Native Americans are one of the most forgotten races of people in modern era America… And they were the first ones here!

Background
Native Americans are the indigenous people of North America. Historians say that they came to this continent nearly 12,000 years ago across a land bridge that used to stretch from modern day Siberia to modern day Alaska. This was called the Bering Land Bridge. From there, they spread throughout the Americas, far before any Europeans had explored the land. These brave people faced an untamed wilderness.
When Europeans came to the Americas, they conquered the Natives, killed many of them off, and put the rest in little villages that we now call “reservations.”

The Problem- Statistics
Today, as a result of being excluded from a growing American economy and most job opportunities, the Native Americans are failing in society. Here is a simple layout of the statistics.

Average American Population
Native Americans
Disability rates*
6%
15%
Poverty Rate
2 times higher than national average
Income rate
76% of national average
Alcoholism/drug use
Noticeably higher than national average
Population with a college degree
13% for Native Americans
40% for the average American population
*This refers mostly to mental health disabilities such as depression
In addition to the problems above, they also have the highest food insecurity of any race in America. A food insecurity is when you don’t know when, where, or if your next meal will come.

The Problem 2 - Circle of Poverty
Another problem is that they are in a “circle of poverty”. The circle of poverty is a metaphorical circle where once you become impoverished, or poor, it becomes increasingly difficult to escape your situation. Many Native Americans communities are in a circle of poverty, and with the lack of support that they have been receiving, poverty begins to envelop the entire community.

As one can see, there are many problems facing the Native American society, and these problems are much more prevalent than that of the average American society. This problem has existed since Native Americans were first put in reservations, but it has never been properly addressed.

The Solution
There are many ways to help resolve the struggles of the native people of America. Many of solutions would begin with governmental action. However, there are also many things that individuals can do to help out. First, you can donate money. Money is the most essential resource  that could help break the Native American circle of poverty. With money, Native Americans can start businesses and shops, bringing more jobs and money into the reservations. Next, you could donate food to the Native Americans. With 326 Native American reservations across the U.S., chances are that there is one near you.

Currently, there are only a few organizations dedicated to helping out Native Americans. Below is a link of a website that is trying to help out the natives. Although they are doing a good job, we would need much more involvement to completely resolve the problems within these reservations.

If you are interested in helping out the struggling Native Americans, please click the link below. Once here, scroll to where it says the Indian tribes that lived in your area, and click the link. Below the map of the indigenous tribes in your state, it will show the location, addresses, phone numbers, and P.O. box numbers. If you want to learn more about their rich culture, many of these reservations also have websites.

People of modern day America need to realize the plight that the Native Americans face. We need to help out the forgotten race of America.

Sources Used:
Economics Discussion- Three Major Causes of Vicious Circle of Poverty
National Geographic- Who were the First Americans?