Native American Culture Summary

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Anthony Wallace showed through stages how the change in culture can occur and bring about new ethics, practices, celebrations and routines. The transformation of the Haudenosaunee Confederacy came in different stages and created a tradition among the Iroquois people. Oral tradition of the revelation gives meaning and understanding to how this system is established in today’s society. Stage II--- Wallace’s revitalization movements discusses the how stress was a negative burden that was floating around among individuals through needs having to be met. Along with their needs there were changes in the community that were having a dramatic impact on comfort zones. The first was the Guerilla war that caused a severe population…show more content…
Massive loss of lives from war, epidemic, disease, and murder led to a struggle to maintain the values that were drivers of the culture. Above internal issues was the arrival of white society which began to strategically break down the structure of Native American communities by targeting their political system. Another distraction at this time was the growth of alcohol in Native American society and it was a problem in many high ranked officials. Leaders such as Red Jacket, Hendrick Aupaumut, Young King, Logan, Skenandoa, and Handsome Lake were all notorious drunkards, which showed poor leadership and hostile environments. Drinking not only took a toll on leaders but also on the society as a whole because money for meats, vegetables, dry goods, and hardware was being spent on alcohol. Another example that created cultural distortion was the white society inflicting violence along with alcohol. The White society was targeting Native American spiritual and communal ties as areas to infiltrate and brake…show more content…
There was a point where the society had to be checked and revaluated and Wallace described it is Six Tasks. The first was restructuring the subsystems and to convey the message to the tribe Handsome Lake talked about world destruction. He said the believers in Gaiiwio would be spared and he also emphasized the meaning of sin and ways to avoid sin. Another aspect of life was the power of dreams and to find meaning in every part because it happened for a reason. Overall the first task was to believe in something bigger and you will suffer if the Gaiiwio is not followed. Ethical code was trying to be developed but to reach revitalization it must be communicated to the Indians with meaning and understanding. With the white society following religion Henry Simmons told Handsome Lake that the Indian and the White Man were made from the same flesh and blood by the Great Spirit. Also Quakers talked of experienced visions of Heaven and Hell similar to the vision of Handsome Lake, both of these examples gave the people confidence in Handsome Lake’s movement. After the communication of the traditional system returning in new form there were many followers and the leaders had to develop an organization. The organization was in hierarchical form consisting of three key levels and the first simple one was Handsome
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