by Brandy Morrison

Created on: November 17, 2009   Last Updated: November 18, 2009

Native Americans are considered the first people to have immigrated to North America. When and where they immigrated from seems to still be a mystery. There are a few guesses and assumptions but not much proof to say for sure when and where they immigrated from. When European settlers began to make it to North America and started colonization, they found that it was already inhabited by darker skinned people which spoke a different language than them. The Europeans immediately noticed the differences between themselves and the Native Americans. The European settlers thought they were different so they must be separated. This caused segregation, racism, and prejudices to levels that we had never seen before and hopefully will never see again. The racism, segregation, and prejudice of the Native Americans by the European settlers were so immense, that Native Americans were almost exterminated. Racism and prejudice were established against the Native Americans. Native Americans were forced to be looked upon as lesser peoples. Segregation was established and the Native Americans were even cast off their lands and forced into far off regions.

Even in later years, when the government started giving the Native Americans supposed equal opportunities, many of them were treated like slaves. Native Americans could not enter or attend normal events such as school and services. They also were not allowed in many stores. They were given some land to farm by the government after they were forced from their homes. Many of the farms were polluted with chemicals so that they would fail. In today's society this would be classes as Environmental Justice Issues. Environment Justice Issues ensures that all people have the opportunity to live in safe environments away from pollution and other harmful chemicals. The Native Americans were not issued this convenience and many times the horrid living conditions were purposeful.

In more recent years Native Americans have become part of our working society. There is still however many areas where they are still living with racism and prejudice. Native Americans have been pushed into Dual labor markets, ensuring they do not make the same wages as others. Some of these jobs have little or no benefits and some are even hazardous and unsafe. Many have also encountered redlining, glass wall, and glass ceiling. These issues make it impossible to further advance in their careers due to the fact they are Native American even with better credentials than the person who may get the position. Even though these issues are not carrying the severity they did long ago, they are still there and being dealt with in certain parts of the country.

There are other areas of the country that believe in affirmative action and the Native Americans are offered equal opportunities when it comes to jobs. Most of this depends on the areas in which the Native Americans inhabit. Many areas have long since forgotten the later days and have moved on. Other parts of the country still believe that the Native Americans do not have the rights to be equal.

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