Hopi Oral Tradition and Resistance to Outside Forces
[ send me this paper ]
An 8 page paper discussing the ease with which the Hopi religion and oral tradition has persisted over the centuries. 'Wrong headedness' is a condition that the Hopi are not to have. They are to adhere to the admonishings and warnings of ages to come given by the ancient ones. Because the oral traditions attached to the Hopi religion are so adaptable to changes in society and in levels of technology, they can remain relevant at any stage of development, either of the Hopi culture or those that would overrun it. Bibliography lists 10 sources.
Filename: KS-Hopi.wps
Paper Title: Hopi Oral Tradition and Resistance to Outside Forces

Koyaanisqatsi / Life Out Of Balance
[ send me this paper ]
A 5 page exploration of the term 'Koyaanisqatsi' which means 'life out of balance,' its relation to Hopi life, ceremony and legend, and its relation to all life. Bibliography lists 6 sources.
Filename: NAbalanc.wps
Paper Title: Koyaanisqatsi / Life Out Of Balance

Tedlock’s “Popol Vuh” and “Breath on a Mirror”
[ send me this paper ]
A six page analysis of these two important works on ancient Mayan tradition. The paper asserts that in comparing Mayan myths with those of the Old Testament, the Mayans emphasize self-reliance and the use of intelligence while the Old Testament emphasizes obedience. No additional sources.
Filename: KBpopol.wps
Paper Title: Tedlock’s “Popol Vuh” and “Breath on a Mirror”

A Comparison Of Navajo And Taoist Philosophies
[ send me this paper ]
A 6 page comparison of the philosophies of two very different yet very similar peoples. Emphasizes the importance of nature and harmony to both cultures. Bibliography lists 7 sources.
Filename: NavTaois.wps
Paper Title: A Comparison Of Navajo And Taoist Philosophies

The Mystique of Turquoise
[ send me this paper ]
An 8 page paper discussing the enduring allure of turquoise. Were we to have a national stone in the US, certainly turquoise would surely be it. It has been used from times of prehistory for trading and as talismans for good health and good fortune; it has fueled the latest craze of all things Southwestern. Stephen Dweck, a modern-day designer, calls turquoise a modern amulet. The Navajo Indians are most noted for their artistry with turquoise, but many of the Native American tribes traded with it and held it dear long before the first white man invaded their lands. Bibliography lists 11 sources.
Filename: KS-tourq.wps
Paper Title: The Mystique of Turquoise

'Unspeakable Sadness' vs. 'Disposition of Nebraska Indians' / Theft of Land & Culture
[ send me this paper ]
A 12 page overview of the differences in approaches to ecology which were responsible for the atrocities and wrongs perpetuated on the American Indian in regards to their land and culture by white settlers and governments invading Nebraska and California. Based largely on the books by David J. Wisehart and John Walton. Bibliography lists 2 sources.
Filename: Unspeak.wps
Paper Title: 'Unspeakable Sadness' vs. 'Disposition of Nebraska Indians' / Theft of Land & Culture

Columbus and His Time: The Beginning of the Decimation of Native America
[ send me this paper ]
A 5 page discussion of the impact on Columbus' voyage in 1492 on the indigenous inhabitants of the Americas. Emphasizes that Columbus' motivation was money and fame not any real concern for the land or the peoples he would encounter. Concludes that Columbus' journey was the beginning of the end for pre-contact Native American cultures. Bibliography lists 2 sources.
Filename: PPnaColu.wps
Paper Title: Columbus and His Time: The Beginning of the Decimation of Native America

Contemporary and Historic Issues Confronting Native Americans
[ send me this paper ]
A 6 page overview of the historic and contemporary issues confronting Native Americans. The author condenses these issues into three main categories: health, land and leadership. Background information is provided for each category and the reasons for its importance are emphasized in terms of statistics and historic and future applicability. Bibliography lists 6 sources.
Filename: PPnaIssu.wps
Paper Title: Contemporary and Historic Issues Confronting Native Americans

Native American Land Rights: The Battles of the Western Shoshone and the Dann Family
[ send me this paper ]
A 15 page discussion of the concepts of Native American sovereignty, property rights and land ownership. Outlines the government policies towards these concepts and the history of U.S. dealings with Native Americans in regard to them. Uses the plight of the Western Shoshone and the Dann sisters in particular to illustrate the rights which have been violated. Bibliography lists 9 sources.
Filename: PPNAshoL.wps
Paper Title: Native American Land Rights: The Battles of the Western Shoshone and the Dann Family

Paul Bernal - An American-Indian & Hero
[ send me this paper ]
4 pages on Paul Bernal-- a genuine Native Indian and historical figure presented in McCutchen & Gordon's '[The] Taos Indians and the Battle for Blue Lake.' The writer describes Bernal's heroic qualities, admirable leadership skills, and many accomplishments in helping his people to retain their sacred land which was threatened by the United States government. No Bibliography.
Filename: Paulbern.wps
Paper Title: Paul Bernal - An American-Indian & Hero

Review / Book Focuses Upon Native Indian Technology
[ send me this paper ]
In this 5 page review of Jerry Mander's 'In The Absence Of the Sacred,' the writer looks closely at sections dealing with technology of Native Indians prior to the arrival of Europeans and contrasts (i.e., land cultivation, food storage, shelter, etc;) their nature-orientated society with the greedy, technology-based society of Americans today. No other sources cited.
Filename: Sacred3.wps
Paper Title: Review / Book Focuses Upon Native Indian Technology

The Dawes Act of 1887
[ send me this paper ]
3 pages in length. In the past century with the end of the warfare between the United States and Indian tribes and nations, the United States of America continued its efforts to acquire more land for the Indians. About this time the government and the 'Indian reformers' tried to turn Indians into Americans. A major aspect of this plan was the General Allotment or Dawes Act of 1887 which ended in 1934. The long term effects of the program were not as helpful as many had planned it to be, and in fact the effects of poverty as a result of this government interference can still be felt by the tribes today. Bibliography lists 3 sources.
Filename: JGAdawes.wps
Paper Title: The Dawes Act of 1887

Native American World View
[ send me this paper ]
A 5 page essay discussing the Native American society and conservatism. Issues discussed include world view orientation, impact of the Western traders and other influences on Native American world view and concluding remarks regarding the validity of the conservatism argument. No sources are listed.
Filename: NatAmCo.wps
Paper Title: Native American World View

Native American Survival as it Relates to Alexis de Tocqueville’s Dire Predictions
[ send me this paper ]
A 6 page discussion of Native American survival into contemporary times even in the face of great odds. Notes the perceptions of Alexis de Tocqueville on his trip to the U.S. in 1831 and asserts that even given the dire predictions Tocqueville made, the Native American has managed to not only survive but in many cases to prosper. Relates the economic success of the Mississippi Choctaw as testament to this assertion. Bibliography lists 6 sources. PPnaTocq.rtf
Filename: PPnaTocq.rtf
Paper Title: Native American Survival as it Relates to Alexis de Tocqueville’s Dire Predictions

Marriage / A Comparison Of Three Indigenous Cultures
[ send me this paper ]
A 9 page overview of marriage in three indigenous cultures from three separate geographic areas: The Inca, the Navajo and the Masai. Provides general information about marital responsibilities and ritual. Bibliography lists 9 sources.
Filename: Mrgritua.wps
Paper Title: Marriage / A Comparison Of Three Indigenous Cultures

Gender Roles in Incan Society
[ send me this paper ]
An 8 page overview of the role of women in Incan society. Discusses gender roles and concludes that although some societal responsibilities were dependent on a person's gender, Incan women were an integral part of Incan society and a part which is more aptly viewed as equal rather than inferior. Bibliography lists 11 sources.
Filename: Incgen.wps
Paper Title: Gender Roles in Incan Society

The Decline of a Stabilized Civilization: Incan Life Before European Intervention and After the Fall of Native Control
[ send me this paper ]
This 30 page paper considers the impact of the European intervention in Latin American and the influence on Incan society. This research study maintains support for the thesis that European intervention was not a positive force and resulted in the decline of the already stabilized Incan civilization that resulted from the fall of native control. This research study also incorporates the perspectives of current history students regarding the transformation of Incan culture following the European intervention, and considers how this might impact the sense that current history is based on a revisionist ideal. Bibliography lists 15 sources.
Filename: MHincan.wps
Paper Title: The Decline of a Stabilized Civilization: Incan Life Before European Intervention and After the Fall of Native Control

The Spanish Conquest Of Peru
[ send me this paper ]
The history of Peru certainly didn't begin with the Spanish invasion. Before the soldiers from Spain came in search of gold, land and the glory of God, there was a large and prosperous indigenous population known as the Inca. This 5 page paper gives a brief history of the invasion of Peru by the Spanish. Bibliography lists 3 sources.
Filename: KTspconq.wps
Paper Title: The Spanish Conquest Of Peru

Mayan - Inca Political Structure / Religious Influence Of The Architectural Layout & Planning Of Teotihuacan
[ send me this paper ]
4 pages in length. The writer discusses similarities and differences between the Mayan and Inca political structure, as well as addresses the religious influences of the architectural layout and planning of Teotihuacan. Bibliography lists 3 sources.
Filename: Incamay.wps
Paper Title: Mayan - Inca Political Structure / Religious Influence Of The Architectural Layout & Planning Of Teotihuacan

History & Use of the Mayan Calendar
[ send me this paper ]
8 pages in length. A thorough discussion of Native Indian (Mexico) rituals concerning the use of the sun and moon as instruments to determine calendar dates. The creation, carving, and shaping of actual Mayan calendars is discussed as is the culture's ancient numbering system - figures of dots and bars based on five. Annual calendar cycles and chronology are explained in great detail. Bibliography lists 5 sources.
Filename: Mayancal.wps
Paper Title: History & Use of the Mayan Calendar

South-American Native Tribes
[ send me this paper ]
A 10 page research paper discussing the history, culture, anthropology, and social evolution of three groups of Native Indians : The Yanomamo (regarded as one of the most violent societies on Earth !), the Zapotecs (known for architecture & urban development), and the Yucatecs (relevant to Mayans) Bibliography lists 7 sources.
Filename: Zapotec.rtf
Paper Title: South-American Native Tribes

The Developmental Trajectories Of The Basin Of Mexico & The Mayan Lowlands
[ send me this paper ]
6 pages in length. The writer discusses similarities and differences as they relate to the developmental trajectories of the basin of Mexico and the Maya Lowlands, as well as addresses Copan involvement in the Mayan collapse. Bibliography lists 2 sources.
Filename: Meximay.wps
Paper Title: The Developmental Trajectories Of The Basin Of Mexico & The Mayan Lowlands

The Mayan and Their Interaction with the Franciscan Missionaries
[ send me this paper ]
A 5 page discussion of the interactions of the Maya and the Franciscan Missionaries. Presents the view that the Franciscan goal revolved around two issues: conversion of the Maya to Christianity and the production of revenue for Spain. Bibliography lists 5 sources.
Filename: PPmayan.wps
Paper Title: The Mayan and Their Interaction with the Franciscan Missionaries

Ethnohistory of Sitting Bull and the Lakota Sioux: A Book Review
[ send me this paper ]
A 7 page overview and critique of “Sitting Bull and the Paradox of the Lakota Nationhood”, an ethnohistory written by Gary Clayton Anderson and published by Talman Company in 1996. Condenses the life of the Lakota Sioux during the time of Sitting Bull. Illuminates their relationship with the U.S. government as well as aspects of their culture such as the Ghost Dance and the importance of Sitting Bull in this culture. No additional sources are listed.
Filename: PPnaSitB.wps
Paper Title: Ethnohistory of Sitting Bull and the Lakota Sioux: A Book Review

Lakota Woman
[ send me this paper ]
A 6 page paper summarizing the key points of the book of the same name, written in 1990 by Mary Crow Dog, a Lakota Indian. The book describes not only the challenges faced by Indians as a result of the intrusion of the federal government into Indian life, but specifically tells about the 1973 siege of the historic site of Wounded Knee. No additional sources cited.
Filename: Lakota.wps
Paper Title: Lakota Woman

If this paper is not what YOU want,
CLICK HERE
to return to the subject list
-or-
SEARCH FOR YOUR PAPER TOPIC BY KEYWORD:

Rather Just Have Us Write Something NEW?
Something That....
More Closely Matches YOUR Topic?