Native American women had a huge impact on the growing western culture during the mid-1800's. They helped society in the west grow by being involved in the Hudson's Bay Fir Trade Company. They immersed themselves in many ways including marriage with European men, and traded for items such as cooking pots, and wool for clothing. By marrying the men they increased the population and by trading for the domestic items above they made their everyday tasks easier.
The ways in which the Native American women participated in the Fir Trade in the west benefited both the Europeans and the Native American people. The Native women realized this and enjoyed bettering their lives, and living harmoniously with people (Europeans) who had invaded their land.
Therefore, peace was seen as a reward for the Native American women who perhaps knew that if they didn't create "tender ties" they may be in for turmoil between the Native Americans and the Europeans.
Monday, September 15, 2008
Thursday, September 4, 2008
"Unsettling Settler Societies" Introduction & CH 5
Several feelings about early American culture came to mind when I read these chapters. For example, the American people are greedy. The fact that they targeted people of different cultures (specifically African Americans) to be slaves, and then later discriminated against them for being different shows greed.
Why are people seen as a negative part of society if they have a different culture, or appearance?
Why are people seen as a negative part of society if they have a different culture, or appearance?
Tuesday, September 2, 2008
Review of Indian Women as Cultural Mediators by Clara Sue Kidwell
Native women were of great importance to the European culture. They helped keep their people safe by providing services for Europeans they encountered. For example, Pocahontas was John Smith's mistress and Sacagawea was the leader of the Lewis and Clark expedition.
Therefore, Native women of any land should be recognized for the ways in which they have helped their people.
Therefore, Native women of any land should be recognized for the ways in which they have helped their people.
Review of "Native Women's History in Eastern North America before 1900"
Racism was prevalent early on in American culture. Captain John Smith is a good example of a racist who saw differences in culture as negative. He observed the Powhatan indians dividing their labor rolls, and assumed the women to be doing the majority of the difficult labor. This idea that Indian men are "idle" while women are worked to death was carried on into the 19th century and soon led to Native Americans being called savages.
Native Americans are apparently not savages however, American views at the time led to that idea because American men viewed themselves as superior and more able bodied than women. Men in the late 18th century and into the 19th century did not give women any responsibilities, unless they were lower class, and then had no choice but to work.
Women were not made to work because they were viewed as delicate. Therefore, men took on the laborous duties and provided income for the family. If men were lacking in their duties they were considered lazy like the "savages."
Some men however, did want to live lives like the "savages," so they were "lured into the wilderness. John Smith accused these men of "living idle among the savages." However, the men who went into the wilderness to live their lives like the Native Americans were probably seeking refuge from the confining way of life provided by the English colonies. The English colonies of the time were governing people with rules and constraints while Indians live a life in order to survive day to day. Native Americans differ in that they do not have a strict government, but provide guidance to their tribes as needed to coexist. This functional and uncontrolling way of life probably seemed ideal to the average Joe living in the English colonies in the 18th-19th century.
The view John Smith portrayed to the English colonies at the time can be contrasted with William Strachey who provided a more humane division of labor among the Native Americans. He did this by discribing the women as accomplishing the more simple tasks such as gardening while the men assumed the daunting ones such as hunting. Strachey is correct in his observations on division of labor, but still gives a negative feeling to them.
Again, this way of life practiced by the Native Americans is not lazy, savage, or negative whatsoever. In fact it is quite the opposite, it is successful for many reasons. The reasons for why it is successful is because men are more skilled hunters and women are equiped to stay close to home and care for children. Therefore, men can go away from the home for a period of time in order to do their part to provide for the tribe, while women stay home care for the family and farm.
Native Americans are apparently not savages however, American views at the time led to that idea because American men viewed themselves as superior and more able bodied than women. Men in the late 18th century and into the 19th century did not give women any responsibilities, unless they were lower class, and then had no choice but to work.
Women were not made to work because they were viewed as delicate. Therefore, men took on the laborous duties and provided income for the family. If men were lacking in their duties they were considered lazy like the "savages."
Some men however, did want to live lives like the "savages," so they were "lured into the wilderness. John Smith accused these men of "living idle among the savages." However, the men who went into the wilderness to live their lives like the Native Americans were probably seeking refuge from the confining way of life provided by the English colonies. The English colonies of the time were governing people with rules and constraints while Indians live a life in order to survive day to day. Native Americans differ in that they do not have a strict government, but provide guidance to their tribes as needed to coexist. This functional and uncontrolling way of life probably seemed ideal to the average Joe living in the English colonies in the 18th-19th century.
The view John Smith portrayed to the English colonies at the time can be contrasted with William Strachey who provided a more humane division of labor among the Native Americans. He did this by discribing the women as accomplishing the more simple tasks such as gardening while the men assumed the daunting ones such as hunting. Strachey is correct in his observations on division of labor, but still gives a negative feeling to them.
Again, this way of life practiced by the Native Americans is not lazy, savage, or negative whatsoever. In fact it is quite the opposite, it is successful for many reasons. The reasons for why it is successful is because men are more skilled hunters and women are equiped to stay close to home and care for children. Therefore, men can go away from the home for a period of time in order to do their part to provide for the tribe, while women stay home care for the family and farm.
Monday, September 1, 2008
Native Women in the Labor Force (U.S., Canada, Mexico)
Women have a history of being the majority in unemployment rates. In fact the number of women who were employed was behind by 10% in 1990 (http://www.popline.org/docs/1289/142224.html). However, in the future what are now the minorities (black, Hispanic, and Asian) may become the majority in the work force due to about 80% of the white employees leaving because of age and health (http://www.urban.org/).
The increase in non-native employees is facilitated by an influx of immigrant workers, approximately 50% in 1997 were Latin American And 25% were Asian. (http://www.popline.org/docs/1289/142224.html). An increase in young migrant workers early on will help replace the native born employees who are no longer able bodied.
Not only will non-natives replace the ill and dying but also lower class native born able bodied citizens.
In fact, by 1997, most immigrant women worked in financial, business, health, and other professional services (http://www.popline.org/docs/1289/142224.html). The employment of immigrant women instead of native-born women proves that if any one person can overcome a language barrier then they can be employed in another country. This also proves that culture is not a barrier when hiring workers in America. Therefore, when labor is needed the reasons why a specific person is being hired needs to be assessed. For example, will they work for a lower wage? Can they work for an extended contract? Etc. These questions and others often arise when non-natives are hired rather than native Americans making this a highly political issue.
The increase in non-native employees is facilitated by an influx of immigrant workers, approximately 50% in 1997 were Latin American And 25% were Asian. (http://www.popline.org/docs/1289/142224.html). An increase in young migrant workers early on will help replace the native born employees who are no longer able bodied.
Not only will non-natives replace the ill and dying but also lower class native born able bodied citizens.
In fact, by 1997, most immigrant women worked in financial, business, health, and other professional services (http://www.popline.org/docs/1289/142224.html). The employment of immigrant women instead of native-born women proves that if any one person can overcome a language barrier then they can be employed in another country. This also proves that culture is not a barrier when hiring workers in America. Therefore, when labor is needed the reasons why a specific person is being hired needs to be assessed. For example, will they work for a lower wage? Can they work for an extended contract? Etc. These questions and others often arise when non-natives are hired rather than native Americans making this a highly political issue.
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