About cultural diversity
Introduction
The proposed construction of a large hydroelectric dam that was to sit on one million acre land elicited a major conflict between the government and the Native American tribe in the 70’s. For the government, it was believed that this construction will attract several benefits for the government as well as the locals in terms of energy and water for use. As for the Native Americans, the project would seriously violate their values and hence they would not put up with the government’s idea. If these factors were held constant, one question would remain, would it be possible for the government and the Native American tribe to have a consensus over the construction? This project seeks to discuss core values of Native American tribes and how the construction of the dam would affect them. Moreover, it will discuss the outcome of the conflict and give a report on whether the project was successful or not.
Main body
The Conflict
The conflict in this scenario was the choice of land by the government in which laid the remains of the ancestors of the Native American tribe. The Native American tribe consisted of many other indigenous tribes who came together to form one umbrella tribe. It is argued that the land where the dam was to be constructed was sacred to the tribe and hence any other use from this truth was unacceptable and could attract cultural consequences. Moreover, the ancestors of the tribe were buried in this land and it is observed that disturbance of their bones would lead to desecration. As a result, the conflict arose because for the Native American tribe, it was a matter of respect for cultural diversity while for the government; it was a matter of development agenda of the country as well as the locals.
The Native American Values
The Native American tribe is believed to be a collection of indigenous people from India, United States, Mexico and Hawaii, just to mention a few. It is observed that people who were affiliated to this group had experienced a cold reception by the government probably due to their way of doing things as well as their way of life (Ferguson, 1996). This trending stirred different reactions to the United States government including opposition to government projects like in this scenario. Due to the experience of World War II, the Native American had been on a recovery process in terms of their values and culture and this process was done with vigor and enthusiasm to ensure that their respect was recovered (Coyhis & Simonelli, 2008).
One of the most appreciated tribal values is the recognition and respect for the diversity in people. This value recognizes that people are different and there is no way all the people in America can behave the same. In other words, it can be considered as a call to other Americans to respect the way they are and therefore give up on their quest to change their cultural inclination. Secondly, the practice of tranquility is considered to be a means of survival especially when they are in a conflicting situation. In other words, it is a way of expressing their discontent about a particular situation. Therefore, this knowledge must be put into consideration anytime a conflict is being resolved especially in this scenario. The third value is the ability to wait or the practice of patience. It can be argued that patience can become a vital tool in conflict resolution. The Native American believes that there is time for everything and therefore the need to be patient becomes salient.
In addition, this tribe appreciates the fact that no man is an island and therefore they need each other’s support in life. This is the value that brings about consensus and cooperation among its members and a strong, unitary community is the end result. Finally, religion and mysticism is believed to be the core of every individual and community as well. It therefore serves a central role in ensuring that the spirituality of every individual is up to the standard and this will ensure that their natural ability to heed to the spiritual voices is enacted in their souls.
Beliefs and taboos
Irrespective of the many tribes that constitute the giant Native American tribe, there are common beliefs and taboos that show the distinctiveness of its members. It is observed that Native Americans have an esteemed position for families and spiritual well being of their members; and these values help every member to live together in unity and strength (Richardson & McLeod, 2005). In regard to life and death, it is argued that Native Americans belief in the life in the body and the soul, which depart from the body when a person dies. When death does the soul and the body apart, Native Americans believe that the soul roams all over in the land of the dead, which is not clearly defined. It is also believed that the person embarks on a journey which requires the facilitation of the living and thus, aspects of food and drink is introduced during burial rituals.
Burial ritual is a common belief and is therefore important to discus some of the pertinent issues in this regard. It all begins from the choice of the grave which may be in cemeteries, or family owned plots, just to mention a few. In such situations, tradition takes the centre stage in dictating what needs to be done or avoided. There were different types of burial which included decaying the body but this was later developed to more permanent method like the use of cemeteries became more common.
Challenges faced
Research has shown that Native American tribes have faced several challenges that cut across every human related field. One of the greatest challenges is the failure on the government’s side to recognize the existence of this tribe. This could be very disheartening and discomforting to the members and could possibly lead to loss of land and property. History has shown how inhumane acts and downing statements directed to Native American were done which included sexual related abuse, as well as segregation of its members (Tsai & Alanis, 2004). Other challenges that have been faced by the members of this tribe include forced labor and land related issues like land settlement and cessations.
Conceptualization of the problem
The construction of the dam at the Columbian River Basin located at Bonneville could obviously attracted several factors like the environment. It would cause lifetime changes to the locals living in Bonneville and the river itself. It meant that the locals would never use the river the way they had used it before. For instance, changing the direction of water flow would mean that some people will never get water while others will face harsh elements of weather like wind and humidity. In other words, things would never be the same again for the locals; they would never enjoy fishing, farming, swimming and other activities that would have deemed important to them. They would lose a place they had called their native home for years at the construction of this dam. Their economic activity would be adversely be affected and this would mean that their way of living or their lifestyle would change. Attachment to this land and river could be distracted and this would lead to psychological disturbance of the mind and thought pattern. For the Native Americans living in this area, the consent to building of this dam would course more harm than good, considering that they had acquired and maintained the land for a long period of time. Their whole lives, including their livestock, spiritual acts of worship and physical structures, just to mention a few, revolved around this area
On the contrary, the government had suffered from energy related problems. As a result, the proposed construction of the dam would be welcomed with enthusiasm and gladness because it would solve the nightmare. While the Native Americans considered this as abuse of their lives, the government was considering it as an opportunity to utilize the river and hence help to solve many other energy related problems. It can only be assumed that the government’s move to construct the dam was to open a window for many more people to benefit from the construction rather than just a section of a minority group who would be relocated to pave way for such projects. For the government, the construction of this hydroelectric dam was necessary and was coming to ease the monopoly of power generation.
In present day times, Bonneville dam still exists and is located between Oregon and Washington states on river Columbia. The government’s agenda prevailed while on the other hand, Native Americans lives were adversely affected. Their fishing economy was halted and the number of fishermen has since declined and many other effects. How was this conflict between the government and the Native Americans resolved?
Conflict Resolution
It is important to note that the construction had earlier been faced with fierce opposition from the locals and this paved way for construction treaty between the government, contractors and the locals back in 1975. To begin with, the locals were supposed to relocate from their native land instead of fighting against the construction. The contractors agreed to build social amenities like schools as well as provide another piece of land for the locals to build and provide a safe residential land for them. In other words, it was the government’s responsibility to ensure that all the displaced people from this place were safely relocated to new homes at the government’s cost. In addition to the relocation costs, the government was to incur construction costs for the proposed social structures.
Secondly, it became salient for the government to reconstruct the Native American fishing facilities, probably due to the effect and damage that the construction of the dam had already caused, and this would mean that their livelihood would drastically change for the better. This modernization would also provide for opportunity for the Native Americans to enjoy modern and high technology facilities in fishing and housing as well. This meant that their culture, beliefs and livelihood was at a turning point for the better.
On the contrary, the locals had to look for a way to cope with the effects of construction equipments. For instance, the presence of heavy trucks, earth movers, lifting machines and many others would only cause noise distraction for a good period of time. At the end of project, they would learn how to handle dangerous effects of water reservoirs which would provide breeding places for mosquitoes. In addition, the consent to the construction meant that they had no option than to relocate the remains of their ancestors to another place. This would mean that they would be required to perform a ritual that would cover the disturbance of the remains.
Conclusion
In general, it appeared that the method applied here to resolve the conflict was a win – win situation. While the government won the consent of the Native American to construct the hydroelectric dam in their ancestral land, they were required to pay a price for it. The Native American on the other hand had to pay the price of relocating to a new area but with more benefits than what they would have gotten if they had chosen to stay. For instance, the option to relocate attracted the benefit of modern schools and fisheries to them. However, the Native Americans had to gain the knowledge and understanding of how they would deal with the aftermath of disturbing the remains of their ancestors.
References
Coyhis, D. &. (2008). The Native American Healing Experience. Informer Healthcare , 1927-1949.
Ferguson, T. J. (1996). Native Americans and the practice of Archeology. Annual Reviews , 63-79.
Tsai, G. &. (2004, June). The Native American Culture: A Historical and reflective perspective. Journey to thinking multiculturally , p. 8.
Richardson, J. &. (2005). Native American Technology and Culture. Archived Information , 1-28.
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