Indigenous Issues Across the Americas

Unit 1 – Pre-Columbian Americas: Civilizations & Cultures

Unit 2 – European Colonization in the Americas

Unit 3 – Treaties and Indigenous Land Rights

Unit 4 – Assimilation and Cultural Genocide Policies

Unit 5 – Indigenous Resistance and Activism

Unit 6 – Health Disparities in Indigenous Communities

Unit 7 – Environmental Issues in Indigenous Lands

Unit 8 – Language Revival: Preserving Indigenous Culture

Unit 9 – Indigenous Sovereignty & Self-Determination

Unit 10 – Indigenous Representation in Media

Unit 11 – Reconciliation and Decolonization

Unit 12 – Indigenous Art and Literature Today

## What do you learn in Indigenous Issues Across the Americas

You'll explore the historical and contemporary experiences of Indigenous peoples across North and South America. The course covers topics like colonization, land rights, sovereignty, cultural preservation, and modern political movements. You'll examine how different Indigenous groups have resisted oppression and fought for their rights, while also learning about their diverse cultures and traditions.

## Is Indigenous Issues Across the Americas hard?

It's not typically considered one of the toughest courses, but it does require a good amount of reading and critical thinking. The concepts aren't super complicated, but you'll need to keep up with the readings and be ready to engage in class discussions. Some students find it challenging because it often presents perspectives that are different from what they've learned before.

## Tips for taking Indigenous Issues Across the Americas in college

1. Use [Fiveable Study Guides](https://fiveable.me/cram-mode) to help you cram 🌶️
2. Stay on top of the readings - they're crucial for understanding the lectures
3. Engage in class discussions - sharing your thoughts helps solidify concepts
4. Look for connections between historical events and current issues
5. Watch documentaries like "500 Nations" or "Rumble: The Indians Who Rocked the World" for extra context
6. Try to attend any guest lectures or events with Indigenous speakers
7. Keep an open mind and be ready to challenge your preconceptions

## Common pre-requisites for Indigenous Issues Across the Americas

1. Introduction to Native American Studies: This course gives you a broad overview of Native American history, culture, and contemporary issues. It's a great foundation for more specific classes.

2. American History to 1877: You'll learn about early American history, including the interactions between European colonists and Indigenous peoples. This background is super helpful for understanding later Indigenous issues.

## Classes similar to Indigenous Issues Across the Americas

1. Latin American Indigenous Movements: Focuses on Indigenous activism and political movements in Central and South America. You'll learn about groups like the Zapatistas and their fight for rights and recognition.

2. Native American Law and Policy: Dives into the legal relationships between Indigenous nations and the U.S. government. You'll study treaties, court cases, and federal Indian law.

3. Indigenous Environmental Justice: Explores how environmental issues intersect with Indigenous rights and traditional knowledge. You'll look at cases like pipeline protests and land management conflicts.

4. Decolonizing Museums: Examines how museums have historically represented Indigenous cultures and the movement to change these practices. You'll learn about repatriation efforts and collaborative curation.

## Majors related to Indigenous Issues Across the Americas

1. Native American Studies: Focuses on the history, culture, and contemporary issues of Indigenous peoples in North America. Students gain a deep understanding of Native American perspectives and experiences.

2. Anthropology: Examines human cultures and societies, often including significant study of Indigenous peoples. Anthropology students learn about cultural diversity and how societies change over time.

3. History: Covers the study of past events and their impact on the present. History majors often explore Indigenous histories as part of understanding broader historical narratives.

4. Sociology: Analyzes social structures, institutions, and human behavior. Sociology students may study Indigenous communities and their interactions with broader society.

## What can you do with a degree in Indigenous Issues Across the Americas?

1. Tribal Liaison: Works as a bridge between Indigenous communities and government agencies or private organizations. Tribal liaisons help facilitate communication and ensure Indigenous perspectives are considered in decision-making processes.

2. Museum Curator: Specializes in Indigenous art and artifacts, organizing exhibitions and managing collections. Curators work to accurately represent Indigenous cultures and often collaborate with Indigenous communities.

3. Indigenous Rights Advocate: Works with non-profit organizations or legal firms to protect and advance the rights of Indigenous peoples. Advocates may focus on issues like land rights, cultural preservation, or environmental protection.

4. Cultural Resource Manager: Protects and manages Indigenous cultural sites and artifacts. These professionals work to preserve important cultural heritage while balancing development needs.

## Indigenous Issues Across the Americas FAQs

1. Do I need to be Indigenous to take this course? Not at all! The course is open to students of all backgrounds who are interested in learning about Indigenous issues.

2. Will this course cover Indigenous peoples outside of the United States? Yes, the course looks at Indigenous issues across both North and South America, giving you a broader perspective on different Indigenous experiences.

3. How much writing is involved in this course? It varies, but typically you can expect to write a few short papers and possibly one longer research paper. Writing assignments usually focus on analyzing specific issues or comparing different Indigenous experiences.

Native American Studies

1.1 Mesoamerican civilizations (Maya, Aztec, Olmec)

1.2 Andean civilizations (Inca, Moche, Nazca)

1.3 North American Indigenous cultures

1.4 Indigenous knowledge systems and technologies

1.5 Spirituality and cosmology

2.1 Spanish conquest of the Americas

2.2 British and French colonization of North America

2.3 Impact of European diseases on Indigenous populations

2.5 Missionary activities and religious conversion

2.4 Slavery and forced labor of Indigenous peoples

3.1 Treaty-making processes

3.2 Land cessions and forced relocations

3.3 Indian reserves and reservations

3.4 Land claims and legal battles

3.5 United Nations Declaration on the Rights of Indigenous Peoples

4.1 Residential schools and boarding schools

4.2 Forced adoption and child removal policies

4.3 Suppression of Indigenous languages and cultural practices

4.4 Sterilization and eugenics programs

4.5 Intergenerational trauma and healing

5.1 Armed resistance and uprisings

5.2 Political organizing and advocacy

5.5 International solidarity and alliances

5.3 Indigenous rights movements

5.4 Idle No More and other contemporary movements

6.1 Chronic diseases and health outcomes

6.3 Traditional healing practices and medicine

6.5 Social determinants of health

6.4 Access to healthcare services and infrastructure

6.2 Mental health and substance abuse

7.1 Land and water rights

7.4 Climate change and environmental justice

7.3 Deforestation and biodiversity loss

7.2 Impacts of mining and oil/gas extraction

7.5 Indigenous environmental stewardship and conservation

8.2 Immersion schools and language nests

8.1 Language documentation and preservation

8.3 Traditional knowledge and cultural practices

8.4 Repatriation of cultural artifacts and remains

8.5 Digital archiving and access to cultural heritage

9.1 Indigenous governance structures

9.2 Tribal sovereignty and nation-to-nation relationships

9.4 Indigenous education and curriculum control

9.5 International recognition and rights

9.3 Economic development and self-sufficiency

10.1 Stereotypes and misrepresentation in media

10.2 Indigenous filmmakers and media creators

10.3 Representation in literature and publishing

10.4 Cultural appropriation and intellectual property rights

10.5 Social media and digital activism

11.1 Truth and reconciliation commissions

11.2 Apologies and reparations

11.3 Decolonizing education and institutions

11.4 Land back and treaty rights movements

11.5 Allyship and solidarity from non-Indigenous peoples

12.1 Indigenous visual arts and artists

12.2 Indigenous music and performance

12.3 Indigenous literature and storytelling

12.4 Indigenous fashion and design

12.5 Indigenous futurisms and speculative fiction

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AP® and SAT® are trademarks registered by the College Board, which is not affiliated with, and does not endorse this website.

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