An Overview Of Native American Organizations

Name any issue or cause and there is an organization that raises support for or awareness of it. Especially in the USA there is a huge variety of these groups for anything from minority rights to a certain celebrity's wardrobe. Often the members of a group will come from a similar background as well, such as being Jewish or of Irish ancestry. There is also a huge array of Native American organizations active in America.

The last US census showed that Native Americans are now a small minority in the country that they've been inhabiting for centuries. Most are American Indians but the group also includes tribes indigenous to Hawaii and Alaska. Contrary to popular belief, the majority o not live in reservations but in cities where they may have to deal with various issues because of their ethnicity.

The way in which indigenous Americans have been portrayed by the film industry through the years has led to one of the biggest problems they face today, that of stereotypes. Many non-native people think of them as either the noble and wise old man who speaks in riddles, the fiery warrior with the flowing hair and shrill cry, the silly helper or the violent and hopeless drunk. However, there is much more variety among the descendants of the first Americans. For this reason some groups specifically aim to get rid of these stereotypes and to educate others about their people.

Another focus for many groups is the fight against discrimination. They fight for indigenous rights and political representation. Some groups also concentrate on promoting their tribal culture and traditions.

A great way for people of indigenous descent to challenge stereotypes and to educate others about their culture is through their daily work. Musicians, artists, journalists, lawyers and even rodeo cowboys are some of the groups that have their own professional organizations. Some help develop new talent while others, such as war veterans' associations, help those who have already paid their dues to society.

Groups such as professional or veterans' associations are one way of helping to combat socio-economic problems such as substance abuse, crime and violence that go together with poverty. However, there are also groups that focus specifically on these issues. Health is another issue that needs addressing and some of the health problems rife among indigenous populations are completely preventable. Groups like the Indian Health Service try to deal with these.

The environment is of concern to everyone, including the Red Nations. An organization like the Indigenous Environmental Network addresses environmental issues that affect everyone. Especially on tribal lands you'll also find grassroots activists who work with a cause particular to that community, such as plans for mining, drilling or developing their land and how these plans will impact on the land.

Searching online is one way to find Native American organizations in the United States. Another is to look in magazines like the Native Peoples Magazine or newspapers like the Navajo Times. With so many groups working for such a variety of causes, you're sure to find one that's just right for you.