*Before reading this post, please understand that I am only asking the following questions to spark a deeper conversation, I am not complaining nor angry with any group of people involved.
At the risk of sounding less than compassionate to the history of the native american people, why haven't we found a better way than reservations, treaties, and divide? I understand that in the 1800s we needed to do something to end the fighting, but are they really serving either side any good any longer?
I also understand the native americans have gone through some unspeakable tough times at the hands of the white settlers, and those actions may never be forgiven. However, everyone involved in those unspeakable acts from both sides are no longer with us.
Why then, does our government continue to treat a (relatively) small population of people differently than the rest? There have been many isolated groups of people throughout the world's history that have been treated horribly, yet we don't intentionally treat them different to the extent that the native american people are treated different.
I may be ignorant to the native american culture as I have never spent much time with them, but I have driven through countless reservations on my travels across the west. I don't recall seeing teepees, horses, warriors training with their bows and tomahawks, groups of people making crafts out of the animals they harvest, etc. I see pickups and cars, houses, gas stations, bars, restaurants and everything else a non-reservation town has. Now I understand there are still activities to celebrate their traditional way of life, but for all practical purposes the native american lifestyle in today's world looks very similar to everyone elses way of life. Why does one group of people get to hunt on or off reservation outside of season? Hunting has been a part of my family's tradition just as long as theirs. We have been feeding our family with the game we harvest just like they feed theirs. Yes, they were a little more dependent on wildgame and hunting later into this nation's history than most of our families, but it's a little tough to argue that someone is still dependent on hunting to survive when they are driving trucks and cars to their hunting spots, and when they don't bag an elk there is a grocery store and a pre-paid card from the government to buy food.
Is it maybe time to realize the ways of old are in the past, find a way forward that does not involve reservations and government dependence? It seems that the current system is not beneficial to either side.
I have read and re-read this post many times and tried my best not to sound attacking in any way. If something seems offensive, please remember it was not my intention.
