Native America Online per Tilly's analytical model
From digmovements
The presence of Native Americans on the Internet as activism/social movement.
According to Charles Tilly, a key aspect of modern social movements is in their “Campaigns.” He states “a campaign always links three parties: a group of self-designated claimants, some object(s) of claims, and a public of some kind.”
Within my research project, the claimants are the Natives (i.e. indigenous/aboriginal/American Indian peoples) of what is now called The United States of America.
Amongst the various Native publications, websites, newspapers, blogs, mission statements, et al. I’ve found a unifying group of claims.
1. Preservation of Tribal existence and culture, promotion of common welfare and human rights.
2. Accountability of the US Government under Indian treaties and agreements, protection of those treaty and sovereign rights, and the protection of tribal natural resources.
3. Educating the general public about Indian rights, laws, issues, and better understanding of the Indian people.
In addition to public outreach and education, the target authorities of this campaign are the federal, state, and local governments.
In recent years, Native Americans have engaged in a myriad of activities to further their causes.
Civil disobedience, Community building, Cooperative movement, Craftivism, Boycott, Lobbying, Media activism, Culture jamming, Internet activism, Propaganda, Non-violent confrontation, Protest, Demonstration, Direct action, Youth activism, and Student activism.
Along with these, a great deal of legal action has been undertaken and accomplished by Native Americans and their supporters. From individual criminal cases to class action suits against the federal government.
In keeping with Charles Tilly's analytical model for social movements, the following applies to Native American online activism and movements.
The claims-making performances have included:
Public meetings in various forms, such as 'Powwows' that non-Natives and the media were welcome to attend. These events are often significant in that they combine culture, politics, and education. The most well known of these is the Gathering of Nations.
Native American's political demonstrations are probably the most widely publicized of the 'performances'. Just recently members of the Dakota Nation protested during the Minnesota Sesquicentennial celebration in St. Paul.
Over the last fifty-plus years, many lawsuits have been filed by or on behalf of Native Americans. Ranging from individual to class action. The target of these suits is most often the Federal government. As countless agreements were made between Natives and the USA regarding sovereignty and land, many of these 'treaties' remain unfulfilled or renegged upon. Litigation has been the Natives main avenue for action in the face of the governments failures and misdeeds.
And of course there are organized groups of Native Americans that go beyond tribal affiliation. The best known of these is the American Indian Movement. Though there are others, such as the Native American Rights Fund and the National Congress of American Indians.
As with any social movement and/or minority, Native American's worthiness, unity, numbers, and commitment is in the eye of the beholder. Be it the Natives themselves, or an outsiders view point.
A single example that incorporates all of the above can be found in the Longest Walk. A five month, 4400 mile trek across the US that is intended to call attention to Native issues and protecting the environment.
The mission state reads (in part) "We walk with the message: All Life is Sacred, Save Mother Earth. We shall walk for the Seventh Generation, for our youth, for peace, for justice, for healing of Mother Earth, for the healing of our people suffering from diabetes, heart conditions, alcoholism, drug addiction, and other diseases. Through the elements of the seasons, we shall walk through the rain, snow, over mountains, high winds, through the heat and cold, nothing shall deter us from completing our mission: All Life is Sacred, Protect Sacred Sites. Let those who doubt, hear our pledge. Let those who believe, join our ranks. As we walk the final miles, by our side will be elders, families, children, people of all races, from many walks of life, the old and the new America. All Life is Sacred, Clean Up Mother Earth."
The stereotype of the savage indian in American folklore seems to have changed in recent decades to the proud and noble native. From 'scalping' settlers to being the wise and spiritual mystery figure. Along with these Hollywood influenced popular ideas, it seems common knowledge now that the Europeans harshly mistreated the Native Americans. As such, the 'worthiness' is self evident.
Organizers within Native American movements tend to be of two types. Those that were around in the 'heyday' of the American Indian Movement, from the late sixties to the mid-seventies. And a new (younger) generation of activist upstarts. Not unlike the activist Hippies of yore and the energetic twenty-somethings of today.
The followers are often any Native peoples whose lives are affected by the issues, regardless of age or region. Along with Natives, there are non-Native supporters and sympathizers.
The target authorities are the state and federal governments. As the official representative and law making/upholding body of the US people, these governments most often have the last word and power in regard to Native issues.
There are third parties involved as well. Lawyers, civil rights groups, independent media, and conscientious individuals all lend a hand in the quest to address and benefit the issues facing Native Americans.
As previously mentioned, the unifying claims of the Native American people are:
1. Preservation of Tribal existence and culture, promotion of common welfare and human rights.
2. Accountability of the US Government under Indian treaties and agreements, protection of those treaty and sovereign rights, and the protection of tribal natural resources.
3. Educating the general public about Indian rights, laws, issues, and better understanding of the Indian people.
With these in mind, the political goals include proper and faithful representation of Native Americans in the US government. Education and awareness of Native issues and causes. Addressing of grievances and reparations for past wrong doings by the US government. And guarantees for the sovereignty and safety of Native nations within the USA.
The identity, shared traits, and social positions of Native Americans are what brings the different tribes and nations together as a united group. All are descendants of the original inhabitants of what is now called the USA. All are to this day effected by the European 'settlement' of the continent. And as with many American minorities, Natives are a long suffering and maligned group that sees their circumstances forced upon them as a direct result of the US governments policies and misdeeds.
As for Native's standing, aside from common human and civil rights, Native Americans have made agreements and treaties with various newcomers since the early 1500's. Most of which were scrapped and/or sullied by the settlers and explorers and the like. Even in todays market driven capitalist era, those contracts and promises are valid, perhaps now more so.
Web technologies appear to have had little effect on Native American social movements.
While there are a handful of sites devoted to Native issues or tribes, most of these serve mainly as an after-the-fact news reporting service or brief introductions to the peoples and histories.
This lack of an online presence is probably due in part because of the isolation and economic difficulties that Native communities experience. Computers and internet access are lower on the priority list than say, being able to pay the electricity bill.
That's not to say that Native Americans don't use the 'net at all. Many of the prominent figures in Native America are featured on the 'web in some form. Russell Means, Dennis Banks and Sherman Alexie just to name a few.
While Native America is presently underrepresented on the internet, the ubiquitousness of computer and communication technologies is certain to eventually correct this.
