest has brought a revival and widespread adoption of the traditional Navaho powwow. There are currently numerous powwows, which serve to bring the statewide community together with the nationwide community of Native Americans. In general, these events represent a pan-Indian community more so than a regional community.
Distinct tribal traditions are maintained and presented at some regional powwows, and the local Native American community presence c...