For every cause there is a group of people who organize themselves so that they can find support for the issue. It doesn't even have to be a serious social cause. Some groups focus on, for instance, their support for or mutual dislike for a celebrity or a sports team. Often the members of these groups share a similar background, for instance the same ethnicity. In the United States, for instance, there are Native American organizations that deal with a huge variety of causes.
Currently less than 2 percent of Americans identify themselves as Native American. They can be of the tribes often referred to as Indians or they can be indigenous Alaskans or Hawaiians too. Most Indians live outside of reservation land but whether they live on their tribal lands or in the cities, they face a number of issues simply because of their ancestry.
One huge problem that Native Americans face is the stereotypes about them as a people. Hollywood movies have at various times portrayed them as the fierce and cruel warrior, the noble savage, the drunk or the comical sidekick. The reality is that even though these characters certainly do exist, so do many other types of people of indigenous ancestry. There are several activist groups that not only challenge these stereotypes but also try to educate people about the descendants of America's original inhabitants.
Along with trying to overcome stereotypes is the challenge of overcoming discrimination. There are several groups that fight for the rights of indigenous people. Some focus only on specific tribes while others work for the rights of all Red Nations. Other groups focus on awareness and promotion of cultural identity.
A high percentage of indigenous Americans have fought in the armed forces and now belong to associations for veterans of the same tribal background so that they can support one another. People who work in the same profession also form professional organizations where they can provide support and help to find and develop younger talent. There are, for instance, groups for journalists, writers, lawyers, artists, musicians and rodeo cowboys.
For various reasons, problems like poverty, violence, crime and drug and alcohol abuse are rife among the Native population. Many groups try to address these issues, for instance through the use of college funds or literacy programs that will provide more marketable skills and improve people's socio-economic circumstances. Groups like the Indian Health Service work with specific health issues such as diabetes, which is also prevalent among those of indigenous extraction.
Just like in society as a whole, indigenous peoples also struggle with environmental issues. The Indigenous Environmental Network is one organization that tries to find ways to address and prevent environmental problems on a more general scale. Often there are also more grassroots groups that deal with a specific issue, for instance plans for mining or fracking on their land.
With the huge variety of Native American organizations in the USA, it's not difficult to find one that is suited to your interests. An online search is a good place to start. Otherwise, you'll find information in publications like newspapers or magazines such as Native Peoples Magazine, aimed at people of indigenous extraction.
Currently less than 2 percent of Americans identify themselves as Native American. They can be of the tribes often referred to as Indians or they can be indigenous Alaskans or Hawaiians too. Most Indians live outside of reservation land but whether they live on their tribal lands or in the cities, they face a number of issues simply because of their ancestry.
One huge problem that Native Americans face is the stereotypes about them as a people. Hollywood movies have at various times portrayed them as the fierce and cruel warrior, the noble savage, the drunk or the comical sidekick. The reality is that even though these characters certainly do exist, so do many other types of people of indigenous ancestry. There are several activist groups that not only challenge these stereotypes but also try to educate people about the descendants of America's original inhabitants.
Along with trying to overcome stereotypes is the challenge of overcoming discrimination. There are several groups that fight for the rights of indigenous people. Some focus only on specific tribes while others work for the rights of all Red Nations. Other groups focus on awareness and promotion of cultural identity.
A high percentage of indigenous Americans have fought in the armed forces and now belong to associations for veterans of the same tribal background so that they can support one another. People who work in the same profession also form professional organizations where they can provide support and help to find and develop younger talent. There are, for instance, groups for journalists, writers, lawyers, artists, musicians and rodeo cowboys.
For various reasons, problems like poverty, violence, crime and drug and alcohol abuse are rife among the Native population. Many groups try to address these issues, for instance through the use of college funds or literacy programs that will provide more marketable skills and improve people's socio-economic circumstances. Groups like the Indian Health Service work with specific health issues such as diabetes, which is also prevalent among those of indigenous extraction.
Just like in society as a whole, indigenous peoples also struggle with environmental issues. The Indigenous Environmental Network is one organization that tries to find ways to address and prevent environmental problems on a more general scale. Often there are also more grassroots groups that deal with a specific issue, for instance plans for mining or fracking on their land.
With the huge variety of Native American organizations in the USA, it's not difficult to find one that is suited to your interests. An online search is a good place to start. Otherwise, you'll find information in publications like newspapers or magazines such as Native Peoples Magazine, aimed at people of indigenous extraction.
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