The Reconsider Columbus Day video was first presented to this class as part of the reasons for the development of "Welcome To Native America" Project. The message of the video is to reconsider Columbus Day, and petition for a nationally recognized Indigenous Holiday. Again, this is an example of a mutual feeling that there hasn't been enough recognition and respect by government authorities or educational institutions of the first indigenous people before the arrival of Columbus, a part of history that has been tried to be overlooked or erased.
Part of the message says "...It happened a long time ago. But remaining neutral? And pretending like it didn't happened? Or that it doesn't still impact us today?..." delivers their strong beliefs that this first step in America's history (Not just the United States) had a complete impact on its future and peoples.
Such impacts for example is the lack of federal funding in Native reservations in the state of Montana for example, for educational programs in high schools, adequate medical hospitals, job opportunities, and other important neglects.
Time Magazine's website illustrates these problems through a photo series, a photo reads:
"Richard Littlebird is a 47-year-old freshman at the college. Inspired by the possibilities of education, he has enrolled in the school in spite of his age and two children. Though he is unsure of what career path he will follow, he vows to come back to the reservation and try to improve life there." It may be safe to say that if there is a lack of recognition in the history of Native people in the past and how we were treated, then until this day there is still a lack of recognition in the present into what are the things we need. Whether its in the U.S or other countries that still have Native American populations in their own backyard.
Take the time to see Time's Magazine's Photos here:
Montana Tribal College
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