For all who do not know, when Columbus discovered America he thought that he had actually discovered the East Indies.

When the resident natives approached him he mistakenly referred to them as Indians.' And so, The Red Indian' was born.

The indigenous peoples of the America's met Columbus, and indeed, the many other Europeans who were to follow him, in friendship and peace. Perhaps this was their mistake. If they had fought against Columbus and destroyed him maybe the disasters that were to befall these people would have never taken place, allowing them to progress slowly like the indigenous peoples of other nations.

It's easy to say that I know, after the fact that is, by examining the history of America after the arrival of Columbus. But for the Native American the arrival of the white man,' was to mark the end of his culture, his way of living and even his freedom.

But what led to this; what were the reasons that forced these people to become alien in their own homeland.

If Columbus had been annihilated, preventing his return to Queen Isabella and Spain, Europe would have thought that he had met his death sailing over the edge of the world, and it would have been much later in history when America was discovered.

But fate played its hand and Columbus gained his fame and fortune; America was discovered and this New World,' would become the focal point to where the people of all nations would look and eventually set sail for.

When Columbus returned to Spain, he took with him vast amounts of gold, silver and precious items, so much so, that the monarchy of Spain organized a full scale invasion.

Then they came from all over the world; Britain, France, Holland, Spain, the race was on to establish their own colonies and to enforce their own laws.

The conflicts which arose between, Britain, France, Holland and Spain during their own conquests of America had a profound effect of the Native American, which still remain in force today.

The most serious consequence for the Native American at that time was undoubtedly the diseases the white man brought with him; diseases that were landing at Quebec, Plymouth and Louisiana, all around them, the diseases were coming.

Religion too, played its part in destroying the indigenous people of America; now they were being told that it was a sin to practice their native religion and those who did practice it were punished severely or even killed. And just like the diseases, these European beliefs

• 1
• 2
• 3
• 4
• 5
• 6
• next page >>

---

Add your voice

Know something about Native American perspectives on "Indian" identities?
We want to hear your view. Write now!