By the 1850s almost all Native American tribes, approximately 360,000 in number, lived to the west of the Mississippi River. government’s policies towards Native Americans in the second half of the nineteenth century were influenced by the desire to expand westward into regions occupied by these Native American tribes. It took the shape of cash arrangements, barter, and notoriously, treaties which were almost uniformly neglected once the Indians were pushed off the territory in question. And so began the process of pushing the American Indian out of the way. Kings and queens from thousands of miles away were restless to find additional resources, and some colonists came for independence and adventure. But the pressure to push inland followed soon after. Thus followed years of comparative peace as the settlers got themselves established on American soil. But that ultimately gave way to trade, since the Europeans who came ashore here learned their survival was doubtful with no Indian help.

At first, they skirmished with the surprised Indians of America’s eastern seaboard. The English, French and Spanish rushed to slice up the “New World” by sending over poorly prepared colonists as fast as possible.

As those leaders heard back from their explorers, the drive to colonize spread like wildfire. When European leaders sent the first vessels in our direction, the intention was to discover new resources – however the quality of weather and the bounty of everything from timber to wildlife soon changed their tune. They were at peace with this beautiful continent and intensely connected to nature. While there was unavoidable tribal conflict, that was simply a slight blemish in the history of our ancestors. Archaeologists have unearthed highly elaborate structures and public works. It’s a tale of beautiful art and deep spirituality. And that history is fascinating.įrom Mayan and Incan ruins, from the mounds left in the central and southern regions of what is today the U.S. Before any white man set foot on this territory, it was settled by the forefathers of bands we now call Sioux, or Cherokee, or Iroquois.įor centuries, the American Indian developed its culture and heritage without disturbance. Far before the terms Native American or Indian were necessary, the tribes were spread throughout the Americas.

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