The US government created Native American Reservations in the 19th century as a way to confine and control Native American populations. The Indian Removal Act of 1830 authorized the forced relocation of thousands of Native Americans from their ancestral lands to designated reservations, often in inhospitable and undesirable locations. Over time, government policies towards Native Americans shifted from forced assimilation to a policy of self-determination, and many tribes gained greater control over their reservations, including the ability to govern themselves and manage their natural resources. However, even with the somewhat small victories that tribes gained, overwhelming mistreatment of Native American Tribes, such as the lack of funding for education, community outreach, and basic housing programs, continues to harm the tribes that occupy the reservations.
One of the biggest challenges facing Native American reservations is poverty. A 2018 report from the US Census Bureau found that the poverty rate on reservations was over twice the national average. Unemployment is also a significant issue in reservations, with job opportunities often limited to low-paying jobs that do not provide the necessary benefits many out-of-reservation jobs would provide. Additionally, many reservations lack basic infrastructure such as clean water, adequate housing, and healthcare services. Without these essential resources, many tribal nations cannot build up enough wealth to live comfortably, let alone overcome the apparent mistreatment that affects the millions of people who live in reservations.
Throughout history, there have been many instances where tribes inside and out of reservations have been ignored by the government. Ever since the times when the European colonists flooded the land of the Natives, there has been documented mistreatment of the Native people due to many colonists seeing the land as a gift of sorts for them. This idea has been continually passed down throughout generations to preserve the idea that Native tribes were second thought by the colonists.
The US government has a responsibility to address these challenges and misconduct to improve conditions on Native American reservations. One way they can do this is by funding infrastructure projects, such as improving water and sewage systems, building affordable housing, and expanding healthcare services. The government should also work with tribes to create job training programs and support economic development initiatives.
The immoral treatment of Native tribes should not be passed by legislators who, for hundreds of years, have been attempting to rid the American continents of all signs of the original peoples who occupied the land. The soil we walk on should always be remembered as bloody grounds where tens of millions of Native Americans were slaughtered for their resources and land.