Native American Justice

Religiosity

Since the beginning of time, there have been indigenous people living on every continent. As time passes, many of these indigenous people migrate to other places. As migration occurs not all, if any of their indigenous views were accepted in their new homeland. This was the start of the clash of views held in regards to religion, land, animals, rights, responsibilities, and sacredness. The lives of the non-Indians and the Indians contradict each other immensely.

It is gathered that non-Indian populations and those not indigenous to the United Stated have a sense of patriarchy and a right to things. Valuable resources are squandered by many companies like Peabody Coal leaving the Hopi nation with little to no springs or sacred water gained from the nearby aquifer. The Devil’s Tower is constantly visited with rock climbers year round, causing conflicts of interest between the Lakota nations and the climbers. The Wintu nation, in the Shasta, CA area, has lost sacred land to a ski resort. Non-Indians seem to have monetary gains and ambitions that drive their “right” to the resources of this planet.

The Indians have roamed and lived off this land for generations. They view this planet as sacred. Its resources are very valuable and precious. The Indians have long believed in having a responsibility to take care if the resources and the planet on which they live. In fulfilling their responsibility to the earth, Mother Nature will in return, provide for their needs. They preserve their history through ancient petro glyphs, cultural traditions, sacred shrines, and much more. Indians are without a doubt, resilient nations that have been put through things no culture should ever be faced with.

Throughout the 2001 film, “In Light of Reverence,” the hardships and the turmoil the Indians have faced here in the United States are brought to light. It is through this fil, that one would be presented with both sides of the picture of religious freedom in this country. Viewing it in hopes of seeing the justices and injustices, one could easily depict the injustices the Indians have been served by non-Indians. There is not much respect, honesty, and trust found between eh non-Indians and the Indians. From all the strife they have been dealt year after year, it is completely understandable why the Indians will not tell the non-Indians where sacred lands and sacred shrines are for fear of them being destroyed. It is with great sadness that many nations that have lived longer than the American race, finds little or no faith in within the non-Indians.

Too many injustices have been serves and our society has done very little to rebuild the relationship. We view ourselves dominant to anybody and everybody, belittling those around us. Non-Indians believe in rights while Indians believe in responsibility. Non-Indians value money and possessions while Indians value life, family, community, and earth. Indians treat others with respect and justice. Where is that in all of our society?